Many people now use the 'pill' as a family planning method, right? Sometimes your doctor may have given you this pill for a condition like heavy periods. Today we are talking about a family planning pill that has two such uses, made by combining the hormones Dienogest and Estradiol valerate. In our country, it can be found under the brand name Natazia. Let's take a simple look at how to use it exactly and what things to be careful about.
What really happens with this pill?
Simply put, this is a birth control pill, that is, an oral contraceptive. It contains two types of female hormones. These are estrogen and progestin .
This type of pill mainly does two things:
1. Preventing pregnancy: This stops your body from ovulating, which is the release of an egg from an ovary. Therefore, pregnancy does not occur.
2. Treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding: Some women experience heavy bleeding during their monthly periods. Doctors recommend this pill as a treatment for this condition and for women who want to plan their families.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
Before deciding whether this medicine is right for you, you should definitely tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions. Don't hide these things, as they can affect your health.
| Health conditions and habits |
|---|
| Heart disease, a recent heart attack, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol levels. |
| Blood vessel disease, a history of blood clots, or a stroke. |
| Cancer or a history of cancer of the breast, cervix, uterus, ovaries, or liver. |
| Liver disease or kidney disease. |
| Diabetes or gallbladder disease. |
| Severe headaches, including migraine headaches. |
| Abnormal vaginal bleeding of unknown cause. |
| Autoimmune diseases such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). |
| A history of mental illness. |
| If you are a tobacco smoker, this is very important. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. |
| If you are breastfeeding your baby. |
| If you have an allergic reaction to other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives. |
How exactly do I use this pill?
The method of using this medicine is very simple, but very important.
- Take it on time: It is very important to take this pill at the same time every day . Choose a time that is easy for you to remember.
- Take the pills in order: Take the pills in the order listed on the packet. Follow the order shown by the days and arrows.
- With or without food: This can be taken with or without food. However, if you feel upset or nauseous, take the pill with some food.
- Read the leaflet: Always read the patient package insert that comes with your medicine. It contains a lot of important information.
What if I take too much by mistake?
Imagine you accidentally took too many pills. If this happens, do not panic, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital, or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What to do if you miss a pill?
If you forget to take a pill, the information leaflet you received will clearly state what to do. Check it. In general, if you miss more than one pill, the effectiveness of this medicine in preventing pregnancy may be reduced. In such cases, it is wise to use an additional form of contraception (e.g. condoms). Talk to your doctor about this and get advice.
Other things that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
When you take this pill, you should also be careful about other medications, herbal products, and vitamins you are taking, as some things can affect how this pill works.
- Some antibiotics (e.g. rifampin, penicillins, tetracyclines)
- Medicines used to treat seizures (e.g. phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin)
- Some medications for HIV/AIDS
- Some medications for fungal infections (e.g. ketoconazole)
- Some antidepressants
- Herbal products such as St. John's wort
- Grapefruit juice
This list is not complete. Therefore, tell your doctor about every medication and vitamin you take.
Things to consider when taking the pill
The most important thing is that this pill does not protect you from HIV (AIDS) or other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). You must use other methods of protection, such as condoms, for that.
- Go for regular check-ups: While taking this pill, see your doctor regularly to check your health. It is important to continue to have regular check-ups, such as breast exams and Pap smears.
- If you suspect you are pregnant: If you have even the slightest suspicion that you are pregnant, stop taking the pill immediately and talk to your doctor.
- Smoking is very dangerous: Smoking is very dangerous with this pill. Especially if you are over 35, the risk of blood clots and stroke is very high. Therefore, we advise you to avoid smoking completely.
- Sun sensitivity: This medication may make your skin a little more sensitive to the sun. Therefore, it is a good idea to use sunscreen when going out in the sun.
- Before surgery: If you are scheduled to have surgery, you may need to stop taking this pill before it happens. Ask your doctor for advice.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, this can cause some side effects, although not everyone gets them.
| Side effects that require immediate medical attention |
|---|
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| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist |
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Take-Home Message
- Since this is a hormone-containing medication, use it only under the advice of your doctor. Don't just take it because a friend is using it.
- Don't forget to take the pill at the same time every day. It's very important for the success of this medicine.
- It is very risky to take this pill if you are over 35 and you smoke. Avoid smoking completely.
- This pill does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Use a method such as a condom.
- If you experience any unusual symptoms (especially chest pain, shortness of breath, leg swelling, severe headache), do not ignore them. See a doctor immediately.
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