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 is a type of the combined contraceptive pill to prevent unwanted pregnancies from occurring. It works by stopping an egg from being released each month for fertilisation by releasing synthetic versions of progesterone and oestrogen into the womb. It also prevents sperm from entering through the vagina by thickening the mucus at the entrance to the womb and thinning the womb lining to make it difficult for an egg to attach itself should fertilisation occur. 

When does Femodette start to work?

The best time to start taking Femodette is on the first day of your period where it will start to work right away. If you start taking it on days 1-5 of your cycle then you'll have immediate protection. You can start taking Femodette at any time during your cycle but if it's after day five then you'll need to use an additional method of contraception, like condoms or a diaphragm, for seven days.

How effective is Femodette?

Femodette is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy if it is taken correctly. 

Active ingredients

The active ingredients in Femodette are progestogen gestodene and oestrogen ethinylestradiol.

Inactive ingredients

The other ingredients include lactose, maize starch, povidone, magnesium stearate (E572), sucrose, macrogol 6000, calcium carbonate (E170), talc, montan glycol wax. 

How to start Femodette

You should ideally start taking Femodette on the first day of your period as this ensures you will have protection right away. You can begin taking the pill at any point in your cycle as long as there is no chance that you are pregnant. If you start taking it after the fifth day of your period you'll need to use additional contraception like condoms for the first seven days to ensure you are protected from pregnancy. 

How to take Femodette

Femodette is taken once a day at the same time each day. The pill packs have the days of the week marked on each one to help you remember to take them. One pack lasts for 21 days. After this you take a seven day break before starting the next pack which is when you'll get your period. 

Femodette dosage

Each pill contains 75 micrograms of the progestogen gestodene, and 20 micrograms of the oestrogen ethinylestradiol. One pill should be taken daily.

What should I do if I missed a pill?

If it's been a full day since you were due to take your pill then this counts as a missed pill. You should take it as soon as you remember and take your next one at the correct time. It's fine to take more than one in the same day. After missing a pill you should use additional contraception, such as condoms, for the next seven days to ensure that you are protected from pregnancy. 

What should I do if I took a pill too late?

If you take your pill later than your scheduled time then this won't affect your protection. Take the pill as soon as you remember and continue to take the rest as usual. 

Femodette side effects

Common side effects that may occur when you first start taking Femodette include: 

• Nausea
• Stomach discomfort 
• Headaches
• Breast tenderness or pain
• Bleeding or spotting between periods 
• Mood changes
• Changes to sex drive

There are also some potential serious side effects associated with taking the pill. The risk is small however it's important to be aware that the pill could lead to: 

• Blood clots
• Breast cancer 
• Cervical cancer
• Liver problems 
• An allergic reaction

If you experience any signs of a blood clot, such as pain in the leg, then seek immediate advice from a doctor.   

Contraindications

Do not take Femodette if: 

• You are allergic to any of the ingredients 
• You have, or have ever, experienced a blood clot
• You have a medical condition which can cause blood clotting 
• You have ever had angina pectoris 
• You have severe diabetes which has caused damage to the blood vessels
• You have problems with high blood pressure
• You have high cholesterol 
• You are prone to migraines with ‘aura’
• You have a history of breast cancer
• You have a history of severe liver disease

Extra care should be taken if: 

• You have Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis 
• You have a disease called systemic lupus erythematosus 
• You have haemolytic uraemic syndrome 
• You have sickle cell anaemia 
• You have hypertriglyceridaemia 
• You have pancreatitis 
• You need to have an operation 
• You have recently given birth
• You have superficial thrombophlebitis
• You have a history of heart problems 
• You are diabetic
• You have varicose veins
• You have porphyria 
• You are obese 
• You suffer from migraines   

Drug interactions

Medicines which interact with Femodette include: 

• Some types of epilepsy medication 
• Some types of HIV and Hepatitis C medications
• Griseofulvin
• Antibiotics 
• Barbiturates
• St. John's Wort

Femodette and Alcohol

Drinking alcohol will not affect Femodette. 

Alternatives to Femodette

Microgynon 30, Levest, Ovranette and Rigevidon are the most commonly prescribed versions of the combined pill. Aside from the mini pill, other long term contraceptives include the contraceptive implant, patch or injection and the IUD or IUS. 

Femodette vs the Mini Pill

Femodette differs from the mini pill as it contains both oestrogen and progesterone. The mini pill has less hormones and only contains progesterone. Both contraceptive pills work in similar ways but the mini pill must be taken within a specific time frame (either 4 hours or 12 hours) to be effective. Due to this it's efficiency rate is 84% after taking into account day to day factors which contribute to forgetting or being unable to take it on time. However, the mini pill may be a good option for women who are unable to take the combined pill. 

Switching contraceptive pill

If you are looking to switch your contraceptive pill then discuss this with one of our doctors who can recommend the best one for you. The pill isn't suitable for everyone and sometimes you'll need to try a few different types to find the one that works for you. If you are switching to Femodette then start taking it as soon as you finish your current pack, skipping the seven day break. If you are taking the progesterone only pill then begin Femodette on the first day of your period, even if that means taking the two different pills at once. 

Can you use Femodette for non-contraceptive purposes?

The combined pill is often prescribed to help treat acne, ease the symptoms of PMS and to make your periods lighter and less painful. 

Can you use Femodette for period delay?

You can delay your period by running two packs of Femodette back to back instead of taking the usual seven day break. This will allow you to skip your period until you reach the end of the next pack. 

If I have vomited, will Femodette still work?

If you vomit less than four hours after taking Femodette then it's likely the hormones have not been absorbed by your body. If this happens, take another pill right away and then continue with the rest of your pack as normal. If you continue to be ill then you should use additional contraception for the next seven days as your protection is likely to be affected. 

When can I get pregnant after taking Femodette?

Your fertility should return as soon as you stop taking Femodette. For some women, it can take six months to get pregnant but for others they may fall pregnant right away. It usually takes a few months for your menstrual cycle to return to normal as your body adjusts to its natural hormone balance. 

Are Femodette and Femodene the same?

Femodette and Femodene are two different brands of the combined contraceptive pill. They are essentially the same but contain slightly different hormonal ingredients. Desogestrel is the name of the progesterone hormone in Femodette whereas Femodene contains Gestodene. 

Can Femodette stop your periods?

Taking Femodette won't stop your periods unless you intentionally run two packs back to back in order to skip your period.  

Can Femodette cause high blood pressure?

If you are healthy and have no underlying issues with your blood pressure then this is unlikely to be an issue. Women with existing high blood pressure may find that Femodette exacerbates this. This is something your doctor will discuss with you before prescribing the pill to determine if it is suitable. If you are a smoker over the age of 35 then you are particularly at risk. 

Sources

• Patient Information Leaflet
• NHS > Combined Contraceptive Pill
• The Sexual Health Hub > Understanding Contraceptive Pill Brands