What is Gestodene?

Gestodene is a potent synthetic progesterone called progestogen.  Gestodene is almost always used in the combined pill alongside synthetic oestrogens and is exclusively used orally.

Gestodene is thought to have no or weak androgenic activity, so it’s often recommended for use by people who prefer a less-androgenic contraceptive¹. In some countries, it’s also used as a form of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).

How does Gestodene work

Gestodene stops you from ovulating. When it’s used alongside ethinyl estradiol (a synthetic oestrogen) it also makes your cervical fluid too thick for sperm to pass through, and makes your uterine lining too thin for a fertilised egg to implant. All these essentially prevent a pregnancy from occuring. 

What is it used in?

Combined pill

• Femodene
• Katya 30/75 
• Millinette 30/75

Is Gestodene androgenic?

Yes, but it is weak¹. (Check out our ‘Androgens’ blog for more info on what this means).

Gestodene side effects

As gestodene is only used in combined contraceptives with ethinyl estradiol (synthetic oestrogen), it’s hard to say which of the reported side effects it is responsible for, and which are down to its fellow hormone. It is hard to know the specific gestodene side effects as it is not used alone. When use as an combined ethinylestradiol gestodene pill, the following side effects have been reported^{2 3}:

• Breast tenderness or enlargement
• Mood changes
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Changes to your period
• Changes to libido
• Increased vaginal discharge

As Gestodene is a third generation progestogen, it is thought to carry higher risk of a venous thromboembolism which is a blood clot. 

As of September 2024, in the Lowdown Femodene users, 100% complained of dizziness, 100% lost their sex drive, 100% had a negative impact on mood, 50% had vaginal dryness and 50% experienced period-like cramps. In Kayta 30/75 users, 50% complained of dizziness, 50% lost their sex drive, 50% had a negative impact on mood, 50% had vaginal spotting and 50% had headaches. In Millinette 30/75 users, 62% experienced vaginal discharge, 50% lost their sex drive, 31% had a negative impact on mood, and 54% had lighter periods.

Desogestrel vs Gestodene

Desogestrel and Gestodene are both synthetic progesterones. They are both 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. Gestodene is not used alone in contraception, commonly found in the combined oral contraceptive (COCP) while desogestrel is used alone in progesterone-only pill (POP). Some studies have found that gestodene might provide better cycle control and less bleeding than desogestrel⁴. 

Drospirenone vs Gestodene

Drospirenone can be used in both COCP and POP contraceptive preparations. Drospirenone is a synthetic progesterone, but works differently in both COCPs and POPs. When used in COCP is an ant-mineralocorticoid which reduces the amount of sodium reabsorbed by the kidneys and in POPs is has antigonadotropic properties which suppresses the luteinising hormone, preventing an ovarian follicle from growing. Drospirenone is a fourth-generation synthetic progestogen and has higher venous thromboembolism risks.