Femodene & Femodene ED

What is Femodene and what is it used for?

Femodene is an oral contraceptive. When used correctly, it will provide near 100% protection against pregnancy. Its two active ingredients, gestodene and ethinylestradiol, prevent ovulation from occurring during the menstrual cycle. Femodene is a monophasic combined pill, meaning each pill contains the same dose of gestodene and ethinylestradiol. Femodene is available in a 21-day pill or a 28-day ED pill; your doctor will decide which is best for you and you should stick to this.

If you have been prescribed Femodene, repeat supplies can be purchased online from The Independent Pharmacy, following a simple medical questionnaire. One of our doctors will review your order on the same working day – if they deem that Femodene is suitable for you, your order will be with you as soon as the next working day.

Femodene contains the same active ingredients as Katya and Millinette 30.

How does Femodene work?

Pregnancy occurs when an egg released from the ovaries is fertilised by sperm. In a normal menstrual cycle, the ovaries release one egg each month – this is the process of ovulation. This process is controlled by the female sex hormones progesterone and oestrogen. Femodene contains two synthetic hormones, gestodene and ethinylestradiol, which imitate these two natural hormones. They control the levels of each hormone in such a way that prevents an egg from being released. The Pill also makes it more difficult for sperm to reach the uterus, by thickening the fluid that is in the cervix.

During a regular menstrual cycle, the endometrium (the wall of the uterus) builds up in preparation for a fertilised egg. Femodene reduces the extent of this buildup, making it less likely that a fertilised egg will develop into an embryo. As a further result, periods become lighter.

Femodene may reduce acne, and protect against conditions such as fibroids, ovarian cysts and pelvic inflammatory disease. It will not protect against sexually transmitted infections.

Sources

• Femodene Tablets, Patient Information Leaflet:

  https://www.medicines.org.uk/e...

• Femodene ED Tablets, Patient Information Leaflet: https://www.medicines.org.uk/e...
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/combined-contraceptive-pill/
• https://patient.info/medicine/combined-hormonal-contraceptives#nav-4
• https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/ethinylestradiol-with-gestodene.html

Femodene warnings

Reading the following warnings carefully will help to ensure you are selecting an appropriate product.

Femodene is unsuitable for you if you have:

• An allergy to any of the ingredients of Femodene
• A history of breast cancer
• A blood clotting disorder
• Ever had a blood clot
• A history of heart attack or stroke
• Angina pectoris
• Very high blood pressure
• Severe diabetes
• High levels of lipids in the blood
• Impaired liver function
• Severe migraines.

You may be advised not to take Femodene if you suffer from any of the following conditions:

• Crohn’s disease or chronic inflammatory bowel disease
• Kidney failure
• Sickle-cell anaemia
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Pancreatitis
• An inflammation of veins under the skin
• Varicose veins
• Diabetes
• Porphyria
• A family history of blood clots or circulation problems
• Obesity
• Migraines.

Do not use Femodene if you have breast cancer, or if you have had it before. Long-term use of hormonal contraceptives may slightly increase your chance of developing breast cancer. Once you have stopped using the Pill for at least 10 years, your risk levels will come back down. Women who are elderly and/or overweight are more vulnerable to breast cancer. Take care using Femodene if a close relative has suffered from breast cancer before. Check your breasts and nipples regularly for any changes or lumps. If you notice anything abnormal, visit your doctor as soon as you can.

You may be more susceptible to blood clots while taking Femodene, especially during the first year of use. Talk to your GP before having any operation while taking the Pill. You may need to stop using Femodene in advance of the operation to avoid the increased risk of a blood clot. You are also at a heightened risk of developing a blood clot if you:

• Smoke
• Are obese
• Have a family history of blood clots
• Do not exercise regularly
• Have had a miscarriage in the past
• Have recently given birth.

Femodene may increase your chance of developing cervical cancer. For this reason, you should have regular smear tests while taking the Pill.

If you require any blood test, inform your doctor of which medicines you are taking – Femodene may alter the results of some blood tests.

Femodene and other medicines

The following medicines may impact the effectiveness of Femodene:

• Epilepsy medicines (e.g. phenytoin, carbamazepine)
• HIV medicines
• Hepatitis C medicines
• Some antibiotics
• Barbiturates
• St John’s Wort
• Griseofulvin

Please read all packaging and the Product Information Leaflet before taking any new medicine and inform your doctor of medicines you are taking or intend to take.

Femodene directions

If possible, begin taking Femodene on the first day of your period - if you begin taking the pill in the first five days of your cycle, you will be immediately protected from pregnancy.

1. There are 21 Femodene pills in a strip. Take one tablet at a similar time each day. Once you have finished a strip, you will stop taking the pill for seven days. During this time you will have a normal bleed. Once seven days have passed, begin your next cycle of treatment.
2. If you take Femodene ED, you will not have a break, your pill runs in 28-day cycles and is taken continuously.

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, even if it is nearly time for your next pill. If you have missed one day, you should still be protected from pregnancy. If you miss multiple days, you are advised to use additional contraception for the following seven days.

Femodene ingredients

The active ingredients contained in Femodene are 75mcg gestodene & 30mcg ethinylestradiol.

Femodene also contains the following inactive ingredients to make up the complete product:

Lactose, maize starch, povidone, magnesium stearate (E572) sodium calcium edetate, sucrose, macrogol 6000, calcium carbonate (E170), talc, montan glycol wax.

Femodene side effects

Not everyone will experience side effects when they take Femodene, however if you do they may include:

• Nausea
• Weight gain
• Headaches
• Stomach pain
• Mood swings
• Breast pain

If you are concerned about these effects, or if the product affects you in any other way, stop using it and talk to your doctor or pharmacist.