Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene
About Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene
Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene belongs to the group of combined oral contraceptives used as a means of birth control in women who wish to prevent unwanted pregnancy. It is also used in the treatment of irregular menstrual cycles and may help with pre-menstrual symptoms. It is a hormonal combination that contains two female reproductive hormones, oestrogen and progestogen.
Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene is composed of Ethinyl estradiol and Gestodene. It is essentially an ovulation inhibitor, meaning it inhibits the release of potent eggs from the ovary, thereby preventing pregnancy. In addition, Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene also helps in making cervical mucus inhospitable for the incoming sperm, thereby effectively controlling pregnancy.
Take Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene as prescribed. In some cases, Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene may cause certain common side effects such as nausea, breast soreness, headache and stomach pain. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects consistently.
If you are allergic to any of the components of Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene, please inform the doctor. Consult your doctor before taking Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as it is not recommended in these states. Do not consume Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene with alcohol. Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene is not recommended for use in children. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medications to rule out any interactions.
Uses of Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene
Medicinal Benefits
Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene is a combined oral contraceptive and birth control pill. It contains Ethinyl estradiol and Gestodene. Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene is used to prevent pregnancy by suppressing ovulation and changing the consistency of cervical secretions. Ethinyl estradiol works by reducing the release of the luteinizing hormone (LH) from the brain and moderating the levels of gonadotropins (sex hormones), thereby suppressing ovulation. Gestodene augments this action and also helps in making cervical mucus inhospitable for the incoming sperm, thereby effectively controlling pregnancy. In patients suffering from menorrhagia, Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene reduces the intensity and duration of menstrual bleeding. Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene hence also finds application in the correction of irregular menses.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Breast tenderness
- Mood swings
Drug Warnings
Do not take Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene if you are allergic to any of its components. Inform your doctor if you have/had heart disease, stroke, heart attack, deep vein thrombosis (clot in the legs), pulmonary embolism (clot in the lungs), migraine with aura, blood disorders, liver disease, uncontrolled diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, very high blood cholesterol, clotting disorders, varicose veins, gall-bladder disease, pancreatic disorders, breast/uterine/cervical cancer, bowel disease, absorption disorders, SLE (lupus), HUS (haemolytic uraemic syndrome), or any kind of anaemia. Keep your doctor informed of your entire family history of any hormone-dependent cancers. Consult your doctor before taking Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene during pregnancy or if you are breastfeeding as it is not recommended in these states. Do not consume Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene with alcohol. Women with a tendency for chloasma/melasma (skin condition commonly seen in middle-aged women) should avoid sun exposure after taking Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene. Women with a history of angioedema should exercise caution while taking Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene as it may worsen the angioedema. Inform your doctor of any medications you are currently on, especially if you are on any antibiotics, antidepressants, antiepileptics, anti-virals, sedatives or any herbal remedies for depression.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene is known to interact with antiepileptics (carbamazepine, phenytoin), blood-thinners (warfarin), anti-diabetics (insulin), HRT (tamoxifen), antidepressants (St. John’s wort), antibiotics (rifampicin), antifungal (griseofulvin), anti-HIV drugs (ritonavir), sedatives (secobarbital, phenobarbital), steroids (dexamethasone).
Drug-Food Interactions: Grapefruit juice, caffeine, and fats may interfere with the absorption of Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene. Proceed with caution.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have abnormal vaginal bleeding, angioedema, carcinomas, hypertension, DVT, pulmonary embolism, liver cancers, hypercalcemia, hypercholesterolaemia, uncontrolled diabetes, or migraine with aura.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionCaution should be exercised while consuming alcohol with Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene.
Pregnancy
unsafeEthinyl Estradiol+gestodene is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Please consult your doctor in case of any concerns.
Breast Feeding
unsafeEthinyl Estradiol+gestodene is not recommended for use during breastfeeding. Please consult the doctor in case of any concerns.
Driving
safe if prescribedEthinyl Estradiol+gestodene does not affect your ability to drive.
Liver
cautionEthinyl Estradiol+gestodene should be used with caution in those with liver disease. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
Kidney
cautionEthinyl Estradiol+gestodene should be used with caution in those with kidney disease. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
Children
unsafeEthinyl Estradiol+gestodene is not recommended for use in children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- As nausea and vomiting may occur with the use of Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene, make sure to take it on light, small meals.
- After starting Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene, use another alternative non-hormonal contraceptive for at least ten days.
- Avoid grapefruit juice while taking Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene as this may interact with Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene and affect its absorption.
- Avoid smoking. Smoking interferes with Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene absorption.
- Maintaining a healthy weight can go a long way in promoting healthy female reproductive health. Make sure you exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. However, do not engage in very strenuous physical exercise, as this can worsen bleeding.
- Regularly working night shifts can affect hormone production. Try to avoid night shifts.
- Maintain good sexual hygiene and prevent any sexually transmitted diseases by practising safe sex.
Special Advise
- Do not skip tablets or delay intake by more than 12 hours. Use a condom for 7 days after a missed dose.
- Chart your menstrual cycle and take Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene on Day 1 of your cycle, i.e. Day 1 of your period.
- Use a condom or any non-hormonal contraceptive for the first 10 days after starting Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene.
- Please inform the doctor immediately if you notice breast lump, dark urine, yellowing of the skin, mood changes, headache, palpitations, severe fatigue or any alarming changes in vaginal bleeding.
- Call for the doctor right away in case of any stroke symptoms such as breathlessness, confusion, dizziness, left arm pain, jaw pain or sudden vision changes and pulmonary embolism symptoms such as cough, leg pain, warmth, pain in calf etc.
- Your doctor may advise regular blood tests and cervical smear tests while you are on Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene.
- Inform your doctor in case you have an impending surgery or operation.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea following the use of the tablet can be considered a missed dose. In this case, additional contraceptive measures are advised.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Oral Contraception: Oral contraception is birth control taken by mouth by women to prevent pregnancy. It is commonly referred to as the ‘’pill’’. Oral contraceptives contain hormonal preparations of female sex hormones for birth control.
Menorrhagia: Severe loss of blood during a period lasting more than seven days is called menorrhagia. It is a form of dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Common signs and symptoms include having to use two pads at once, frequent spotting of clothes, blood clots the size of a coin or larger, having to change pads during the night, and spillage.
FAQs
Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene works by suppressing ovulation and by changing cervical mucous thickness, thereby preventing pregnancy and acting as an effective birth control method.
It is advisable not to use Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene for at least a minimum of 3 weeks after delivery. You can resume Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene 21 days after delivery, as long as you are able to walk. You do not have to wait for your period. After restarting Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene, use additional contraception for 7 days. In case of any concern, please consult your doctor.
Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene is not known to affect conception rates as it has been found that women got pregnant pretty soon after discontinuing Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
Yes. It is essential to inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning to conceive. If you think you are pregnant, stop using Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene and do a pregnancy test for confirmation.
Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene may cause spotting or bleeding between the periods in the first few months. It generally stops once your body has adjusted to Ethinyl Estradiol+gestodene. However, if the bleeding/spotting continues or if you have heavy periods, consult your doctor.
