Start typing to retrieve search suggestions. As a new user or starting the Pill again after a break. Please be alert and see your doctor if you think you may have symptoms of a blood clot (see section 2.3 ‘Blood clots’). However, these side effects are rare. The risk of having a blood clot will vary according to your personal medical history (see ‘Factors that increase your risk of a blood clot in a vein’ below). Femodene comes in strips of 21 pills, each marked with a day of the week. Swallow each pill whole, with water if necessary. Femodene is a type of contraception called a combined contraceptive pill, usually just called 'the pill'. i had exactly the same thing with femodene, and put a load of weight on before i went to the doctor and changed pills. 4.2 Less serious side effects Take your pill at the same time every day. Sometimes the symptoms of stroke can be brief with an almost immediate and full recovery, but you should still seek urgent medical attention as you may be at risk of another stroke. You'll still be protected against pregnancy and you don't need to use extra contraception. You may need to read it again. As with other hormonal contraceptives, it's possible that taking the combined pill may slightly increase your risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer. Femodene needs to be taken as directed to prevent pregnancy. Before you start using Femodene you should read the information on blood clots in section 2. Check with your doctor because this depends on personal circumstances, such as if you're changing from another form of contraception, or if you're starting the pill after having a baby or following a miscarriage or abortion. Your doctor will prescribe another type of contraceptive prior to start of the treatment with these medicinal products. 2.8 Pregnancy and breast-feeding If you have any questions or need more advice, ask your doctor, family planning nurse or pharmacist. The risk of blood clots is also increased if you're travelling for long periods of time where you will be sat still (over three hours). Also check the leaflets that come with all your medicines to see if they can be taken with hormonal contraceptives. All pills can cause some initial side effects such as weight gain, bloating, acne, tender breasts and nausea. But, if this does happen, there's no evidence that the pills you have taken will harm the baby. Many womenreported that, when they were using Femodene contraceptive pills, gradually theywere losing sexual drive, which is also one of the possible sideeffects of Femodene. 7 reasons you could be bleeding during sex: We ask the experts, Womens health: Essential information and advice on matters affecting women, 7 myths about the morning after pill debunked, 10 contraceptive myths you shouldn't listen to. During your pill-free week the levels of hormones in your blood fall and you'll usually get a withdrawal bleed that's like your period. If you miss a pill, follow the instructions below. There is always a risk of side effects with all medications. If you are pregnant, stop taking Femodene and see your doctor. Keep taking your pill at your normal time, but treat each day that you are sick or have severe diarrhoea as if you had forgotten to take a pill and follow the missed pill instructions above. Weight gain may occur but can be managed with regular exercise and a balanced diet. This means skipping your pill-free week. have a rare metabolic disorder called porphyria. During your seven day break you'll usually get a withdrawal bleed that is similar to your normal period. You should ask your doctor how soon after delivery you can start taking Femodene, If you have an inflammation in the veins under the skin (superficial thrombophlebitis), If you or your close family have ever had problems with your heart, or circulation such as high blood pressure, If you or your close family have ever had problems with blood clotting, If you have the inherited disease called porphyria, If you have any illness that worsened during pregnancy or previous use of the Pill (see section 4.2). Femodene may occasionally cause some less common side effects, such as nausea, stomach pains, migraines, or a severe headache. Femodene is a 21-day Pill – you take one each day for 21 days, followed by 7 days when you take no pills. This will help to protect the The problem should disappear after the first few strips. This risk goes up the longer you’re on the Pill, but returns to normal within about 10 years of stopping it. If you have any doubts or queries about your medication, please contact your doctor or pharmacist. Is it safe to take different medicines together? deep vein thrombosis), a blood clot in the lung (i.e. These hormones stop you getting pregnant by working in three ways: by preventing an egg being released from your ovaries; by making the fluid (mucus) in your cervix thicker, which makes it more difficult for sperm to enter the womb; and by preventing the lining of your womb thickening enough for an egg to grow in it. Keep taking Femodene as usual. If you want to keep taking Femodene, talk to your doctor about what to do. The risk of getting a blood clot in a vein is temporarily increased if you're immobile for long periods of time, for example if you have a major accident or major surgery. Your doctor may decide that Femodene needs to be stopped. I've stop using the pill Femodene in January 2012, then started using it again in mid March. If you take this type of emergency contraception while taking Femodene you should use extra contraception, such as condoms, for 14 days after taking it. 3.7 Taking more than one pill should not cause harm The risk of a blood clot with Femodene is small but some conditions will increase the risk. If you did not gain weight in your three years on the Pill, you are unlikely to do so now. below the age of about 50). It is unlikely that taking more than one pill will do you any harm, but you may feel sick, vomit or bleed from the vagina. Gestodene, sold under the brand names Femodene and Minulet among others, is a progestin medication which is used in birth control pills for women. In this case you could have a hereditary blood clotting disorder. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine. Do not store above 25°C and protect from light. The overall risk of a blood clot in the leg or lung (DVT or PE) with Femodene is small. thrombosis for no known reason, or you gain a lot of weight, tell your doctor. If any of the above conditions change while you are using Femodene, for example you start smoking, a close family member experiences a thrombosis for no known reason, or you gain a lot of weight, tell your doctor. In addition, Femodene can also interfere with the results of some blood tests, so always tell your doctor that you are taking Femodene if you have a blood test. Due to regulatory changes, the content of the following Patient Information Leaflet may vary from the one found in your medicine pack. Increased risk of getting a blood clot in an artery, which could cause a, Increased risk of getting a blood clot in a vein, such as a. This These are synthetic versions of the naturally occurring female sex hormones, oestrogen and progesterone. The same applies for any other medicine that makes you vomit or gives you diarrhoea - common culprits include laxatives and the weight loss medicine orlistat (brand names Alli and Xenical). Always start the new strip on time. turning pale, red or blue, sudden unexplained breathlessness or rapid breathing, sudden cough without an obvious cause, which may bring up blood, sharp chest pain which may increase with deep breathing, painless blurring of vision which can progress to loss of vision, chest pain, discomfort, pressure, heaviness, sensation of squeezing or fullness in the chest, arm or below the breastbone, upper body discomfort radiating to the back, jaw, throat, arm and stomach, extreme weakness, anxiety, or shortness of breath, sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body, sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding, sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, sudden, severe or prolonged headache with no known cause, loss of consciousness or fainting with or without seizure, swelling and slight blue discolouration of an extremity, severe pain in your stomach (acute abdomen). If you want to delay your period you can take two packets back to back without a break. Not everyone will experience side effects when they take Femodene, however if you do they may include: Nausea, weight gain, headaches, stomach pain, mood swings, breast pain. Has also massively improved my skin! Lighter periods or sometimes stopping of periods. Mood changes. 4.3 Bleeding between periods should not last long5. But everybody is different. If you have just had a baby, your doctor may advise you that Femodene should be started 21 days after delivery provided that you are fully mobile. associated with an increased risk of developing pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), If you need an operation, or you are off your feet for a long time (see in section 2.3 ‘Blood clots’), If you have just given birth you are at an increased risk of blood clots. Before you start taking Femodene, make sure you tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're already taking any other medicines, because some medicines can make Femodene less effective at preventing pregnancy. 2. This medicine can increase your risk of problems such as blood clots and breast cancer. Taking Femodene For further information call emc accessibility on 0800 198 5000. If one eats more, without burnin it off, one gains weight. For a description of the symptoms of these serious side effects please go to "How to recognise a blood clot". Do not pass it on to others. Your GP will be able to advise you on whether or not Femodene is the right pill for you. This bleed may not have finished when it is time to start your next strip of pills. The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine. The Pill slightly increases your risk of breast cancer. The risk of developing a blood clot in a vein is highest during the first year of taking a combined hormonal contraceptive for the first time. Do not throw away any medicines down a drain or into a bin. If you have any of the following diseases that may increase your risk of a clot in the arteries: a very high level of fat in the blood (cholesterol or triglycerides), a condition known as hyperhomocysteinaemia, If you have (or have ever had) a type of migraine called ‘migraine with aura’, If you have or have ever had breast cancer, If you have ever had a severe liver disease, and you have been told by your doctor that your liver function test results are not yet back to normal. I would definitely go back and demand Yasmin. Ethinylestradiol (Femodene) is also used to treat the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), such as anxiety, depression, irritability, trouble concentrating, lack of energy, sleep or appetite changes, breast tenderness, joint or muscle pain, headache, and weight gain. Normal fertility resumes as soon as you stop taking the pill. What if I get pregnant while taking Femodene? Out of 10,000 women who are not using any combined hormonal contraceptive and are not pregnant, about 2 will develop a blood clot in a year. Femodene is the same as other combined pills containing ethinylestradiol 30 micrograms and gestodene 75 micrograms. They slightly increase the risk of having a blood clot in the veins and arteries, especially in the first year or when restarting a combined hormonal contraceptive following a break of 4 or more weeks. This contraceptive contains two types of female sex hormones, oestrogen and progestogen. I took it for birth control & the positive effects were a bonus - like clearing my huge big breakouts once a month, lightened my period, cut my period to 3-4 days. In high doses, Estrogen can cause weight gain due to an increased appetite and fluid retention. You should still be protected from pregnancy. if you need to have an operation, or if you are off your feet for a long time because of an injury or illness, or you have your leg in a cast. A missed pill is one that is 24 hours or more late. Some medicines can have an influence on the blood levels of Femodene and can stop it from working properly – for example: If you do need to take one of these medicines, Femodene may not be suitable for you or you may need to use extra contraception for a while. If you forget to take your pill at your usual time, take it as soon as you remember. The chance of having a blood clot may be higher if you have any other conditions that increase this risk (see section 2 for more information on the conditions that increase risk for blood clots and the symptoms of a blood clot). Like a blood clot in a vein, a clot in an artery can cause serious problems. 2.9 Driving and using machines The use of combined hormonal contraceptives has been connected with an increase in the risk of blood clots in the vein (venous thrombosis). pulmonary embolism), a heart attack or a stroke (see ‘Blood clots` section below). You have a long-term condition called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Also, unexpected bleeding can A girl can say 'I've not changed my diet' - when she's probably BS-ing herself to make herself feel less guilty for overeating. The pill/contraceptive injection etc all increase one's appetite. You have an undiagnosed breast lump or gene mutations that are associated with an increased risk of, certain antiepileptic medicines, such as carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, perampanel, phenobarbital, primidone, phenytoin or topiramate, some medicines for HIV, such as cobicistat, efavirenz, nevirapine or ritonavir, the antibiotics rifabutin or rifampicin for tuberculosis. Continue typing to refine. attack (TIA – temporary stroke symptoms). Our information and advice is the same as that given by the NHS and the Faculty of Sexual Health and Reproductive Healthcare UK, and is based on systematic reviews of the currently available evidence. I switched to Femodene after about 4 years of being on another combined pill (can't remember the name) as I had convinced myself it was causing me to gain Then take all the other pills from your current strip as usual. Slight bleeding or spotting between periods in the first few months. If you get any side effect, particularly if severe and persistent, or have any change to your health that you think may be due to Femodene, please talk to your doctor. You take one pill every day for three weeks, then have a week break before starting the next packet. If you are concerned about these effects, or if the product affects you in any other way, … blood clots in the liver, stomach/intestine, kidneys or eye. It's worth noting that the advice below may differ from that in the leaflet you get with your pills. See section ‘Do not use Femodene’). Femodene tablets come in a calendar pack marked with days of the week. Do not chew the pill. You take it to stop you getting pregnant. Get advice from your doctor, pharmacist or local family planning clinic. ethinylestradiol. If you start a new strip of pills late, or make your ‘week off’ longer than seven days, you may not be protected from pregnancy. Female use only. When suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and ENTER to select. You can then keep the opened spare strip in case you lose any more pills. You shouldn't take it if you: Your doctor may need to weigh up the risks and benefits of taking Femodene if you have various other conditions, including those below. you restart taking a combined hormonal contraceptive (the same product or a different product) after a break of 4 weeks or more. Take the last pill you missed as soon as possible, even if this means taking two pills at the same time. Im on Femodene , ive been on it for about a year and its good cos my weight hasnt changed ( as some pills claim they may give you weight gain ) my sex drive is very good aha and the periods between are reduced in length and pain. If you experience mood changes and depressive symptoms contact your doctor for further medical advice as soon as possible. If the condition develops, or gets worse while you are using Femodene, you should also tell your doctor. Then take your next pill at your usual time. You'll also need to use an extra method of contraception (eg condoms) for as long as you take the extra medicine and for at least four weeks after stopping it. 2.3 Blood clots Medicines affect people in different ways. By starting in this way, you will have contraceptive protection with your first pill. 7 reasons you could be bleeding during sex, NuvaRing (ethinylestradiol, etonogestrel), Levest (ethinylestradiol, levonorgestrel), Marvelon (ethinylestradiol and desogestrel), Combined pills like Femodene are sometimes also prescribed for women who have problems with particularly. If you are unsure, talk to a doctor as some of these symptoms such as coughing or being short of breath may be mistaken for a milder condition such as a respiratory tract infection (e.g. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our policy on the use of cookies. Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children. Some women using hormonal contraceptives including Femodene have reported depression or depressed mood. If you are planning a baby, it’s best to use another method of contraception after stopping Femodene until you have had a proper period. If any of the above conditions change while you are using Femodene, for example a close family member experiences a thrombosis for no known reason, or you gain a lot of weight, tell your doctor. See your doctor if this persists. If the pills you missed were in the last week of your pack, finish the pack as usual but then start a new pack straight away without a break. So, if you take the last pill of one pack on a Friday, you will take the first pill of During your pill-free week the levels of hormones in your blood fall and you'll usually get a withdrawal bleed that's like your period. Femodene is a combined oral contraceptive pill (‘the Pill’). However, there's no evidence that the pill causes depression. Everything you need to know about taking Femodene tablets. Femodene is not usually recommended if you're taking the antiepileptic medicine lamotrigine. They are one of the most reliable reversible methods of contraception if used correctly. If you have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis (chronic inflammatory bowel disease), If you have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE – a disease affecting your natural defence system), If you have haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS – a disorder of blood clotting causing failure of the kidneys), If you have sickle cell anaemia (an inherited disease of the red blood cells), If you have inflammation of the pancreas (, If you have elevated levels of fat in the blood (hypertriglyceridaemia) or a positive family history for this condition. Retinal vein thrombosis (blood clot in the eye). If you are more than 12 hours late with a pill, or you have missed more than one pill, your contraceptive protection may be reduced. if you gave birth less than a few weeks ago. 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