Marvelon

What does marvelon do?

Marvelon prevents you from becoming pregnant by mimicking the hormones which occur naturally in your body. These hormones stop your ovaries from ovulating and the male sperm to get to the egg.

How does it actually work?

Marvelon simply makes your body think it has already released an egg. This stops an actual egg from getting released which means there is no change of a male egg fertilising your egg. In case there is an egg, it also thickens the mucus to prevent the egg reaching the womb.

Why do I need to get my blood pressure checked before starting the pill?

Combined contraceptive pills can raise your blood pressure which can be dangerous especially if you are pregnant. You blood pressure must be under 140/90 which can only be clarified by checking it accurately. Once you have started the contraceptive pill you can request a further supply from our online service, as long as you get annual blood pressure checks thereafter. Most pharmacies can check it for you free of charge.

How effective is Marvelon in preventing pregnancies?

Marvelon like most other contraceptives is 99% effective in stopping you from becoming pregnant; it is taken in the correct manner. Marvelon has been part of extensive research; the results found the chance of getting pregnant was less than 1 per year in 8000 women.

Is Marvelon different from other contraceptives?

Marvelon is a combined contraceptive pill therefore it is similar to any other combined contraceptive pill such as cilest or loestrin. The only difference is the active ingredients (the synthetic versions of the natural hormones) but it works in the same way.

Are there any benefits of Marvelon?

Marvelon is a simple and reliable contraceptive pill to regulate your period. It also helps relieve pain experienced during period, and possibly lower the risk of cancer in the womb and the ovaries.

Are there any drawbacks to Marvelon?

The fact that you have to take the pill daily for 3 weeks can be an inconvenience for some people, but it is effective if you take it properly. Also if you have BMI above 35 and / or you are over the age of 35 and smoke then please speak to your GP before taking any contraceptive pill.

Can I still become pregnant in the future?

Yes, once you stop taking Marvelon, your natural hormones return and you can get pregnant just like you could have before starting the pill. You will almost not become pregnant long as you are on the pill, but it is a temporary thing and the process is reversible soon as you stop return your body back to its natural state.

Am I more likely to have a heart attack using Marvelon?

No, you are not at a higher risk of heart attack by using Marvelon.

Will Marvelon make me fat?

No, Marvelon does not increase your weight. This was an issue with contraceptives in the past, modern combined oral pills like Marvelon and Cerazette contain low amounts of progesterone associated with weight again and it is much more effective therefore weight gain is not a side effect for this pill.

Will Marvelon protect me from sexually transmitted infections?

No, you need to use a condom or have a test to make sure your partner is not infected prior to having unprotected sex.

When should I start taking the pill?

You should take the first pill of Marvelon on the first day of your period and continue for 21 days.

Marvelon contains the active ingredients desogestrel 0.15mg and ethinylestradiol 0.03mg which are similar to the hormones oestrogen and progestogen.

Take one tablet daily at the same time each day for 21 consecutive days, followed by a 7 day break with no tablets. You should first start Marvelon on day one of your period unless it has already begun then you should start on day 5 whether or not bleeding has stopped. If started on day 5, an additional method of contraception, such as a condom, should be used to prevent pregnancy.

Common side effects of taking Marvelon include:

• Breast pain or tenderness
• Depression or mood changes
• Nausea
• Changes in weight
• Fluid retention
• Changes in vaginal discharge
• Bleeding and spotting between periods
• Headache or migraine (seek medical advice if these are unusually bad or if migraine is experienced for the first time)

Rare, serious side effects of taking Marvelon include:

• Severe allergic reaction
• Blood clots
• Liver problems
• Slight increase in the risk of breast and cervical cancer
• Heart attack or stroke