What is Microgynon 30?
Microgynon 30 is a combined oral contraceptive medication also known as ‘the pill’ or ‘combined pill’. It contains two active ingredients, levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol which are synthetic versions of female sex hormones progesterone and oestrogen and work together to prevent pregnancy.
Levest is the generic, unbranded version of Microgynon 30 and contains the same active ingredients.
How does Microgynon 30 work?
The hormones in Microgynon 30 work together to provide a contraceptive action and prevent pregnancy from occurring by:
• Stopping ovulation from occurring
• Making it harder for sperm to reach the egg
• Making the lining of the womb less receptive to implantation
How to take Microgynon 30?
Microgynon 30 comes in a pack of 63 pills and each box contains 3 blisters of 21 pills.
One tablet should be taken every day at the same time. You should try and start taking the pill on day one of your menstrual cycle as this will provide you with contraceptive protection with your first pill. Swallow each pill whole, with water if necessary. Do not chew the pill.
You should continue to take the pill daily for 21 days, following which you will have a 7-day pill free period. During this pill free period you should have a withdrawal bleed like a period. Following the 7-day pill period you should restart taking pill daily from the 8th day even if you are still bleeding for a further 21 days. You do not need to use extra contraception (such as condoms) during these seven pill-free days – as long as you have taken your pills correctly and start the next strip of pills on time.
You should read the patient information leaflet for more information of how to take this medication, including what to do if you start taking the pill on a different day of your cycle other than day 1.
What should you do if you forget to take Microgynon 30?
If you forget to take Microgynon 30 your contraceptive cover may be compromised and you may be at risk of pregnancy. This may also apply if you suffer from vomiting or diarrhoea whilst taking the combined pill.
You should read the patient information leaflet for Microgynon 30 on what to do if you have missed one or more pills or suffer from vomiting or diarrhoea.
How effective is Microgynon 30?
Microgynon 30 is a highly effective contraceptive pill. When taken correctly, the pill is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. This means that fewer than 1 in 100 who use Microgynon 30 as contraception will get pregnant in 1 year.
It is important to note that no contraceptive pill is 100% effective at preventing pregnancy and no contraceptive pill can protect you against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia.
What are the cautions associated with taking this medication?
Microgynon 30, like all medications may not be suitable for everyone. Therefore, you should have a consultation with your GP, nurse of family clinic to see if you are medically suitable to take Microgynon 30.
Microgynon 30 may not be suitable to take for those individuals with certain conditions including but
not limited to:
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Migraines
- Blood clots
- Cancer
After starting Microgynon 30, it is important to have regular check ups with your GP or nurse to ensure you are suitable to continue to taking the treatment. This is called a pill check.
What are the side effects associated with taking Microgynon 30?
Microgynon 30, like all medications can cause certain side-effects, although not all patients will experience these. Some side effects include: feeling sick (nausea), abdominal pain, headache, mood swings, depressed mood and breast tenderness.
Withdrawal bleeding or spotting between periods can happen at the start of treatment. This often subsides after your body adjusts to the tablets. Speak to your GP if the bleeding is heavy or persistent.
For a full list of side effects for Microgynon 30, please read the patient information leaflet.
Can you take Microgynon 30 with other medications?
You should always make your doctor, nurse or family planning clinic aware of any medication you are taking. This is as certain medication may change the way Microgynon works in your body which can affect its effectiveness. Microgynon may also affect the way other medication works.
Microgynon therefore may not be suitable to take whilst taking certain other medication.
You can find more information about the medications that should not be taken with Microgynon in the patient information leaflet.
What is the difference between Microgynon 30 and Levest?
Levest is the unbranded or generic version of Microgynon 30. Both medications contain the same active ingredients and therefore work to provide contraceptive cover in the same way.
Rigevidon and Ovranette are other combined contraceptive pills which also contain the same active ingredients at the same strengths as Microgynon 30.
What is the difference between Microgynon 30 and Microgynon 30 ED?
Microgynon 30 and Microgynon 30 ED are exactly the same pills and contain the same active ingredients. The only difference is that Microgynon 30 ED contains an additional seven pills per blister with inactive ingredients which are designed to be taken during the 7-day pill free period. The inactive tablets help the user stay in a routine and reduce the chances or a pill being missed in error.
Can you take Microgynon 30 whilst breastfeeding?
You should not take Microgynon 30 whilst breastfeeding. If you intend to start breast-feeding whilst taking Microgynon 30 you should speak with your GP, nurse or family planning clinic to discuss alternative options for contraception.
How can I buy Microgynon 30 online?
Microgynon 30 is a prescription-only medication which can be bought online from a registered online pharmacy such as PostMyMeds. Before being able to buy Microgynon 30 online, you will need to complete a short online consultation form to ensure it is safe and suitable for you to use.
