Women across Malta are struggling to find Desogestrel after a shipment delay left the widely used contraceptive out of stock for weeks.As reported by Times of Malta, both the branded pill Lamya and its generic version are currently unavailable, forcing some women to either source the medication from abroad or switch to alternatives that may not be suitable for them.Desogestrel is a progestogen-only pill (POP), meaning it doesn’t contain oestrogen. It’s commonly prescribed not just for contraception, but also to manage endometriosis, regulate hormones, and ease heavy or painful periods.Because it doesn’t include oestrogen, it’s often the safer option for women at risk of blood clots, those with migraines, high blood pressure or those who are breastfeeding.One woman said she fears what stopping the medication could do to her body after recently switching from the combined pill on medical advice.“My greatest fear is stopping the POP after spending my adult life on the combined pill without a break. It could wreak havoc on my system,” she said.Gynaecologist Isabel Stabile said at least 50 of her patients have already raised concerns.“There are probably hundreds of women in Malta now unable to obtain the contraceptive they need. Usually, they’re taking this pill for a reason: breastfeeding, migraines, high blood pressure, thrombosis risks. Now these women have been left high and dry.” she said.Another doctor noted that for some patients, switching back to combined pills isn’t an option due to the risk of thrombosis.Importers have attributed the shortage to delays in shipments. The medication had already faced supply issues late last year, briefly returned to shelves, and has now gone out of stock again.There is currently no equivalent product available on the market, though another progestogen-only pill, Azalia, is expected to arrive in the coming weeks and may help ease the situation.For now, many women are left in limbo, highlighting how crucial access to consistent medication can be for both reproductive and overall health.Credit: Fertility Family•