The Student Room Group

Microgynon - Info, Questions, Experience etc

Well, there seemed to be a lot of posts asking various questions about this pill in particular, and seen as I am a user of it, and I'm sat at home with nothing to do I thought I would combine all this info into one useful thread.....

It might also be better to keep it so that any questions regarding this particular pill are posted in this thread, so thats its all in one place.

I'll put all the proper info first, then any FAQs at the end....

How Does It Work?
What Is It Used For?
You Must Not Use Microgynon If...
What Else You Should Know
What To Do If...
When Using Microgynon
Side Effects
FAQs


How Does It Work?

This medicine is a combined oral contraceptive often referred to as 'The Pill'. It contains a combination of two synthetic derivatives of naturally occuring sex hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, found in the female body.

Ethinylestradiol (previously spelt ethinyloestradiol in the UK) is a synthetic version of oestrogen and levonorgestrel is a synthetic form of progesterone. During a woman's normal menstrual cycle, the levels of these sex hormones change. Oestrogen levels rise causing an egg to ripen (maturation) and be released from the ovaries (ovulation). This causes levels of progesterone in the body to increase, preventing the release of more eggs from the ovary and preparing the lining of the womb for a possible pregnancy. Combined oral contraceptives work by over-riding the normal menstrual cycle.

Ethinylestradiol prevents the ripening and release of an egg from the ovary. Levonorgestrel works by tricking the body processes into thinking that ovulation has already occurred. In addition, levonorgestrel affects the natural mucus at the neck of the womb. It increases the thickness of this mucus making it more difficult for sperm to cross from the vagina into the womb. Levonorgestrel also acts to change the quality of the womb lining (endometrium). This prevents the successful implantation of any fertilised eggs onto the wall of the womb. When the blood levels of these hormones decrease at the end of each 'cycle' in the packet, a menstrual period occurs.

Different brands of combined oral contraceptives may contain a different type of progesterone and/or a different strength of ethinylestradiol - Low Strength (20 micrograms), Standard Strength (30 to 40 micrograms) or High Strength (50 micrograms).

There may also be differences in the tablets taken during the monthly cycle. The most widely used preparations are known as 'Monophasic'. In these, all 21 tablets are the same and a seven day pill-free gap is left between packets, during which time a period occurs.

Preparations known as 'Bi- or Tri-Phasic' have different coloured tablets which contain different strengths of oestrogen and progesterone. These tablets must be taken in the order specified on the pack for each cycle.

'ED' (Every Day) preparations contain 28 tablets (21 active tablets and 7 inactive tablets). This allows a woman to take a tablet every day of the 28 day cycle rather than having to remember the 7 day break at the end of each pack of 21 tablets. Again, these tablets must be taken in the order specified on the pack.


What Is It Used For?

- Contraception

- Disorders of the menstrual cycle


You Must Not Use Microgynon If....

- you have, or have ever had a disorder affecting the blood circulation. In particular, those conditions relating to thrombosis. Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot. This may occur in the blood vessels of the legs (deep vein thrombosis), the lungs (pulmonary embolism), the heart (heart attack), the brain (stroke), or other parts of the body

- you have or have ever had a condition that may be a first sign of a heart attack (such as angina pectoris or chest pain) or stroke (such as transient ischaemic attack or small reversible stroke)

- you have diabetes mellitus with blood vessel damage

- you or someone in your immediate family have or have had high blood levels of cholesterol or triglycerides (fatty substances)

- you have jaundice (yellowing of the skin) or severe liver disease

- you have or have had cancer of the breast or the genital organs

- you have or have had a benign or malignant liver tumour

- you suffer from migraine

- you have any unexplained vaginal bleeding

- you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant

- you are allergic to any of the ingredients of Microgynon


What Else You Should Know


Microgynon And Thrombosis
Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot which may block a blood vessel.

Thrombosis sometimes occurs in the deep veins of the legs (deep venous thrombosis). If this blood clot breaks away from the veins where it is formed, it may reach and block the arteries of the lungs, causing a so-called "pulmonary embolism". Deep venous thrombosis is a rare occurrence. It can develop whether or not you are taking the Pill. It can also happen if you become pregnant. The risk is higher in Pill users than in non-users but not as high as during pregnancy.

Blood clots can also occur very rarely in the blood vessels of the heart (causing a heart attack) or the brain (causing a stroke). Extremely rarely, blood clots can occur in the liver, gut, kidney or eye.

Very occasionally a thrombosis may cause serious permanent disabilities or may even be fatal.

The risk of having a heart attack or stroke increases as you get older. It also increases the more you smoke.

When using Microgynon you should stop smoking, especially if you are older than about 35 years of age.

If you develop high blood pressure while using Microgynon, you may be told to stop using it.

The risk of having deep venous thrombosis is temporarily increased as a result of an operation or immobilisation (for example, when you have your leg or legs in plaster or splints). In women who use the Pill (such as Microgynon) the risk may be even higher. Tell your doctor you are using Microgynon well in advance of any expected hospitalisation or surgery. Your doctor may tell you to stop taking Microgynon several weeks before surgery or at the time of immobilisation. Your doctor will also tell you when you can start taking Microgynon again after you are back on your feet.

Microgynon And Cancer
Breast cancer has been diagnosed slightly more often in women who use the Pill than in women of the same age who do not use the Pill. This slight increase in the numbers of breast cancer diagnoses gradually disappears during the course of the ten years after stopping use of the Pill. It is not known whether the difference is caused by the Pill. It may be that the women were examined more often, so that the breast cancer was noticed earlier.

In rare cases, benign, and even more rarely, malignant liver tumours have been reported in users of the Pill. These tumours may lead to internal bleeding. Contact your doctor immediately if you have severe pain in your abdomen.

Cervical cancer has been reported to occur more often in women using the Pill for a long time. This finding may not be caused by the Pill but may be related to sexual behaviour and other factors.

Microgynon And Other Medicines
Some oral medicines may stop Microgynon from working properly. These include medicines used for the treatment of epilepsy (e.g. primidone, phenytoin, barbiturates) and tuberculosis (e.g. rifampicin); and antibiotics (e.g. ampicillin, tetracyclines, griseofulvin) for some other infectious diseases. Always tell the doctor who prescribes Microgynon which medicines you are already using. Also tell any other doctor or dentist who prescribes another medicine (or the dispensing pharmacist) that you use Microgynon. They can tell you if you need to take additional contraceptive precautions and if so, for how long.

Microgynon And Breast-Feeding

Microgynon is generally not recommended for use during breast-feeding. If you wish to take the Pill while breast-feeding, please seek the advice of your doctor.


What To Do If...

...You Forget To Take A Pill
If you have forgotten to take one or more of the large white non-hormonal tablets - there is no need to be concerned, simply take your next tablet, the next day as usual.

- If you are less than 12 hours late in taking one of the small hormonal Microgynon tablets, you are still protected against pregnancy. Take the tablet as soon as you remember and take the next one at your usual time. This may mean that you are taking 2 tablets in one day.

- If you are more than 12 hours late in taking one of your small hormonal Microgynon tablets you will not be protected. Take the last tablet as soon as you remember and take the next one at your normal time. This may mean taking 2 tablets in one day. You must take extra contraceptive precautions and you must follow the 7 day rule.

- If you forgot tablets in the first week of taking the small hormonal tablets in your pack and had intercourse in the seven days before, consult your doctor as the possibility of pregnancy should be considered.

If you have forgotten to take your small hormonal Microgynon tablets for a few days, consult your doctor to be sure you are not pregnant, then discard the missed tablets and follow the 7 day rule.

Extra Contraceptive Precautions
When you need extra contraceptive precautions, either:

- don't have sex

- use a cap plus spermicide

- use a condom

Do not use the rhythm or temperature methods as extra contraceptive precautions. This is because oral contraceptives alter the usual menstrual cycle changes, such as changes in temperature and cervical mucus.

The 7 Day Rule
- Continue taking your Pills

- You will not be protected from pregnancy until you have taken your daily small hormone Pill for the next 7 days in a row

- Use another method of contraception (Extra contraceptive precautions) such as condoms or do not have sexual intercourse for the next 7 days while taking the next 7 small hormone Pills

If there are fewer than 7 small hormone Pills left in the pack, finish the hormone Pills and go straight on to the small hormone Pills of the next pack. This means that you miss out the large white non-hormonal Pills. You may not have a period until the end of the next pack. This is not harmful.

...You Vomit Or Have Diahorrea After Taking Microgynon

If you vomit or have diahorrea within 3 to 4 hours after taking your Microgynon, the active ingredients may not have been completely absorbed. This is like missing a tablet. Therefore, follow the advice for missed tablets.

...You Want To Delay A Period

You can delay your period if you start your next pack of Microgynon immediately after finishing your current pack. You can continue with this pack for as long as you wish, until this pack is empty. When you wish your period to begin, just stop tablet taking. While using the second pack, you may have some breakthrough bleeding or spotting on tablet-taking days. Start your following pack after the usual 7 day tablet-free break.

...You Want To Change The Starting Day Of Your Period
If you take your tablets as directed, you will have your period on about the same day every 4 weeks. If you want to change this, just shorten, (never lengthen) the next tablet-free break. For example, if your period usually starts on a Friday and in future you want it to start on Tuesday (3 days earlier) you should now start your next pack 3 days sooner than you usually do. If you make your tablet-free break very short (e.g. 3 days or less), you may not have a bleeding during the break. You may have some breakthrough bleeding or spotting during the use of the next pack.

...You Have Unexpected Bleeding
As with other Pills, for the first few months, you can have irregular vaginal bleeding (spotting or breakthrough bleeding) with Microgynon between your periods. You may need to use sanitary protection, but continue to take your tablets as normal. Irregular vaginal bleeding usually stops once your body has adjusted to Microgynon (usually after about 3 tablet-taking cycles). If it continues, becomes heavy or starts again, tell your doctor.

...You Have Missed A Period
If you have taken all of your tablets at the right time, and you have not vomited or used other medicines, then you are very unlikely to be pregnant. Continue to take Microgynon as usual.

If you miss your period twice in a row, you may be pregnant. Tell your doctor immediately. Do not start the next pack of Microgynon until your doctor has checked you are not pregnant.


When Using Microgynon

Tell Your Doctor Immediately If...
You should stop treatment and see your doctor immediately if you get a blood clot while you are taking Microgynon. Warning signs to look out for are:

- an unusual cough

- severe pain in the chest which may reach the left arm

- breathlessness

- any unusual, severe, or prolonged headache or migraine attack

- partial or complete loss of vision, or double vision

- slurring or speech disability

- sudden changes to your hearing, sense of smell, or taste

- dizziness or fainting

- weakness or numbness in any part of your body

- severe pain in your abdomen

- severe pain or swelling in either of your legs

Tell Your Doctor If...
Contact your doctor as soon as possible if:

- you notice any changes in your own health, especially involving any of the items mentioned in this leaflet; do not forget about the items related to your immediate family

- you feel a lump in your breast

- you are going to use other medications

- you are to be immobilised or are to have surgery (consult your doctor at least four weeks in advance)

- you have unusual, heavy vaginal bleeding

- you forgot tablets in the first week of the pack and had intercourse in the seven days before

- you miss your period twice in a row or suspect you are pregnant (do not start the next pack until told to by your doctor)


Side Effects

The following have been reported in users of combined oral contraceptives such as Microgynon, although they may not be caused by the contraceptive Pill. Such undesirable effects that occur in the first few months that you are using MIicrogynon will probably lessen with time.

- breast tenderness, pain and secretion

- headache

- changes in sexual drive; depressive moods

- contact lens intolerance

- nausea, vomiting and feeling sick

- changes in vaginal secretion

- various skin reactions

- fluid retention

- changes in body weight

- hypersensitivity reactions


FAQs

What are the chances of me getting pregnant while I'm on the pill?
The pill is 99.9% effective if taken properly - i.e. at the same time everyday without forgetting to take any. Missing pills, and taking it at varying times will make it slightly less effective.

Is spotting whilst on the pill normal?

Yes - some people get it whilst others don't. It most commonly happens when you run two or more packs together. If it is worrying you though, go see your doctor.

How many packs can I run together?
It is not recommended to run more than 3 packs together, although you may get a heavier and more painful bleed, and possibly get spotting.

Will I get bad side effects?

It depends on the person. Some people experience mood swings and increases in appetite, which are fairly mild side effects, some people experience more serious side effects, and some people don't get any at all. If you don't think it is agreeing with you, go see your doctor and they should change you onto a different pill that may suit you more.


If you have any more questions, or what to ask anyone who is on this pill any questions, then feel free to post them here and hopefully either I or someone else will be able to help!

Scroll to see replies

Reply 1
p.s. mods could you sticky this or put it in the useful threads sticky, cos i think it would be really useful for people to access easily.
Reply 2
:congrats: Great idea! Actually, *calls* Helenia, what would happen if I was on Microgynon (as I am) and I got preggers? Would the baby be all warped n stuff?
Reply 3
I'll stick this link in the Best Threads Ever sticky in a mo.

Thanks for such a comprehensive guide to it! There are also two old threads here and here with people's experiences.

Sally, I think if you DO get pregnant on microgynon, it shouldn't affect the baby, but I'm not sure. The main trouble is that you can continue to have withdrawal bleeds even when pregnant so you wouldn't know early on if you were pregnant.
Reply 4
Helenia

Sally, I think if you DO get pregnant on microgynon, it shouldn't affect the baby, but I'm not sure. The main trouble is that you can continue to have withdrawal bleeds even when pregnant so you wouldn't know early on if you were pregnant.
:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: You're kidding right?
Reply 5
yeh thats what was worrying me eeeek :eek:
Reply 6
*screams*
Reply 7
*joins in the screaming*
Reply 8
Aaaaand breathe. :smile:

Yes, it's true, but it wouldn't DEFINITELY happen. And it's like 99.9% effective anyway so not too much cause for concern. That's a problem with any hormonal contraception, I think.
Reply 9
but dont you get all this info on the leaflet you get when you get your Microgynon 30 prescription?
Reply 10
Helenia
Aaaaand breathe. :smile:

Yes, it's true, but it wouldn't DEFINITELY happen. And it's like 99.9% effective anyway so not too much cause for concern. That's a problem with any hormonal contraception, I think.


thats good then cos what you said is slightly worrying
Reply 11
yes, but this is not just for people who are on it, but people who are thinking about it so that they know more about it and can make a better more informed decision
Reply 12
i think the only pills that can deform babies are ones change the male hormones like dianette.
Reply 13
yeh i dont think they would deform babies, but it has always worried me how i would know if i got pregnant somehow....just have to cross fingers it wotn happen
Reply 14
exaclty. Don't want to call my mum and go , "Yeah, I'm 5 months pregnant, Pill lied to me"
oh god now im so scared that im pregnant oh my god, i thought if u had periods on the pill that you def wont be, and that they'd just stop if u were, oh god, im reeeaaaly quite scared now!!!!
Reply 16
welldone e clark. this world needs people like you

eclark for president!!!
Reply 17
so_this_is_sam
oh god now im so scared that im pregnant oh my god, i thought if u had periods on the pill that you def wont be, and that they'd just stop if u were, oh god, im reeeaaaly quite scared now!!!!


ok calm down, my nurse said to me "basically, the pill is 100% reliable, the ones that fail, its not the pills who fail, its us" so the bottom line is if you are religious about taking it at the same time every day, and take extra extra care if it has any chance of failing eg if youre sick, on antibiotics (i can vouch for this as this is how i was conceived!), or late taking it, you will not get pregnant. the thing is if you do, the pill will continue to give you fake periods so i guess that means you could have no idea? but if you take it properly theres no big reason to worry, if your paranoid just use extra contraception as well! if youre the kind of girl who forgets to take it for a ten day stretch dont be surprised to end up with a kid, but if youre good dont stress about it, it will ruin your sex life.
Reply 18
But I thought the 'period' you get when you're having your 7 Pill-free days was due to the hormone levels in your blood dropping. Surely this wouldn't happen if you were pregnant?
Reply 19
Minta2
But I thought the 'period' you get when you're having your 7 Pill-free days was due to the hormone levels in your blood dropping. Surely this wouldn't happen if you were pregnant?


the bleeding you have in the 7 day gap is not a true period, i cant remember the exact science of it but i will try and look it up! that is why you can be pregnant on the pill and not know, so if there's any doubt a test is needed.