Are you using birth control pills as a family planning method? Or are you planning to use them? Then it is very important to be aware of the type of pill you are getting. Also known as "friend pills" among us in Sri Lanka, these pills contain two types of hormones. Today, we will talk about this birth control pill that is made up of two hormones called Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol, which are used by many people.
What are these pills? What exactly does this do?
Simply put, this is a type of birth control pill for women. It contains two types of female hormones, estrogen and progestin, which are synthetically synthesized.
The main thing this pill does is stop your body from ovulating, which is when an egg is released from an ovary . If an egg is not released, a sperm cannot fertilize it. Then pregnancy cannot occur. In addition, it does other things, such as thickening the cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to enter. These pills come under different brand names. Your doctor will recommend the type that is best for you.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
This is very important. Before you start using these pills, you should tell your doctor your complete health history. Especially if you have or have had any of the conditions listed below .
- Blood clotting problems or blood vessel diseases.
- Having or having had cancer of the breast, cervix, uterus, ovaries, or liver.
- If you have frequent, abnormal vaginal bleeding for an unknown reason.
- If you have high blood pressure .
- If you have diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus) .
- If you have previously had heart disease, a heart attack, or a stroke .
- Migraine , especially if you have severe migraines that are accompanied by vision changes.
- Liver or gallbladder disease.
- If your blood cholesterol or triglyceride levels are very high.
- This is especially important if you are a smoker , especially if you are over 35 years old.
- Immune system diseases such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).
- If there was a recent childbirth or miscarriage.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
- If you are a mother who is breastfeeding.
- If you have an allergy to any other medicine, food, or dye.
It is very important for your own safety to tell your doctor without hiding these things, because using these pills with some of these conditions can be risky.
How exactly do you use this?
It is very important to follow exactly how to use this.
- This pill should be taken by mouth. Try to take it at the same time every day if possible . Some people may feel nauseous after taking this. To reduce this, it is best to take it with or after a meal.
- Take the pills in the order shown by the arrows or numbers on the pill label. Do not change the order.
- Do not change the dosage of your medication as you wish, unless your doctor tells you to.
- Always read the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with your medicine carefully.
What do you do if you miss a pill?
If you accidentally forget to take a pill, follow the instructions on the information leaflet that comes with the pill. In general, if you miss more than one pill, the contraceptive effect of this pill may be reduced. In such a case, it is wise to use another form of contraception, such as condoms, for the rest of the month. If you are in any doubt, talk to your doctor.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken more medicine than you think, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
These birth control pills can interact with other medications you are taking. This can reduce the effectiveness of these pills or increase side effects.
Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (prescribed by your doctor, over-the-counter, vitamins, herbal or Ayurvedic medicines, supplements). These medications can be especially problematic:
- Some types of antibiotics
- Medicine for epilepsy (fits)
- Medicines for HIV infection
- Medications for some mental illnesses
- Herbal products like St. John's wort
So, give your doctor a complete list of every medication, every vitamin, and every herbal product you take. That's the safest thing to do.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, this one can have side effects. Not everyone gets them. Let's see what those side effects are.
| Classification of side effects | |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Blood clot | Leg pain, swelling or warmth, difficulty breathing, chest pain. |
| Stroke | Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, difficulty speaking, difficulty walking, severe headache. |
| Liver problems (Liver injury) | Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine. |
| Other | High blood pressure, new or worsening migraines, depression. |
| Side effects that are generally common, but should be sought medical attention if they persist | |
| Body changes | Breast pain or tenderness, slight weight gain, dark patches on the face or sun-exposed areas of the skin. |
| Other | Nausea, irregular menstrual cycles, or light bleeding (spotting) during menstruation. |
Take-Home Message
- Before using these pills, tell your doctor your complete medical history (especially blood clots, high blood pressure, cancer, etc.).
- Women over the age of 35 who smoke are at a higher risk of blood clots and stroke when using these pills. Therefore, avoid smoking completely.
- These pills only prevent pregnancy. They do not protect against HIV (AIDS) or other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Use a barrier method such as a condom.
- Take the pill at the same time every day, in the order shown on the pill label. If you miss a pill, follow the instructions immediately.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any severe side effects such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe pain/swelling in a leg, or difficulty speaking.
- Keep this medicine away from children and pets and store at room temperature.
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