Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel
About
Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel is an oral hormonal combination drug containing Desogestrel and Ethinylestradiol, primarily used for contraception and in the treatment of dysmenorrhea (irregular and painful periods). Contraception is a procedure that aims to prevent pregnancy and is used in family planning. A woman can only get pregnant if a man sperm fertilizes her egg. Dysmenorrhea is irregular and painful periods, leading to abdominal pain, digestion problems, fainting, vomiting, and nausea.
Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel contains Desogestrel and Ethinylestradiol, primarily used for contraception. Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel contains two female sex hormones which help to prevent pregnancy in multiple ways. It prevents the release of an egg from ovaries and makes the fluid present in the cervix thick, making it difficult for sperm to enter the womb. In addition to this, it prevents the thickening of the uterus's inner wall, which is necessary for an egg to grow and multiple.
Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel can be taken with or without food but take it at the same time every day for best results. Like all medicines, Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The most common side effects are headache, weight increase or decrease, acne, abdominal pain, cramps, and depression. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor. Do not use Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel if you are pregnant or have recently delivered a baby.
Inform your doctor before starting Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel if you are over 35 years, smoke, have or ever had a heart problem, cancer (breast, uterus, or vagina), uterine bleeding, liver or kidney problem. If you have missed a dose or are late by 12 hours, please wear a condom for 5 days during sexual intercourse to avoid unwanted pregnancy. Do not take medicine if you are pregnant already or breastfeeding. If you have a migraine, please inform your doctor, as taking Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel may increase your headache.
Uses of Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel
Medicinal Benefits
Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel is an oral hormonal combination drug, containing Desogestrel and Ethinylestradiol, primarily used for contraception. Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel contains two female sex hormones, progestin, and estrogen, which help prevent pregnancy in multiple ways. It prevents the release of an egg from ovaries and makes the fluid present in the cervix thick, making it difficult for sperm to enter the womb. In addition to this, it prevents the thickening of the uterus's inner wall, which is necessary for an egg to grow and multiple. Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel is generally taken for 21 days starting from day one of the menstrual cycle, and then for the next 7 days, it is not taken, and the same course is repeated.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel
- Headache
- Increase in weight
- Acne
- Abdominal pain
- Cramps
- Breast pain
- Depression
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Please inform your doctor if you have or ever had heart disease, hypertension, obesity, cancer (breast, cervix, or uterus), diabetes mellitus, liver or kidney disease, or abnormal uterine bleeding before taking Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel. Smoking may increase the risk of a cardiovascular event in women over 35 years when taking Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel. Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel does not protect against any sexually transmitted disease or HIV. If pregnancy occurs while you are taking Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel, please consult your doctor to use it as a birth control pill. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Sometimes, you may experience spotting or bleeding in between missed periods or menstrual periods. If the spotting persists, please consult your doctor. Do not use Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel if you are pregnant or have recently delivered a baby. If you have missed a dose or are late by 12 hours, please wear a condom for 5 days while sexual intercourse to avoid unwanted pregnancy. Do not take medicine if you are pregnant already or breastfeeding. If you have migraines, please inform your doctor, as taking Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel may increase your headache.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug interaction: Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel may interact with anti-viral medicines (paritaprevir, ritonavir), blood thinners (aspirin), pain-killer (acetaminophen), anti-anginal drugs (diltiazem), medicines used to treat stomach acid (esomeprazole, fluconazole, omeprazole, letrozole), cyanocobalamin, anti-allergy (cetirizine), antibiotics (moxifloxacin).
Drug-Food Interaction: Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel interacts with non-prescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Also, alcohol consumption and grapefruit juice should not be taken along with Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Inform your doctor if you smoke, have or ever had liver or kidney disease, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, liver disease, abnormal uterine bleeding, breast, cervix, or uterus cancer, anaemia.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionYou are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel to avoid unpleasant side-effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeCaution should be exercised. Hormonal medicines can affect the developing baby. It is advisable to consult a doctor before using it.
Breast Feeding
cautionOther forms of contraception should be used instead of Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
safe if prescribedEthinylestradiol+desogestrel has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive or use machines.
Liver
cautionEthinylestradiol+desogestrel to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionEthinylestradiol+desogestrel to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
cautionSafety and efficacy of Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel are established in women of reproductive age. But sufficient studies have been performed on women less than 16 years of age. So, take Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel only when prescribed by a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Keep your weight under control with a body mass index (BMI) 19.5-24.9.
- Opt for a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, veggies, and low-fat dairy products.
- Quitting smoking and not drinking alcohol is the best strategy to lower the risk of any complications.
- Do regular exercise to maintain weight fluctuations caused due to Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel.
- Monitor your blood pressure daily and if there is too much fluctuation, then immediately contact your doctor.
- Try to include heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acid-containing food drinks in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oil like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, and coconut oil to lower your elevated blood pressure.
- Monitor your blood sugar level and blood pressure regularly to avoid any complications.
Special Advise
- Consult your doctor if you experience menstrual irregularities such as spotting / missed periods/ bleeding between menstrual periods.
- Your doctor may advise regular eye tests and liver function tests.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Contraception: It is a procedure that aims to prevent pregnancy. A woman can only get pregnant if a man sperm fertilizes her egg. Contraception aims to prevent this from happening by keeping egg and sperm apart by stopping egg production or not letting the uterus wall become thick. As a result, no fertilization takes place, so contraception is a safe method for family planning.
Dysmenorrhea: It is irregular and painful periods leading to abdominal pain, digestion problems, fainting, vomiting, nausea. Generally, a menstrual cycle is about 25-30 days. But in dysmenorrhea, this cycle may be short or prolonged, leading to excessive pain.
FAQs
Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel contains Desogestrel and Ethinylestradiol, primarily used for contraception. It prevents the release of an egg from the ovaries and makes the fluid present in the cervix thick, making it difficult for sperm to enter the womb. It also prevents the thickening of the uterus's inner wall, which is necessary for an egg to grow and multiple.
Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel does not protect against sexually transmitted disease. It is an oral form of contraception that does not protect against STDs. So, use some other form of contraception to avoid transmission during sexual intercourse.
While taking Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel, do not smoke and also use a condom to avoid any sexually transmitted disease from your partner.
Yes, Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel can cause spotting in between the regular periods. Usually, it does not persist, but if spotting does not reduce, please inform your doctor as medical attention may be required.
Usually, Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel is prescribed below 35 years and not recommended for women over 35 years. Your doctor may weigh its benefits and prescribe you accordingly.
Yes, Ethinylestradiol+desogestrel is known to cause weight gain. So, to avoid weight gain, do regular exercise, and eat home-cooked food.
