Sunya

What is Sunya 20/75?

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).

How does Sunya work?

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.

How effective is Sunya?

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. 

When does Sunya start to work?

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 for non-contraceptive purposes

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.

Can you use Sunya for period delay?

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.

When can I get pregnant after taking Sunya?

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.

Active ingredients

The active ingredients contained in Sunya are ethinylestradiol and gestodene.

Inactive ingredients

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.

Which ingredients can cause an allergic reaction?

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.

What should I do if I miss a pill?

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. 

• Week one: If you miss a pill within the first week of your cycle, take it as soon as possible even if that means you have to take two at the same time. Keep taking the rest of your pills as usual and use condoms for the next 7 days. If you have had sex in the week prior to this, you will be at risk of pregnancy and should contact your doctor 
• Week two: If a missed pill occurs in the second week of your cycle, ensure you take the missed pill as soon as you can and continue with the rest as usual. You do not need to take any further action. 
• Week three: If you forget to take a pill during the third week, take it as soon as you remember and continue with the rest of the pack as scheduled. Instead of having the 7-day break between pills, start the next one straight away. 

If you miss more than one pill, you should speak to a doctor or pharmacist. 

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

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 I have vomited, will Sunya still work?

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.

Is it safe to take Sunya for a long time?

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.

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

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?

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.

How to take Sunya?

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.

How to use Sunya for period delay?

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: 

• Headaches 
• Nausea 
• Breakthrough bleeding 
• Spotting 
• Mood changes 
• Nervousness 
• Acne 
• Migraine 
• Weight gain 
• Fluid retention 
• Breast pain 
• Lack of sex drive 
• Irritability 
• Depression 
• Inability to tolerate contact lenses 
• Vomiting 

 Rare side effects include: 

• Hypertension 
• Blood clots 
• Liver disease 
• Lupus erythematosus (an autoimmune condition)
• Gallstones 
• Pigmentation disorders 
• Changes to vaginal discharge 
• Issues with the pancreas 

Common side effects should disappear after the first few months. If they persist, ask your doctor for advice. 

Contraindications

Do not take Sunya if: 

• You have ever had a blood clot 
• You have a condition which affects your blood clotting 
• You have ever had a heart attack or stroke 
• You have ever had angina pectoris 
• You are due to have an operation or if you are off your feet for long periods of time 
• You have severe diabetes with blood vessel damage 
• You have a very high level or cholesterol or triglycerides in the blood 
• You have hyperhomocysteinaemia 
• You have migraines with aura 
• You have ever had pancreatitis 
• You are still recovering from liver disease 
• You have a liver tumour 
• You have renal failure 
• You have, or could have, breast cancer or cancer of the genitals 
• You have unexplained vaginal bleeding 
• You are allergic to any of the ingredients in the medicine 

 
Inform your doctor if any of the following apply to you: 

• Crohn's disease 
• Ulcerative colitis 
• Systemic lupus erythematosus 
• Haemolytic uraemic syndrome 
• Sickle cell anaemia 
• Hypertriglyceridaemia 
• You need to have an operation 
• You have recently given birth 
• Superficial thrombophlebitis 
• Varicose veins 
• A family history of breast cancer 
• Liver or gallbladder disease 
• Diabetes 
• Depression 
• Epilepsy 
• A condition which only appeared during pregnancy or previous use of hormonal contraceptives 
• Chloasma 
• Hereditary angioedema

Drug interactions

Always inform your doctor or pharmacist about any medicines you are already taking. The following medications can make interfere with the effectiveness of Sunya: 

• Epilepsy treatments 
• HIV treatments 
• Tuberculosis treatments 
• Antifungals 
• St John's wort

Sunya for endometriosis

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.

Switching contraceptive pill

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.

Sunya vs the mini pill

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.

Alternatives to Sunya

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.