| Strength | Quantity | Price | Stock |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30mcg/75mcg | 63 tablets | £17.10 |  |
Reviewed by Dr Samantha Miller MB ChB
(2017, University of Glasgow)
GMC number: 7561464
Information last reviewed 14/02/2021
Katya is a type of the combined contraceptive pill, one of the most popular forms of contraception available in the UK. It contains two types of hormones, an oestrogen and a progestogen which are released into the womb to prevent pregnancy.
Katya contains ethinylestradiol and gestodene, synthetic versions of oestrogen 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. However, if there are mistakes or it is not used correctly, this can reduce its effectiveness. On average, taking into account that some women will not be able to take it correctly, Katya is 91% 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 on days 2–5 of your cycle you will have to wait 7 days to be fully protected from pregnancy, during which time you should use condoms when having sex.
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 event 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. If you are taking the progestogen-only pill (the mini pill) you can 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 that 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.
If you are less than 12 hours late in taking your pill, your contraceptive protection will not be affected. Continue to take the rest of your pills on time.
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, or you may be more suited to an alternative contraceptive method that doesn’t rely on remembering as much.
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 usually 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 within 4 weeks after stopping 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 every day. It's best to choose a time that is convenient for you to help you remember.
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:
Rare side effects may include:
Do not use Katya if:
If any of the following apply to you, inform your doctor before taking Katya:
Certain medications can interfere with the way Katya works. These include:
Always inform your doctor about any other medicines you are taking, and if you are being prescribed something new, be sure to let your prescriber know you are taking the pill.
The mini pill contains just one type of hormone, a progestogen, rather than Katya which contains both an oestrogen and a progestogen. The mini pill produces fewer side effects and might 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 taken 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:
Dr Felix stocks all available types of contraceptive pills 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 that protects against STIs.
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