Marvelon

What type of pill is Marvelon?

<Marvelon is a birth control pill that combines two hormones, which is why it is called a combined oral contraceptive pill. It is mainly prescribed to prevent pregnancy, but is also used for acne and to regulate menstruation.

How does Marvelon work?

Marvelon works in three ways to protect you from pregnancy.

The birth control pill affects ovulation. Ovulation is when an egg is released from the ovary. The pill can stop ovulation completely, but this is not guaranteed.

Marvelon also affects your cervical mucus. When you use the pill, it thickens the mucus so it’s harder for the sperm to get through it and then get to the egg.

Marvelon hormones also affect the lining of the uterus. If you’re not using hormonal birth control, this mucus will build up naturally over the course of a month. When the mucous membrane is shed, that’s when you start your period. But when you use Marvelon birth control pills, this mucus doesn’t build up like it normally does. As a result, your lining is much thinner and your bleeding tends to be much lighter than it would normally be.

How effective is Marvelon?

If you use it exactly as directed, Marvelon is over 99% effective. This means that less than one in 100 women who use it for a whole year will become pregnant.

The effectiveness of Marvelon decreases if the pill is taken in the usual way, such as if you forget to take it or there is a delay in taking it. In this case, its effectiveness drops to about 91% (so usually nine out of 100 women who use the pill in a year get pregnant).

The best way to ensure that Marvelon works as well as possible is to follow the instructions as closely as possible.

How long does Marvelon take to work?

When you first start using Marvelon as a birth control method, it may take about seven days for the pill to work (unless you take it on the first day after your period).

Therefore, when you start taking Marvelon for the first time, you must use another method of contraception if you have intercourse. It should not be another hormonal method (such as a patch or ring) because each product contains a specific amount of hormones that make it safe to use.

Using multiple methods and getting more hormones into your system can have adverse effects on your health. Instead, use a condom or diaphragm when you have sex.

How should Marvelon be taken?

Marvelon must be taken at the same time every day to be as effective as possible. You can take it with food if you want, but it is not necessary.

You may want to set yourself a reminder or an alarm clock to remember to take Marvelon at the same time each day.

When you first start taking Marvelon, you should use a back-up method (such as a condom or diaphragm) for the first seven days until your body gets used to Marvelon and it starts working.

When can I start taking Marvelon?

When you start using Marvelon, you can take it either on the first day of your period and be immediately protected against pregnancy; or start on another day of the month, but use a condom for the first seven days.

If you have taken other pills, you can start taking Marvelon the day after taking the last tablet of the previous pack.

What happens if I miss a pill?

If more than 12 hours have passed since you missed a pill, or if you miss more than one pill, take the last missed pill immediately. Leave any previously missed pills in the lane. And take all subsequent pills as usual (this may mean taking two pills in one day). Use condoms or other backup birth control if you have sex for a week to be as safe as possible.

You should also check how many pills are left in your strip. If there are less than seven tablets left, use extra protection for the next seven days. When you reach the end of your strip, start the next strip the next day without taking a break. If you do not experience withdrawal bleeding after finishing the second strip, take a pregnancy test before starting the next strip.

If you miss one or more tablets from the first strip and you had sexual intercourse during that week, you may become pregnant. Contact your GP or pharmacist as soon as possible to discuss what to do next.

If you find you have seven or more tablets left in your strip, you should use extra protection for the next seven days. When you’re done with your strip, take a seven-day break as usual before starting the next strip. If you have missed one or more tablets during the first week of the strips (days 1-7) and you had sexual intercourse during that week, you may become pregnant. Contact your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible to find out if you need emergency contraception.

If you skip a strip and you don’t bleed during the first pill-free break, you can get pregnant. You should contact your doctor or pharmacist or take a pregnancy test. And if you start a new strip late or take your “week off” for more than seven days, you may not be protected from pregnancy either.

What if I get sick while taking Marvelon?

If you vomit or have diarrhea while taking the pill, it may affect how effective it is. This is because the pills were not absorbed properly by your body. Just use a backup method like a condom until you feel better.