Femodette

What is Femodette?

Femodette is a type of contraceptive pill, known as the combined oral contraceptive. It contains two active ingredients - ethinylestradiol and gestodene - which are synthetic versions of the female sex hormones, oestrogen and progestogen. Femodette is prescribed primarily as a contraceptive, but some doctors may also prescribe Femodette for period delay, alleviation of period pains and to help mood swings associated with the menstrual cycle. 

How does Femodette work?

Femodette contains synthetic forms of the oestrogen and progestogen. This allows it to artificially increase the levels of these hormones in the body, which can then impact your fertility temporarily. The elevated levels of these hormones prevents ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovaries) and also thickens the mucus around the entrance to the womb, which makes it harder for a sperm to get through and fertilise an egg. 

What is the difference between Femodette and other contraceptive pills?

The main difference between Femodette and other contraceptive pills is the forms of synthetic hormones that are used. All combined oral contraceptive pills contain synthetic forms of the female sex hormones, oestrogen and progestogen. However, the exact ingredients may be slightly different. In Femodette the active ingredients are ethinylestradiol (synthetic oestrogen) and gestodene (synthetic progestogen). Another type of contraceptive pill called the mini-pill or progestogen-only pill is also available. These pills do not contain a synthetic oestrogen and may be more suitable for you if you have migraines. These pills are designed to be taken in a certain order and every day, without a break for your period. 

How effective is Femodette?

If it was always used perfectly, Femodette and other combined oral contraceptive pills would be over 99% effective. However, due to human error and individual differences, in reality, Femodette is 91% across the population. However, the failure of a contraceptive method does not guarantee you will become pregnant, so the rate of pregnancy in people who take Femodette is much lower than 9%. Femodette does not protect against STIs, so it is a good idea to use another method of contraception with a new sexual partner, even if you are taking Femodette. 

Who is Femodette most suitable for?

Femodette may be suitable for you if you:

• Are under 40 years old

• Are not diabetic

• Are a non-smoker, or a smoker under 35 years old

• Are a healthy weight, not obese

• Are not a migraine sufferer

• Have taken the contraceptive pill before

• Have not experienced any side effects from other contraceptive pills in the past, or if your only side effect has been swelling or breast tenderness

When to start taking Femodette

If you are currently taking another contraceptive pill, you can start taking Femodette as soon as you finish your last pack of pills. Otherwise, ideally you should take the first pill on the first day of your period. You can start taking Femodette on a different day, but you should use another contraceptive method for approximately a week, until the Femodette becomes effective.

The active ingredients in Femodette are ethinylestradiol and gestodene. Ethinylestradiol is a synthetic form of oestrogen and gestodene is a synthetic form of progestogen. 

Very common side effects of taking Femodette (affecting 1 in 10 people) include:

• Headache

• Diarrhoea

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Menstrual problems (painful or irregular periods)

• Gastrointestinal problems

Common side effects of taking Femodette (affecting 1 in 100 people) include:

• Acne
• Back pain
• Chest pain
• Constipation
• Depression
• Dizziness
• Difficulty sleeping
• Mood changes
• Weight gain

Rare but serious side effects of Femodette include:

• Increased heart rate

• Blood clots and thrombosis

• Slight increase in the risk of breast and cervical cancer

If you experience any severe side effects, including any symptoms of an allergic reaction i.e. difficulty breathing, swelling etc. you should seek emergency medical attention. If you experience any prolonged side effects or side effects which begin interfering with your life, you should speak to your doctor to discuss alternative treatments.