Marvelon

Combined pills are so effective that you have a less than 1% chance of falling pregnant. Women that do fall pregnant are most likely to have forgotten a pill or used it with other medicines that have lowered its effectiveness.

Many women rely on the pill for contraception because it's easy to use and highly effective, but there are other benefits too.

• Its reversible meaning you can stop taking Marvelon and your fertility is restored. For those thinking about starting a family, combined pills and mini pills are good options.
• Taking Marvelon means sex is uninterrupted. If you currently use barrier contraception not only does Marvelon provide a higher effectiveness rate, it also removes any accidents such as ripped condoms or the risk of getting carried away.
• All combined pills reduce period problems and Marvelon is no different as it reduces your womb lining you are likely to have shorter, lighter periods. If you are prone to anaemia this can be helpful.
• If you experience irregular periods the pill will set up a regular cycle that's easy to manage.
• You are able to skip periods by taking the pill without a break.
• Combined pills reduce the risk of ovarian and womb cancers.

The Different Types of Combined and Mini Pills

Combined pills like Marvelon are popular options because they are simple to take. If you find Marvelon doesn't suit you there are many others with slightly different versions of hormone which may suit you better.

The mini pill, also called the POP, is another popular option. Mini pills only contain the progesterone hormone. Some women find they're a better option for them as the mini pill is available for women who experience migraines and other conditions that mean the combined pill is not safe.

If you have not used a combined pill, the mini pill, or any other form of contraception you are likely to fall pregnant after sex. EllaOne is available for women who need emergency contraception. It works by delaying ovulation and can be taken up to five days after unprotected sex. The sooner you take EllaOne the more likely you are to prevent pregnancy.

Marvelon contains 150 micrograms of the synthetic progesterone desogestrel and 30 micrograms of the synthetic oestrogen ethinyloestradiol.

These hormones prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg, thickens cervical mucus so sperm cannot enter the womb, and thins the womb lining so fertilised eggs cannot implant there.

When used correctly combined contraceptive pills are over 99% effective. This is one of the highest rates of all contraceptive options.

Marvelon is simple to take. You swallow a tablet every day at the same time. Marvelon packets are marked with the days of the week with an arrow showing you which to take next.

• You can take it with or without food or water.

What To Do If You Miss A Dose

If you are less than 12 hours late taking Marvelon then you should take the missed pill immediately. You are still covered against pregnancy.

If it's longer than 12 hours (this includes starting your next strip late) then you should take the most recently missed pill straight away and use barrier contraception for seven days. If there are less than seven pills left in your strip continue to the next packet. Do not have a seven-day break.

If you've had sex in the time you forgot to take your pill there is a chance you could be pregnant. Consider emergency contraception. If you fail to bleed on your next seven-day break take a pregnancy test.

If you vomit or have severe diarrhoea you should use barrier contraception during your illness and then for seven days after you have finished being unwell and taken Marvelon correctly.

How To Start Marvelon

Marvelon is only suitable if you are able to take a pill every day. To start Marvelon you should wait until your period and swallow the first pill on the first day of bleeding. Then take a pill at the same time each day for 21 days.

If your period has already begun, start Marvelon on day 5 of your bleed and use extra contraception such as condoms until you've taken it correctly for seven days.

After the strip runs out, you should have a seven-day break before starting the next one. Keep doing this for as long as you want Marvelon to protect you from pregnancy.

If you are changing from another oral contraceptive you can take your first Marvelon pill when you finish your current strip of pills. Don't have a seven-day break but take Marvelon straight through.

If you're swapping from a 28-day pill (an everyday pill) take your first Marvelon the day after your last active pill and discard the dummy pills.

If you currently take the mini pill begin Marvelon on the first day of your period. If you don't have periods on the mini pill you can start Marvelon at any point and use barrier contraception for seven days.

If you've had an abortion or miscarriage you may be able to start Marvelon right away but ask your doctor for advice.

After having a baby you should speak to your doctor about Marvelon. You need to be fully mobile and have finished breastfeeding before you can start.

Marvelon may cause side effects in some women. These include blood clots and an allergic reaction to the ingredients.

Common side effects include migraines and headache - see your doctor if you experience your first migraine or they worsen, breakthrough bleeding and spotting may occur. This should settle down after a few months of use but see your doctor if it continues or if they are particularly severe.

Other side effects include nausea and upset stomachs, weight gain, tender or sore breasts or nipple discharge, depression and changes in sexual desire, increased blood pressure and vaginal discharge may change.

Less common side effects include skin problems such as bruise-like swelling and yellow or brown patches of skin and problems with contact lens tolerance.

Always speak to your doctor if side effects are severe or intolerable. If they continue you should seek medical advice.

Many women safely use Marvelon but some women should not take it. These include:

• Pregnant women or those who think they might be pregnant
• Women who have ever experienced blood clots or have blood clotting disorders
• Women who have suffered heart attacks or strokes
• Women who have angina or transient ischaemic attacks
• Women with high blood pressure, high blood fat levels, or diabetes with blood vessel damage
• Women who experience migraines with visual disturbances
• Women with any kind of liver disease
• Women who have or have had breast, womb, or ovarian cancers
• Any unexplained vaginal bleeding
• Marvelon is not suitable for breastfeeding mothers because the hormones interrupt the milk supply.

Marvelon does not provide any protection against sexually transmitted diseases. It's advisable to use condoms if you are unsure of your partner sexual status.

Your risk of a blood clot rises if you take the pill. It's rare, but women taking the pill are more susceptible. The risk increases if you are obese, a smoker, older or have diabetes.

Combined pills may slightly raise the risk of cervical and breast cancer. All women should have regular smear tests and check their breasts whether they take the pill or not.

On occasion, Marvelon may interfere with the results of some blood tests. If you are due an operation you will need to stop taking Marvelon to reduce the risk of blood clots.

Medical Interactions

• Epilepsy drugs
• Tuberculosis drugs
• Some HIV medicines
• Some antibiotics
• St John's Wort
• Some antifungal drugs
• Some high blood pressure drugs
• Hydantoins

If you need to take these medicines long term or short term you may need to use barrier contraception. Speak to your doctor about the specific brand you need to take as not all interfere with the effectiveness of Marvelon.

Stomach upsets and vomiting can affect Marvelon because it may not have absorbed properly. This means you won't have a full dose of hormones and could fall pregnant. You will need to use barrier contraception for seven days following stomach upsets and sickness.

No. All clinically proven medication requires a valid prescription and Marvelon is no exception. This is to confirm the medication is perfectly safe and highly effective for you to use. The prescription process will involve a short consultation – this is the same in person as well as online – and involves medical and personal question to ensure this combined pill is compatible with you.

Marvelon is easy to obtain. To get Marvelon you must first be prescribed it by your doctor who will examine you and ask questions about your health and family history. Once you have been prescribed Marvelon you can order it online following an online consultation. Be sure to mention any changes to your health or medicines.

When ordering from a certified online pharmacy, you can be ensured that your medication is safe. If the pharmacy doesn't ask you to complete essential health and medical question, however, this is a telltale sign that the website isn't certified. The website should also display clear signs that it is registered and approved by the relevant authorities. In the UK, this includes being registered by the MHRA and GMC.

All medication will be delivered in tamper proof packaging complete with the full patient leaflet, which confirms that the medication is clinically proven and highly effective.

When ordering the combined pill online here at Medilico, this is an all-inclusive price including the prescription, consultation, medication and delivery. There are no hidden costs. The price adjusts depending on the dosage and quantity you have ordered.