Gestodene

Gestodene is a progestogen hormonal contraceptive. Products containing gestodene include:
 * Melodene-15, Mirelle, and Minesse which contain 15 mcg of ethinylestradiol and 60 mcg of gestodene;
 * Meliane, Sunya, Femodette, Gedarel 20/150 and Millinette 20/75 which contain 20 mcg of ethinylestradiol and 75 mcg of gestodene; and
 * Gynera, Minulet, Femoden, Femodene, Katya and Millinette 30/75 which contain 30 mcg of ethinylestradiol and 75 mcg of gestodene.

Benefits
Gestodene is androgenically neutral, meaning that contraceptive pills containing gestodene do not exhibit the androgenic side effects (e.g. acne, hirsutism, weight gain) often associated with second-generation contraceptive pills, such as those containing levonorgestrel.

The synthetic estrogen dosage in third-generation contraceptive pills (including those containing gestodene) is lower than that in second-generation oral contraceptives, reducing the likelihood of weight gain, breast tenderness and migraine.

Third-generation oral contraceptives are also suitable for use in patients with diabetes or lipid disorders because they have minimal impact on blood glucose levels and the lipid profile.

Adverse effects
Women who take oral contraceptives containing gestodene are 5.6 times as likely to develop thromboembolism than women who do not take any contraceptive pill, and 1.6 times as likely to develop thromboembolism compared to women taking oral contraceptives containing levonorgestrel.