Katya

What is katya?

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. 

How does Katya work?

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.

How effective is Katya?

When used correctly Katya is over 99% effective.

When does Katya start to work?

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 for non-contraceptive purposes

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. 

Can you use Katya for period delay?

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 for endometriosis

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

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.

When can I get pregnant after taking Katya?

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. 

Active ingredients

The active ingredients in Katya are 30mg ethinylestradiol and 75mg gestodene. 

Inactive ingredients

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. 

What should I do if I miss a pill?

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. 

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

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 I have vomited, will Katya still work?

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. 

Is it safe to take Katya for a long time?

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. 

When will my period start again after I stop taking Katya?

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. 

How to start Katya

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. 

How to take Katya

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. 

How to use Katya for period delay

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

Contraindications

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

Drug Interactions

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. 

Katya vs the mini 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. 

Alternatives to Katya

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. 

Sources

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/