Utovlan

Womenā€™s body produces hormones to stimulate and regulate normal bodily functions, one being the progesterone. It is produced in the ovaries, adrenal glans, and the placenta when a woman becomes pregnant. 

When your progesterone levels rise, this causes the endometriumā€™s thickening while in the second half of the menstrual cycle. The said process prepares the endometrium to receive a successfully implanted fertilised egg. However, when there is no fertilization, the estrogen and progesterone levels drop, and the endometrium sheds causing menstruation.

Various contraceptives use some kind of progestogens to keep the bodyā€™s progesterone levels high to delay your period effectively. If you want to know more of this, read through the article and get to know the benefits of using a progestogen-containing contraceptive known as Utovlan.

What Are Utovlan Tablets And What Are They Used For? 

Utovlan prescription contraceptive that belongs in a group of medicines called progestogens. It contains the progestogen called norethisterone as its active ingredient. It treats or manages the heavy and painful periods, irregular periods or periods that are more frequent than normal, premenstrual tension (PMT), endometriosis, and breast cancer.

Why Delay Your Period? 

Women know how frustrating, uncomfortable, and painful it is to go through periods every month. The benefits of taking Utovlan is that you can use it to delay your period to make way for your activities. Is it normal to delay your period? It is perfectly up to you; there are strict criteria on why you should delay your period. 

Doctors can also prescribe it if you want to delay your period. As mentioned, the active progestogen causes the bodyā€™s progesterone levels to stay artificially high, which causes the endometrium to delay its shedding; thus, delaying your period.

What Do I Need To Know Before Taking Utovlan? 

Like all medicines, you need to consider your personal or medical conditions before taking Utovlan as it may not be best or work for you. It is best to consult your doctor first.

Do Not Take Utovlan if

  • you are allergic to norethisterone or other similar hormone medicines, or other ingredients listed in Utovlanā€™s packaging
  • you are pregnant or suspect you might be pregnant
  • you have or have had any unexplained vaginal bleeding
  • you or any immediate family members have problems with blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
  • you have had a heart attack or angina
  • you have liver problems
  • you have had jaundice or pemphigoid gestationis during pregnancy
  • you have severe pruritis
  • you have porphyria

Are There Any Precautions I Should Know About? 

Before taking Utolvan, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have epilepsy, migraine headaches, asthma, and heart and kidney problems. Doing so will help determine if the contraceptive is suitable for you. 

Also, if you experience any mood changes and depressive symptoms, contact your doctor right away for further medical advice. Some reports say that women taking hormonal contraceptives, including Utovlan, may experience depression or depressed mood, so keep this in mind.

You also have to tell your doctor if you are under any of these medications:

  • Epilepsy-related medicine (phenytoin, carbamazepine)
  • Antibiotic medicines (tetracyclines, rifampicin, co-trimoxazole)
  • HIV treatment/medicines (e.g. ritonavir, nelfinavir)
  • Anticancer medicines
  • Herbal preparations with St Johnā€™s wort
  • Aminoglutethimide
  • Ciclosporin
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Medicines for high blood pressure

It may also affect blood test results; hence, the need to tell your doctor before getting any blood work or hospitalisation.