Reviewed by Dr Samantha Miller MB ChB
(2017, University of Glasgow)
GMC number: 7561464
Information last reviewed 14/02/2021
Sunya is a type of contraceptive pill used to prevent unwanted pregnancies. More commonly known as ‘the pill’, Sunya is a combined contraceptive pill containing two types of hormones: ethinylestradiol (a synthetic oestrogen) and gestodene (a synthetic progestogen).
Sunya prevents pregnancy by stopping ovulation from occurring. This means the ovaries won't release an egg each month so fertilisation cannot occur. The hormones released by the pill essentially trick the body into thinking ovulation has already occurred, giving you an artificial menstrual cycle.
Sunya is over 99% effective when used correctly. Forgetting pills can make the contraceptive less effective and with average use (including those who do not use it perfectly), about 9 women in every 100 taking Sunya will fall pregnant with a year of use.
Sunya starts to work right away if you take it on the first day of your period. If you start it on days 2–5 of your cycle you won't be protected against pregnancy right away so you will need to use condoms for the first 7 days.
Sunya has additional benefits aside from preventing pregnancy. It eases PMS and period pain and can make your period regular and lighter. The combined contraceptive pill also may alleviate acne and ease the symptoms of endometriosis.
Dose |
One pill, taken once a day at the same time each day |
Type of Medicine |
Hormonal contraceptive |
Mechanism |
Prevents ovulation, thickens mucus to make it harder for sperm to reach eggs, and prevents egg attachment to the uterus |
Available Size |
63 tablets |
Available Strengths |
20mcg/75mcg |
Active Ingredient |
ethinylestradiol and gestodene |
Price |
From 27p per pill |
Side Effects |
Can include breakthrough bleeding, spotting, mood changes, weight gain, headache, nausea, vomiting, nervousness, acne, fluid retention |
The active and inactive ingredients of Sunya birth control are not common allergens known to cause a severe allergic reaction. If you have a known hypersensitivity to any of these ingredients, you should let your doctor know and refrain from taking this birth control. Signs of a severe allergic reaction include a rash, difficulty breathing, dizziness and swelling of the face/throat/tongue. It is important to seek medical attention if you experience these symptoms shortly after taking this birth control.
The active ingredients contained in Sunya are ethinylestradiol and gestodene.
The other ingredients contained in Sunya are Magnesium stearate, Povidone K-25, Maize starch, Lactose monohydrate, Povidone K-90, Macrogol 6000, Talc, Calcium carbonate, Sucrose, Wax montan glycol.
It is considered a missed pill if it has been more than 24 hours since you were due to take it.
What you should do next will depend on where you are in your cycle.
If you miss more than one pill, you should speak to a doctor or pharmacist.
If you take your pill later than usual, this will not affect your protection provided you take it within 24 hours. Setting an alarm reminder can help you to remember to take your pill on time.
If you vomit within 3–4 hours of taking Sunya, it's likely that the effectiveness of the pill will be compromised. If this happens, take another pill right away and continue with the rest of your pills as usual. If you are unable to do this, or you continue to vomit, follow the instructions for a missed pill.
It is usually safe to take Sunya long term provided you don't have any health conditions which may make you more likely to experience a blood clot. Your doctor will determine your suitability for the pill before prescribing it to you and ensure that your blood pressure is monitored regularly.
Once you stop taking the pill your period should return within one month. For some women, it may take longer than this, depending on how long it takes for your body to adjust to the hormonal change.
How to start Sunya will depend on what method of contraception you are currently using. If you haven't used a hormonal contraceptive in the past month then you should start Sunya on the first day of your period. You can also begin on days 2–5 of your cycle, but you won't be protected against pregnancy straight away so you will need to use condoms, or an alternative method of contraception, for the first 7 days. If you are changing from another combined pill, begin Sunya after your pill-free week. You can begin Sunya at any time if you are switching from the progesterone-only pill but you will need to use condoms for the first 7 days. After childbirth Sunya should be started after 21–28 days.
Sunya should be taken at the same time each day. The pill is taken for 21 days and then you will have a 7-day break before beginning the next strip of pills. Each tablet will have a day of the week printed next to it. When you start taking Sunya, you should begin with the correct day. This will help you to keep track and remember to take your pill each day.
To use Sunya for period delay simply skip the pill-free week in between packs. This means you won't have a bleed until the end of the second pill strip.
Before taking the pill it's advised that you read through the information leaflet included in the pack. Using the combined pill increases the risk of experiencing a blood clot.
Common side effects include:
Rare side effects include:
Common side effects should disappear after the first few months. If they persist, ask your doctor for advice.
Do not take Sunya if:
Inform your doctor if any of the following apply to you:
Always inform your doctor or pharmacist about any medicines you are already taking. The following medications can make interfere with the effectiveness of Sunya:
Sunya is also an option for treating endometriosis, a painful condition that affects around 1 in 10 women in the UK. By preventing ovulation, the pill stops the excess womb lining tissue from growing in the fallopian tubes or ovaries, easing the pain and pelvic discomfort caused by this. Speak to your doctor if you have, or think you might have, endometriosis.
If you are currently using a different combined pill and planning to switch to Sunya, wait until you reach the end of your current pill strip and start taking Sunya after your 7-day break. When switching to Sunya from a progestogen-only pill (the mini pill) you can do this at any time but you must use an additional method of contraception for the first 7 days.
The mini pill is also known as the progestogen-only pill (POP). It differs from Sunya as it does not contain oestrogen. Combined pills, like Sunya, are not suitable for all women, making the mini pill a good alternative for those who cannot have oestrogen. While there are fewer side effects associated with POPs, they must be taken at the same time each day in order to be effective.
Dr Felix stocks all UK brands of the contraceptive pill such as Cerelle, Microgynon, Rigevidon and Yasmin. The progestogen-only pill is an option for women who cannot take the combined pill or who are sensitive to oestrogen. There are also several long term reversible methods of contraception: the coils, implant and injection. Condoms are the only method of contraception which also protects against sexually transmitted infections.
Sunya can be used for period delay. In order to do this, skip the seven-day break between packs and start the next pill strip right away. You won't have a bleed until the end of the second pill strip. If the combined pill is not suitable for you, you can also delay your period with Norethisterone which is specifically designed for this purpose and stocked by Dr Felix.
Once you stop taking Sunya you will be able to get pregnant once your natural menstrual cycle returns. This will usually be within one month but for some women, it could be longer. There are lots of other factors that can influence fertility. Visiting a family planning clinic for advice will ensure you are prepared for a healthy pregnancy.
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