Katya is a form of the combined contraceptive pill, one of the most popular forms of contraception available in the UK. It contains two types of hormones, estrogen and progesterone which are released into the womb to prevent pregnancy.
Katya contains ethinylestradiol and gestodene, synthetic versions of estrogen and progesterone which are female sex hormones. The pill works by stopping the ovaries from releasing an egg, thinning the womb lining so that a fertilised egg cannot embed itself and thickening the cervical mucus to make it difficult for sperm to enter.
When used correctly Katya is over 99% effective.
If you begin taking Katya on the first day of your period you will be protected from pregnancy right away. If you start taking it at any other point in your cycle you will have to wait 7 days to be fully protected from pregnancy.
Katya provides some additional benefits aside from protecting you from unwanted pregnancy. It can make your period lighter, less painful and more regular and also reduce premenstrual symptoms. This also makes it a good option for treating the symptoms of endometriosis.
Katya can be used to delay your period if you have an important even coming up where it would be inconvenient to have your period. You can do this by skipping the 7 day break between pill strips and running two packs back to back.
Katya can also be used to treat endometriosis and keep the symptoms under control. If you are diagnosed with the condition, it’s likely that you will be prescribed a hormonal treatment, such as the pill, in the first instance in order to suppress menstruation. To use Katya in this manner, you may be advised to take the pill continuously for 3-4 months at a time but always follow the instructions given by your doctor.
Switching contraceptive pill is a straightforward process. If you are currently on a different type of the combined pill, wait until you reach the end of the pack and start taking Katya the next day instead of having the 7 day break. You can stop taking the mini pill and start taking Katya at any time but you will need to use additional contraception for the first 7 days.
If you stop taking Katya you can get pregnant at any time. Some women may fall pregnant quickly, and for others it may take several months. There are lots of factors which may affect fertility so it's recommended to seek advice from a family planning clinic to ensure you have as much information and support as possible.
The active ingredients in Katya are 30mg ethinylestradiol and 75mg gestodene.
The inactive ingredients are magnesium stearate, povidone K-25, Maize starch, Lactose monohydrate, Povidone K-90, Macrogol 6000, talc, calcium carbonate, sucrose, Wax montan glycol.
If you miss a pill take the missed one as soon as you remember, even if that means you are taking two at once. Continue taking the rest of your pills on time and use additional contraception for the next 7 days as an extra precaution. If you have less than 7 pills left in your current pill strip, skip the 7 day break and begin the next pack right away. If you are unsure of what to do, or have missed multiple pills, see a doctor or pharmacist for advice.
As long as you have taken your pill within a 4 hour time frame then there is nothing to worry about. Continue to take the rest of your pills on time. Your contraception will not be affected. If you find it difficult to remember to take your pill on time, you may find it useful to set an alarm or reminder on your phone.
If you vomit within 3-4 hours of taking Katya it may not be effective. Take another pill right away and continue with the rest of your pack as usual. This will cause your cycle to be one day shorter than usual. If you continue to vomit then you will need to use additional contraception until you have been symptom free for 7 days.
Katya is safe to take long term provided you have no underlying conditions which can be exacerbated by taking the pill. You should have yearly check ups with your GP to ensure your blood pressure is healthy.
Your natural period should return 2-4 weeks after you stop taking Katya. For some women it may take longer than this as your body takes time to adjust.
Katya should be started on the first day of your period where you will be protected against pregnancy right away. If this isn't possible, it can also be started on days 2-5 but you will need to use additional contraception such as condoms for the first 7 days.
Katya should be taken daily for 21 days. When you reach the end of a pack, wait 7 days until starting the next one. This is when you will have your withdrawal bleed, similar to your period. The pill should be taken at the same time everyday. It's best to choose a time that is convenient for you to help you remember.
Each Katya pill contains 30mg of ethinylestradiol and 75mg of gestodene.
If you wish to delay your period using Katya, skip the pill free week between packs. This will delay your period for a further 21 days. It's recommended to ask your doctor for advice before delaying your period.
Common side effects include:
Headaches
Nausea
Mood changes
Nervousness
Depression
Poor tolerance of contact lenses
Acne
Breast pain or tenderness
Fluid retention
Migraine
Breakthrough bleeding
Spotting
Loss of sex drive
Weight gain
Rare side effects may include:
Vomiting
High blood pressure
Blood clots
Liver disease
Lupus erythematosus
Middle ear disorders
Gallstones
Skin pigmentation disorders
Increased levels of fat in the blood
Pancreatitis
Do not use Katya if:
You have ever had a blood clot
You have ever had a heart attack or stroke
You have a condition which can affect your blood clotting
You need an operation or will be off your feet for a long time
You have ever had angina pectoris
You have diabetes with blood vessel damage
You have very high levels of fats in the blood
You have hyperhomocysteinaemia
You have very high blood pressure
You have ever experienced a migraine with aura
You have pancreatitis
You have issues with your liver functioning
You have issues with your kidneys
You have ever had cancer of the breast, ovaries or cervix
You have unexplained vaginal bleeding
You are allergic to any of the ingredients
If any of the following apply to you, inform your doctor before taking Katya:
Crohn's disease
Ulcerative colitis
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Haemolytic uraemic syndrome
Sickle cell anaemia
Hypertriglyceridaemia
If you have recently given birth
Superficial thrombophlebitis
Varicose veins
A family history of breast cancer
Liver or gallbladder disease
Diabetes
Depression
Epilepsy
Porphyria
Angioedema
You smoke and are over 35
Certain medications can interfere with the way Katya works. These include:
Epilepsy medications
HIV medications
Hepatitis C medications
Griseofulvin
Modafinil
Rifabutin
Rifampicin
St. John's wort
Always inform your doctor about any other medicines you are taking or if you are being prescribed something, tell them that you are taking the pill.
The mini pill contains just one type of hormone, progesterone, rather than Katya which contains both estrogen and progesterone. The mini pill produces fewer side effects and may be a good alternative for women who are unable to take the combined pill, such as those with high blood pressure or who are smokers over the age of 35. The mini pill must be take on time for it to be effective and it cannot be used to control your period as it is taken every day of the month.
Other types of the pill which contain the same ingredients as Katya are:
Femodene
Femodette
Millinette
Triadene
Sunya
Dr Felix stocks all available types of the contraceptive pill within the UK including the mini pill and the vaginal ring. Long term reversible methods of contraception include the copper or hormonal coil, the implant and the injection. You can access these options from either your GP or local family planning clinic. Barrier methods of contraception include condoms, diaphragms and the cap. Condoms are the only type of contraception which protect against STIs.
Net Doctor> Katya (ethinylestradiol and gestodene) https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/sexual/a8723/katya-ethinylestradiol-and-gestodene/
NHS> The Combined Contraceptive Pill https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/combined-contraceptive-pill/
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