Femodene is a common contraceptive pill which women use for pregnancy prevention.

How Femodene works

Femodene has two types of female hormones, progestogen and oestrogen. These hormones protect against pregnancy by preventing the ovaries from releasing an egg, thickening the cervix mucus or fluid o make it harder for the sperm to get through to the womb, and by causing the womb lining to thicken to make it less than ideal for the egg to grow in.

Benefits of Femodene

Femodene helps offer women protection from unwanted pregnancies. This gives them more freedom not only with their sex lives but with their daily lives as well. Due to the hormones it contains, using Femodene can also help regulate a woman’s menstrual cycle as well as stop symptoms of those that suffer from bad menstruation.

In terms of contraceptive pills, there are two different types available these days. These are the progestogen-only or the POP and the combined. Femodene belongs to the combined category, making it a popular option among women because they tend to not only be a reliable contraception method but a reversible one as well. In addition, it does not interrupt sex. Femodene can also help make periods lighter, less painful and regular.

How to use Femodene

As a prescription-only medication, you will first need your doctor’s approval before you can start taking Femodene. Pay attention to your doctor’s direction when taking the medication and it helps to also pay attention to what the information on the medication packet says. The tablets are taken orally, usually with a gulp or so of water, to make swallowing them easier.

When taking Femodene, start by taking the first pill on the very first day of your next period. This ensures that you will immediately enjoy the protection of the medication right after taking your first pill.

If you’re already taking a different pill but wish to switch to Femodene, you can start taking it on the day after finishing your last pack.

For women who have just given birth and want to start taking Femodene, you can start doing so 21 days after your delivery, provided that at this time, you’re already properly mobile. However, for the first 7 days of taking the pills, you will need complementary contraception such as condoms to make sure that you are indeed properly protected against pregnancy. If you’ve had an abortion or miscarriage, make sure to consult your doctor first about taking Femodene.

Femodene packets come with clear marks on the days of the week. It will also have arrows that will serve as a guide for the users so they will know the right direction of using the pills. You choose the first pill based on the specific day of the week you started. For instance, if you are starting on a Tuesday, then locate the tablet on the first row marked Tuesday. Then, follow the direction of the arrows as you take a tablet a day until such time as the whole pack is finished.

After you have successfully completed taking all the21 tablets in the pack, you will then have a 7-day break from taking the pills. Despite not taking the pill, you will still be protected during this time, provided that you have been properly taking the pills. Once the 7-day break is over, you will begin another pack. If you took your last pill from the previous pack on a Thursday, then you should start with the new pack the following Friday. While on the 7-day pill break, it is common to experience vaginal bleeding, which is similar to a period. Even when the bleeding still has not stopped by the time you’re to begin a new pack, you should still start taking the pill on the appropriate day.

Femodene dosage

Femodene tablets come as film-coated tablets in 75/30 micrograms. It contains ethinylestradiol and gestodene. When using the pill, take one tablet a day, possibly at the same time for 21 days. This is then followed by a 7-day break. This means that a pack of Femodene is equal to 4 weeks of supply.

Starting a pack late or missing a pill can render it less effective in protecting you against unwanted pregnancies. In the event that you miss a pill, make sure to take it as soon as you remember it. Missing more than a pill or starting a pack later than a day could mean that you are not properly protected. If this happens, make sure to continue taking the pill as you normally would. Take the most recent pill you missed and just leave whatever additional missed ones in the pack. Do remember to take extra protection like using a condom if you engage in any sexual activities for the next 7 days.

If you have bad diarrhoea or are sick, your body may not be getting its proper dose of hormones. If you throw up within 2 hours from taking a Femodene pill, make sure to take a pill from a spare strip. Continue taking the pills as you normally would. You shouldn’t need any additional protection or extra contraception in this case.

If you wish to delay your period, just finish the current strips you are taking and instead of taking a 7-day break after finishing the pack, start with a new pack immediately on the next day.

Precautions and side effects

Before taking Femodene, make it a point to first consult with your doctor. Taking Femodene is not advised to those who have the following:

You have or have had blood vessel clot
You have a blood clotting disorder
You require surgery or you’ve been off your feet for quite some time
You’ve had a stroke or heart attack
You have severe diabetes which damaged your blood vessels, have high fat levels in your blood, also known as hyperhomocysteinaemia, have very high blood pressure
You’ve had breast cancer
You have or had migraine with aura
You’ve had liver tumours
You’ve had severe liver disease
You’re hypersensitive or allergic to any of the ingredients contained in Femodene

Your Femodene prescription can also be affected by several other factors, so taking to your doctor and making him aware if you have any of the following is essential:

Systemic lupus erythematosus
Chronic inflammatory bowel disease (Ulcerative disease) or Crohn’s disease
Sickle cell anaemia which is an inherited red blood cells disease
Haemolytic uraemic syndrome
Elevated fat levels in the blood or a family history of the condition
Pancreatitis or inflammation of the pancreas
You’ve been off your feet for quite some time or require a surgery
You’ve recently given birth
Vein inflammation under the skin
Diabetes
Varicose veins
Family members who have had blood clotting
Heat problems
Porphyria
Migraines
Obese or overweight
Illnesses that got exacerbated during previous use of contraceptives pills or during pregnancy

Just like any medications containing active ingredients, Femodene can be affected by or affect other medicines. Among these medications include:

Some medicines used in treating epilepsy
Some medicines used in treating Hepatitis C virus infections and HIV
Certain antibiotics
Griseofulvin, an antifungal
Certain sedatives known as barbiturates
An herbal remedy called St. John’s Wort

If you happen to be taking any of the medications mentioned above, make sure to let your doctor know so he can advise you whether it would be ideal for you to take Femodene or not.

Breast cancer incidence has been found to be slightly higher among women who are taking the Pill than those who are the same age but don’t. If women discontinue taking the pill, then the risk reduces significantly. This means that if it has been 10 years since they stopped taking the pill, then they will have the same risk as those women that never took it. Either way, it is always crucial to have your breasts checked on the regular. Make it a point too to let your doctor know in the event that you notice lumps or any changes.

A rare side effect of taking contraceptive pills is deep venous thrombosis. However, this condition can develop whether you are on the Pill or not. The risk does tend to be higher among women who are taking it. It is important to let your doctor know immediately if you notice any signs.

Among the most common side effects associated with Femodene are:

Stomachache
Feeling sick
Headaches
Weight gain
Mood swings or depressive mod
Painful or sore breasts

If you experience any or more of the side effects listed above or if they worsen or persist, let your doctor know immediately. Contact your doctor right away if you experience any serious side effects from taking the pill including breast cancer, blood clot or liver issues.