The Contraceptive Pill

The pill, as it is known in its abbreviated term, was introduced in the UK on the NHS in 1961, originally for married women until 1967 when it was made available for all women who did not wish to conceive, and is now taken by over 3 million women in Britain between the ages of 16 and 49. The pill is available in 32 different varieties and worldwide is taken by around 100 million women. Correctly administered, it is reported to be 99% effective. Any initial experienced side-effects can be swerved by alternating the variety of contraception you ingest.

Overall, it is regarded as extremely safe by the medical profession with the positives surpassing the negatives at reducing the risks. The pill subdues the chances of cancer of the ovaries, uterus and colon. It could also form a defence against pelvic inflammatory disease and reduce the risk of fibroids, ovarian cysts and non-cancerous breast disease. In general, there is no best contraceptive pill. You will just have to find the one which is right for you. The following covers a vast range on Contraceptive Pill’s currently available for female contraception.



Brevinor

Brevinor is a combined oral contraceptive, commonly known as a “birth control pill”. This pill contains both an oestrogen and progestogen hormone. Oral contraceptives which belong to this group produce their birth control or contraceptive effect by preventing ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary) during each menstrual cycle. Combined oral contraceptives also cause changes to the mucus of the cervix and the lining of the womb contributing to the contraceptive action.

How Brevinor works?

In simplest terms, Brevinor is a combined oral contraceptive pill which you take to prevent you from becoming pregnant.

Oestrogen - A powerful female sex hormone which regulates into women through growth at puberty by stimulating breast growth, laying down fatty deposits, thickening the vagina and causing it to secrete mucus. This affects the appearance of the skin, whether bones are strong and healthy and can also protect against heart disease. It also regulates the menstrual cycle.

Progestogen - A natural or synthetic steroid hormone which helps to maintain pregnancy and prevents further ovulation during pregnancy.

Before you take Brevinor Brevinor is not always suitable for all women so before you decide to take Brevinor, make sure your doctor is aware if you have any of the following conditions:

• Blood clots in the legs, blood clots in varicose veins, the lungs, the brain elsewhere

• Heart attack, stroke, angina

• High levels of fats in your blood

• Cancer of the breast, cervix, vagina or womb During pregnancy

• Itching of the whole body- pruritus

• Jaundice (no explanation found by the doctor as to why)

• Pemphigoid gestationis (a rash previously known as herpes gestationis).

• Certain types of jaundice (Dubin-Johnson or Rotor syndrome).

• Bad migraines

• Vaginal bleeding (no explanation found by the doctor as to why)

• Liver tumours

• Liver disease

If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant then you should not take the pill.

How to take Brevinor

• Take the first pill on your first day of bleeding. This is the day when your period starts. If you are not having periods, ask your doctor or clinic when you should start taking your pill.

• Take the pill marked with the correct day of the week

• You will be protected at once as long as you take a pill every day

• You can take the pill at a time that suits you, but you must take it at about the same time every day

• Take a pill every day until you finish a blister strip

• If you cannot start the pill on the first day of your period you may start to take it on any day up to the fifth day

However, if you do this, you may not be protected for the first seven days, so you should use another method of contraception such as the condom during those days. Once you have finished all 21 pills, stop for seven days. You will probably bleed during some or all of these seven days. Then, start the next blister strip. Do this whether or not you are still bleeding. You will always start the next blister strip on the same day of the week. You are protected during the seven day break, but only if you start the next blister strip on time. The first pill in your blister strip is the worst pill of all to miss or take late.

Your doctor or clinic must give you regular check-ups whilst taking Brevinor for your own well-being and health to ensure it is functioning properly. Your blood pressure will be checked beforehand and then at regular whilst taking the pill. If your blood pressure increases your doctor may tell you to stop taking Brevinor. They may also check your breasts and reproductive organs, including taking a cervical smear at regular intervals, if this is considered necessary by the doctor.

Tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions.A migraine, asthma, epilepsy, heart or kidney disease, diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension) or you have a previous history of these conditions. This is because the pill may cause fluid retention which can make these conditions worse.

Possible side effects of Brevinor

All medicines can cause sometimes cause problems. If worried about side effects it is best to discuss this with your doctor. Some possible side effects could involve nausea, stomach upsets, tender breasts, weight gain, changes in appetite, headaches, depression, high blood pressure, and changes in the way your body breaks down sugars, fats or vitamins.

Stop taking your pills immediately and tell your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• A sudden sharp or severe pain in the chest

• Suddenly become short of breath or breathing is painful

• Coughed up blood painful or inflamed veins in your legs

• A crushing type of chest pain or your chest feels heavy

• A very first attack of a migraine (a bad headache with sickness)

• Migraines which get worse, especially if your sight is affected, you see flashing lights, your limbs feel weak, you lose the sensation or feel a different sensation in your limbs, or you fit

• Sudden and unusual severe headaches

• A problem with your sight or speech

• Swollen arms or legs

• Jaundice (your skin or the whites of your eyes look yellow)

• A severe rash

• Swelling or tenderness in your stomach.

If any of these side effects get serious you must contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

 


Cerazette

Cerazette is used to prevent pregnancy. Cerazette is a progestogen only pill (mini pill). This pill contains a small amount of one type of female sex hormone, the progestogen desogestrel. Most of these pills function primarily by preventing the sperm cells from entering the womb.

How does Cerazette work?

Cerazette is different from other mini-pills in having a dose which in most cases helps to prevent the egg cell from ripening. This makes it a highly effective contraceptive. Desogestrel functions by playing the role of primarily preventing the release of an egg from the ovary. This also plays a part of increasing the thickness of the natural mucus at the neck of the womb, making it more challenging for the sperm to cross the vagina into the womb. This leads to a lower probability of any successful fertilisation of any eggs. In addition to this, it also changes the quality of the womb lining which prevents successful implantation of any fertilised eggs onto the wall of the womb, thereby preventing pregnancy.

Before you take Cerazette you must tell your doctor if you have;

• Ever had breast cancer

• You have liver cancer

• You ever had thrombosis

• You have diabetes

• You suffer from an epilepsy

• You have tuberculosis

• You have high blood pressure

• You have or have had chloasma (yellowish-brown pigmentation patches on the skin, particularly of the face

How to take Cerazette

• Each strip contains 28 tablets which is a 4 weeks supply

• Take the tablet each day at the same time. Swallow the tablet whole, with water

• Arrows are printed on the front of the strip, between the tablets

• When taking a new strip of Cerazette, make sure you take a tablet from the top row and don’t start with just any tablet because it may not work properly

• Continue to take one tablet every day of the week until the pack is empty; always follow the direction indicated by the arrows. Looking at the back of the packaging will enable you to easily check if you have already taken your tablet on a particular day

• When a strip becomes empty, you must start with a new strip of Cerazette on the next day with no interruption and without waiting for a bleed

Possible side effects of Cerazette

• Vaginal bleeding

• Mood changes

• Depressed mood

• Decreased sexual drive

• Headache

• Nausea

• Acne

• Breast Pain

• Irregular/no periods

• Weight Increase

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea

If any of these side effects get serious you must contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

 


Cilest

Cilest is a combined oral contraceptive pill which is taken to stop you from becoming pregnant. Cilest tablets contain two active ingredients, oestrogen (ethinyloestradiol synthetic form) and progestogen (norgestimate synthetic form) which are two female sex hormones.

How does Cilest work?

These combined oral contraceptives function by over-riding the normal menstrual cycle. During a woman’s regular menstrual cycle, the levels of the sex hormones vary throughout each month. These hormones work by causing an egg to be released by the ovaries and prepare the lining of the womb for a possible pregnancy.

You may also need other checks such as a breast examination but only if necessary. When you are taking the pill you will need regular check-ups with your doctor especially when you need another prescription of the pill. You should also go for regular cervical smear tests, check your breasts and nipples every month for changes if any irregularities inform your doctor immediately, if you need a blood test inform your doctor immediately that you are taking the pill as it can affect test results, if you are going to have an operation make sure your doctor knows. If this is the case you may need to stop taking the pill about 4-6 weeks before to reduce the risk of a blood clot and your doctor will tell you when you can take the pill again.

How to take Cilest

Cilest is a 21 day pill where you take each one for 21 days, followed by 7 days where you take no pills.

• Cilest comes in a strip of 21 pills, each marked with a day of the week

• Take your pill at the same time every day

• Start by taking a pill marked with the correct day of the week

• Follow the direction of the arrows on the strip. Take one pill each day.

• Swallow each pill whole. With water if necessary and do not chew the pill. After you have taken all 21 pills which are in the strip, then you have 7 days where you take no pills. Within just a few days after taking the 21 pills, you should experience a withdrawal bleed similar to a period. During the 7 days, you should not for any reasons need to use extra contraception as long as you have taken your pills correctly and start the next strip of pills on time. Furthermore, start taking your next strip after 7 days even if you are still bleeding. As long as you make sure you take Cilest correctly, it will work effectively.

Common side effects of Cilest

If you are worried about any of the side effects being experienced then you must immediately inform your doctor.

• Headache

• Stomach problems

• Bleeding and spotting between periods

• Painful or unusual periods

• Migraine

• Swollen hands, ankles or feet

• Depression

• Insomnia

• Acne

• Painful breasts

• Muscle problems

• Feeling weak

• Weight gain

• Vaginal problems

No menstrual periods If any of these side effects get serious you must contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately. Dianette Dianette contains an oestrogen and anti-oestrogen. Androgens are hormones which stimulate hair growth and the grease glands in your skin. If too much androgen is produced, sensitivity to the effect, the grease glands may produce too much sebum. This can cause the grease glands to become blocked, which can become infected and inflamed causing acne spots.

 


Dianette

Dianette is a tablet taken by women who have severe acne or excess hair growth. It contains cyproterone acetate and ethinylestradiol, and also functions as an effective contraceptive pill.

How does Dianette work?

Dianette helps to stop the androgens affecting your skin and helps to reduce the amount of androgens produced. Dianette is a 21 day pill where you take one each per 21 days, followed by 7 days when you do not take any pills. This is taken as directed to prevent pregnancy in women.

How to take Dianette

• Take your pill at the same time every day

• Start by taking a pill marked with the correct day of the week

• Follow the direction of the arrows on the strip

• Take one pill per day until finished all 21 pills

• Swallow each pill whole with water if necessary, do not swallow the pill

After taking all 21 pills you have 7 days where you take no pills. If you are relying on this medicine to prevent pregnancy, always take Dianette as described. Take your pills correctly and check with your doctor if you are unsure, you will not need to use extra contraception as long as you are taking the pills as instructed safely for contraception purpose.

Possible side effects of Dianette

• Skin irritation (burning, itching, peeling)

• Oily skin

• Dry skin

• Diarrhoea

• Stomach Pain

• Severe Acne If any of these symptoms occur inform your doctor immediately or pharmacist or nurse

 


Femodette

Femodette is a combined oral contraceptive pill is an oral contraceptive pill taken to stop you from getting pregnant. This is a low dose contraceptive which contains two types of female sex hormones, oestrogen and progestogen.

How does Femodette work?

The way in which these hormones function is by;

• Preventing an egg being released from the ovaries

• Making the fluid (mucus) in your cervix thicker making it more difficult for the sperm to enter into the womb

• Preventing the lining of your womb thickening enough for an egg to grow in it

The benefits of taking the pill are it is one of the most reliable reversible contraception methods if used correctly, it doesn’t interrupt sex, it usually makes your periods regular, lighter and less painful and it may help with pre-menstrual symptoms.

Femodette is a 21 day pill and you take one per 21 days, following 7 days where you take no pills.

• Take your pill at the same time every day

• Begin by taking a pill marked with the correct day of the week

• Follow the direction of the arrows on the strip

Take one pill each day, until you have finished all 21 pills

• Swallow each pill whole, with water if necessary and do not chew the pills. After you have taken all 21 pills which are in the strip, then you have 7 days where you take no pills. Within just a few days after taking the 21 pills, you should experience a withdrawal bleed similar to a period. During the 7 days, you should not for any reasons need to use extra contraception as long as you have taken your pills correctly and start the next strip of pills on time. Furthermore, start taking your next strip after 7 days even if you are still bleeding. As long as you make sure you take Femodette correctly, it will work effectively.

Possible side effects of Femodette

• Bleeding and spotting between your periods can sometimes occur for the first few months but usually, stops once your body has adjusted to Femodette. If this continues, becomes heavy or starts again, contact your doctor

• Headaches

• Feeling sick, being sick, upset stomach

• Sore breasts

• Depressive moods, loss of interest in sex

• Putting on weight or losing weight

• Chloasma (yellow brown patches on the skin)

• Poor tolerance of contact lenses

If any of these side effects get serious you must contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

 


Femodene ED

Femodene ED tablets are a type of hormonal contraception with two types of tablets in each 28 day pack. The small Femodene ED tablets contain two active ingredients which are ethinyloestradiol and gestodene. The seven large Femodene ED tablets do not contain any active ingredients.

How does Femodene ED work?

The daily dose of hormones taken in the pill function by tricking your body into believing that the ovulation has already occurred. This helps to prevent an egg from ripening and being released from the ovaries each month. The hormones increase the level of thickness of the natural mucus at the neck of the womb, making it more difficult for the sperm to cross from the vagina into the womb and reach an egg.

They also change the quality of the womb lining (endometrium) reducing the possibility of a fertilised egg to be implanted in the womb. Femodene ED is a combined oral contraceptive pill and is taken to stop you from getting pregnant. It is a low dose contraceptive which contains two types of female sex hormones, oestrogen and progestogen.

The way in which this functions is by

• Preventing an egg being released from your ovaries

• Making the fluid (mucus) in your cervix thicker, making it more difficult for the sperm to enter into the womb

• Preventing the lining of your womb thickening enough for an egg to grow inside

How to take Femodene ED

Femodene ED is taken every day without a break. First, you take an active pill each day for 21 days followed by an inactive pill each day for 7 days. Femodene packs are designed to help you to remember how to take your pills. The pack contains 3 foil memo strips with 3 sets of 7 self-adhesive strips showing the days of the week. Each foil memo strip contains 28 tablets: 21 small active tablets in 3 rows and 7 larger inactive tablets in the last row.

• Take Femodene ED every day for 28 days

• Find the set of self-adhesive strips. Each strip starts with a different day of the week. Peel off a strip that starts with your starting day.

• Stick the strip along the top of the foil-memo strip so that the first day is above with the pin which is marked start

• You can now view which day you have to take each tablet

• Take your pill at the same time each day

• Follow the direction of the arrows on the strip. Take one pill each day, until you have finished all 28 pills

• Swallow each pill whole, with water if necessary. Do not chew the pill. Then start using your next strip of Femodene ED and do not leave a gap between the packs. As long as you take the medication correctly as followed, you will always start each new strip on the same day of the week.

Possible side effects Femodene ED

• Bleeding and spotting between periods

• Headaches • Feeling sick, vomiting, stomach aches

• Sore breasts

• Depressive moods, loss of interest in sex

• Putting on weight or losing weight

• Chloasma If any of these side effects get serious you must contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately

 


Logynon

Logynon tablets are a type of hormonal contraception pill. They contain two types of female sex hormones which are oestrogen and progestogen. These hormones help to stop females from getting pregnant.

How does Logynon work?

The way in which this functions is by;

• Preventing an egg being released from your ovaries

• Making the fluid (mucus) in your cervix thicker, making it more difficult for the sperm to enter into the womb

• Preventing the lining of your womb thickening enough for an egg to grow inside

Do not take Logynon if;

• You are pregnant or might be pregnant

• You have cancer affected by sex hormones such as cancers of the breast or womb lining or if you ever had these conditions

• You have vaginal bleeding unexplainable by your doctor

• You or anyone else in your family has experienced problems with their blood circulation,

• You have any condition which makes you at higher risk of a blood clot

• You have abnormal red blood cells

• You have disorders of blood fat

• You have ever had severe liver disease

• You have certain types of jaundice

• You have ever had liver tumours

• Severe diabetes affecting your blood vessels

How to take Logynon

Take Logynon every day for 21 days. This comes in strips of 21 pills (6 are light brown, 5 are white and 10 are ochre-coloured tablets each marked with a day of the week.

• Take your pill at the same time each day

• Begin by taking pill number 1 and mark that day of the week under the heading “I took my first pill on” by piercing the small unnumbered foil disc. This will remind you which day you began taking the course of the pills.

• Follow the direction of the arrows on the strip. Take one pill each day, until you have finished all 21 pills

• Swallow each pill whole, with water if necessary and do not chew the pill

Possible side effects of Logynon

• Bleeding and spotting between your periods

• Headaches

• Feeling sick, vomiting and stomach aches

• Sore breasts

• Depressive moods

• Putting on weight or losing weight

• Chloasma If any of these side effects get serious you must contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately

 


Mercilon

Mercilon tablets are a type of hormonal contraception which contains ethinyloestradiol ( a synthetic version of oestrogen) and desogestrel ( a synthetic version of progesterone). These are both the naturally occurring female sex hormones.

How does Mercilon work?

This functions by over-riding the normal female menstrual cycle. The hormones work by tricking your body into believing that the ovulation has already happened. This helps to prevent an egg from ripening and being released from the ovaries each month. The hormones also help to increase the thickness of the natural mucus at the neck of the womb, making it more difficult for the sperm to cross from the vagina into the womb and reach the egg. They also change the quality of the womb lining, resulting in it being less likely for the fertilised egg to implant.

How to take Mercilon

This is a monophasic pill which means that each tablet includes the same dose of hormones in them. One tablet is taken every day for 21 days with a 7 day break from the pill-taking. In the duration of your 7 day break, the hormone levels in your blood drop, resulting in a withdrawal bleed similar to your period. After the 7 days of taking the pill, you then start the next pack. The tablets come in a calendar pack marked with the days of the week to help you to remember to take a pill every day for 3 weeks, followed by one week of not taking the pills.

You must remain protected from pregnancy during your pill-free week, as long as you took the pills correctly and you start the next packet on time and it is working effectively. You should try to remember to take each pill at the same time every day helping you to keep a clear schedule of when to take it. Each tablet should be swallowed with water. You should take the pill on the first day of your period helping to protect you from pregnancy immediately and you won’t need to use any additional methods of contraception.

Possible side effects of Mercilon

• Headache

• Putting on weight

• Breast problems, such as tender or painful breasts

• Depression or mood changes

• Stomach problems such as nausea, abdominal pain Uncommon

• Migraine (see doctor as soon as possible if this is your first migraine or its worse than usual, or if a headache is severe, unusual or long-lasting)

• Fluid retention (swollen hands, ankles or feet)

• Decreased sexual desire

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea

• Skin problems such as rashes or hives

• Breast enlargement If any of these side effects get serious you must contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

 


Microgynon 30

Microgynon 30 is a combined oral contraceptive pill which contains two types of female sex hormones which are oestrogen and progestogen.

How does Microgynon 30 work?

These hormones help to stop getting you pregnant and function by;

• Preventing an egg being released from your ovaries

• Making the fluid (mucus) in your cervix thicker, making it more difficult for the sperm to enter into the womb

• Preventing the lining of your womb thickening enough for an egg to grow inside the womb

How to take Microgynon 30

Microgynon 30 comes in strips of 21 pills, each marked with the day of the week. The dosage is to take Microgynon 30 every day for 21 days.

• Take your pill at the same time every day

• Start by taking the pill marked with the correct day of the week

• Follow the direction of the arrows on the strip. Take one pill each day, until you have finished all 21 pills

• Swallow each pill whole, with water if necessary and do not chew the pill

Possible side effects of Microgynon 30

• Feeling sick

• Stomach ache

• Putting on weight

• Headaches

• Depressive moods or mood swings

• Sore of painful breasts Uncommon side effects

• Being sick or stomach upsets

• Fluid retention

• Migraine

• Loss of interest in sex

• Breast enlargement

• Skin rash, which may be itchy If any of these side effects get serious you must contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately

 


Norgeston

Norgeston is a form of a contraceptive pill that is known as the “Mini pill”. - a low-strength version of the ordinary combined Pill - or progestogen-only pill (POP). It contains levonorgestrel, a synthetic replica of the hormone progestogen for birth control.It differs from the combined contraceptive pill because it only contains one hormone.

How does Norgeston work?

Norgeston contains 30 micrograms of levonorgestrel, which is a progestogen derivative. Progestogen is a natural hormone in your body that controls the menstrual cycle and the pill maintains a constant flow of this hormone to prevent you from becoming pregnant.

How to take Norgeston

Take Norgeston every day for 35 days as Norgeston comes in strips of 35 pills, each marked with a day of the week. Take Norgeston daily at the same time if possible. Make sure that you are always within three hours with a pill otherwise the contraceptive impact could be ineffective. Begin by taking a pill marked with the correct day of the week. Take one pill each day, until you have finished all 35 pills. Then start your next strip of Norgeston the following day after finishing the previous pack, again taking a pill marked with the day of the week. Always start the new strip on time.

Norgeston Side Effects

Norgeston can present side effects, different ones will appear in different people and not everybody who takes Norgeston gets them. Tell your doctor, pharmacist or family planning nurse if you are worried about any side effects which you think may be due to Norgeston. Serious side effects – see a doctor straight away Signs of a blood clot:

• A migraine for the first time

• A migraine that is worse than normal

• Unusually frequent or severe headaches any sudden changes to your eyesight (such as loss of vision or blurred vision)

• Any sudden changes to your hearing, speech, sense of smell, taste or touch pain or swelling in your leg

• Stabbing pain when you breathe coughing for no apparent reason pain and tightness in the chest sudden weakness or numbness in one side or part of your body dizziness or fainting

 


Noriday

The main ingredient Norethisterone (0.35 milligrams) prevents pregnancy by strengthening the cervical mucus of the womb (the cervix).

How does Noriday work?

This is so that sperm are blocked from entering the womb. Noriday also affects the quality of the womb lining, so if an egg is released during ovulation, it is unable to glue itself to the outline of the womb and grow. It's also thought that Noriday tablets can prevent the ovaries from releasing eggs. Like all mini pills, Noriday contains only the synthetic hormone progestogen and no oestrogen.

How to take Noriday

Noriday is a 28-day mini pill, meaning it is consumed for the entire continuous duration of your cycle without any breaks between calendar strips. If you take it on the first day of your period, you will be immediately protected and shouldn't require any other form of contraception. It can be taken up to the fifth day of your period but will cause a seven day delay for it to have the desired effect. Noriday contraceptive pills should be taken without a break between packs, even if you have not experienced a bleed, otherwise, risk of becoming pregnant becomes substantially higher.

Possible side effects of Noriday

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Noriday include:

• Irregular bleeding, which may be heavy or light or you may have no menstrual bleeding at all

• Other side effects include a headache, acne, mood alterations, breast pain, nausea and weight gain

 


Norimin

Similiar to many contraceptive pills, Norimin compounds three mechanisms to counter-act pregnancy. These structures are what make the contraceptive pill so effective. For example, if one of the mechanisms cease to functioning, the other two act as a contingency off-setting pregnancy. Norimin depends on a consistent flow of the hormones so missing pills will undermine the effectiveness.

How does Norimin work?

With Norimin each tablet has the same dose of hormones in it. One tablet is taken every day for 21 days and you then have a seven day break from pill-taking. During your seven day break, the levels of the hormones in your blood drop, which results in a withdrawal bleed that is similar to your normal period. You start the next pack after the seven pill-free days are up, even if you are still bleeding. 

How to take Norimin

The tablets come in a calendar pack marked with days of the week to help you remember to take a pill every day for three weeks, followed by a week off. You will still be protected against pregnancy in your pill-free week, provided you took all the pills correctly, you start the next packet on time and nothing else happened that could make the pill less effective (eg sickness, diarrhoea, or taking certain other medicines - see below). You should try and take your pill at the same time every day; this will help you remember to take it. Each tablet should be swallowed with a drink. They can be taken either with or without food. Ideally, you should start taking this pill on day one of your menstrual cycle (the first day of your period). This will protect you from pregnancy immediately and you won't need to use any additional methods of contraception.

Possible side effects of Norimin

Healthy women who are non-smokers run near to no risk of serious side effects with Norimin. Occasionally, some lesser side effects might be apparent. If these continue for over 12 weeks, it is advised to consult a medical professional or your GP.

The following side effects may occur when using Norimin

• Breakthrough bleeding

• Change in vaginal discharge

• Nausea and vomiting

 


Norinyl-1

Norinyl-1 mimics the normal menstrual cycle. The daily dose of hormones in Norinyl-1 provides three ways to prevent pregnancy. Norinyl-1 tricks your reproductive system to believe that ovulation has already occurred, so it prevents ovulation. The hormones affect the production of natural cervical mucus. It works by enhancing the strength of this mucus. The change in condition of the endometrial band restricts implantation of a fertilized egg. This combination hormone medication is used to prevent pregnancy.

How does Norinyl-1 work?

It contains 2 hormones: a progestin and an estrogen. It works mainly by preventing the release of an egg (ovulation) during your menstrual cycle. It also makes vaginal fluid thicker to help prevent sperm from reaching an egg (fertilization) and changes the lining of the uterus (womb) to prevent attachment of a fertilized egg. If a fertilized egg does not attach to the uterus, it passes out of the body.

How to take Norinyl-1

One tablet should be taken for 21 days with intermission following after 7 days. You will menstruate during that period. Then you will start the next strip, even if you still slightly bleeding. Take the pill every day at the same time, inconsistent use may alter the contraceptive effect negatively.

Possible side effects of Norinyl-1

Most users of Norinyl-1 report zero side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Feeling more or less hungry

• Dizziness

• Weight gain

• Headache

• Upset stomach or throwing up

• Cramps

• Bloating

• Enlarged breasts

• Breast soreness

• Period (menstrual) changes

This medicine may cause dark patches of skin on your face. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen and wear clothing and eyewear that protects you from the sun These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. For a complete overview please read the leaflet (add link to patient leaflet).



Ovranette

Ovranette contains the same active ingredients as Microgynon 30. Ovranette is a reliable choice of contraceptive pill as it is easy to take and effective in 99% of cases.

How does Ovranette work?

Ovranette functions by providing the body with a measure of artificial progestogen & oestrogen, which works in three ways. It stops ovulation, changes the womb lining and ring fences sperm from accessing the womb, all contribute to preventing pregnancy. This pill can also be administered as an effective treatment for endometriosis symptoms.

How to take Ovranette

One pill taken daily at around the same time for 21 days straight followed by a seven-day break. Each pill can be taken with or without food. Possible side effects of Ovranette The following side effects are rare but they are serious and if you experience any of these, you need to contact your doctor immediately. Signs of a blood clot, including swelling limbs, chest pain, leg pain and problems with breathing. A blood clot can lead to a heart attack or a stroke so seek immediate attention if you have numbness in parts of your body, severe migraines, changes in vision, sharp chest pains, dizziness, seizures or problems with speech.

The following is a list of possible side-effects that may arise from the use of Ovranette Tablet. These side-effects are possible but do not always occur. Consult your doctor if you observe any of the following side-effects, especially if they do not go away. Acne

• Amenorrhea

• Anaphylactic reactions

• Cervical erosion

• Cholestatic jaundice

• Colitis

 


Qlaira

Qlaira is a combined oral contraceptive, commonly known as a 'birth control pill' or 'the Pill'. Qlaira is used to prevent pregnancy. It is also used for the treatment of heavy and/or prolonged menstrual bleeding (not caused by any underlying disease) in women who wish to use oral contraception.

How does Qlaira work?

 Qlaira tablets contain two active ingredients, estradiol valerate and dienogest.

How to take Qlaira

Qlaira tablets come in varying colours, representing differing hormone levels. Each coloured, active tablet contains a female hormone – either estradiol valerate or estradiol valerate combined with dienogest. The different colours contain different levels of each hormone and must be taken in the particular order stated on the pack.

Possible side effects of Qlaira

Do not take Qlaira if you have, or have had: angina (chest pain) a mini-stroke (also known as TIA or transient ischaemic attack) a migraine, accompanied by visual symptoms, speech disability, or weakness or numbness in any part of your body diabetes mellitus with blood vessel damage pancreatitis (an inflammation of the pancreas) associated with high levels of fatty substances in your blood severe liver disease and your liver function has not returned to normal cancer that may grow under the influence of sex hormones (e.g. of the breast or the genital organs) a benign or malignant liver tumour unexplained vaginal bleeding.

 


Triadene

Triadene is a combined oral contraceptive tablet containing two hormones, ethinylestradiol and gestodene. Both active ingredients are synthetic versions of the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone. Levels of sex hormones alter during the course of the month when women have their usual menstrual cycle. The hormones cause the ovaries to release an egg, this process is known as ovulation and prepare the lining of the womb for possible pregnancy. When the egg hasn’t been fertilised at the end of the cycle, the hormones will cease and you will experience your usual monthly menstrual bleed. How to take Triadene?

How does Triadene work?

Triadene is most effective when began on one of your menstrual bleeds. By doing this you have immediate protection from pregnancy. However, the pill may be taken at anytime during your period. If this is the case just make sure to use another form of contraception for a minimum of 7 days to make sure you are covered. Triadene is a triphasic medication. This means that the 21 tablets contain different doses of hormones.

How to take Triadene

One tablet is taken daily for 21 days and then you have a 7-day break from taking any tablets. During this time you will experience your menstrual bleed. It’s important to remember to resume taking the pills post your 7-day break, even if you still have a small bleed. During the 7 days rest you will also be protected against pregnancy provided you followed directions and have taken the pills correctly.

Possible side effects of Triadene

Although only a minor percentage of women on the Triadene Pill suffer any unwanted reactions, they still can occur. Triadene side effects can include;

• Headaches

• Nausea

• Lessened sex drive

• Sore breasts

• Mood changes and skin changes.

• Other, rarer side-effects are blood clots (lungs/legs) and raised blood pressure.

 


Yasmin

Yasmin is a contraceptive pill which is used to prevent pregnancy. Each light yellow tablet contains a small amount of two female hormones called drospirenone and ethinyloestradiol.

How does Yasmin work?

Yasmin (drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol) prevents ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary) and also causes changes in your cervical and uterine lining, making it more difficult for the sperm to reach the uterus. This also makes it harder for a fertilised egg to attach to the uterus.

How to take Yasmin

• Take Yasmin every day for 21 days. This comes in strips of 21 pills, each marked with a day of the week

• Take your pill at the same time once every day

• Start by taking a pill which is marked with the correct day of the week

• Follow the direction of the arrows on the strip.

Take one pill each day, until you have finished all 21 pills. Swallow each pill whole, with water if necessary and do not chew the pill After taking the Yasmin pill you have seven days where you do not take the pill.

During this week, the bleeding should begin. This usually occurs on the second or third day after all 21 tablets are taken. After the last day of your seven pills, free days start the following strip. If you have not used a contraceptive with hormones in the previous month begin Yasmin on the first day of your period. This immediately protects you against pregnancy. If you begin on a 2-5 day of the cycle then you must use extra protective measures, for example, a condom for the first 7 days.

Changing from a combination hormonal contraceptive, or combination contraceptive vaginal ring or patch. You can start using Yasmin preferably on the day after the last active tablet of your previous pill, but at the latest on the day after the tablet-free days of your previous pill finish. It is best to follow advice from your doctor if this is the circumstance. You can take Yasmin between 21 and 28 days after having a baby. If you have had a miscarriage or abortion during the first three months of pregnancy, your doctor may tell you to immediately start taking Yasmin. This will give you contraceptive protection when taking your first pill.

Common side effects of Yasmin

• Depressive mood

• Headache, migraine

• Nausea

• Breast pain, breast tenderness

• Menstrual disorders

• Bleeding between periods,

• Thick whitish vaginal discharge, vaginal yeast infection

• Uncommon side effects include

• Breast enlargement

• Altered interest in sex

• High blood pressure/low blood pressure

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea

• Acne, severe itching, skin rash, hair loss

• Vaginal infection

• Fluid retention

• Body weight changes

If any of these side effects get serious you must contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

If you are considering starting to take the contraceptive pill then why not take out free online Contraceptive pill diagnostic consultation