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Marvelon - 3 month course

Marvelon

Overview

  • Combined pill
  • Contains oestrogen & progesterone
  • 99% effective if taken correctly
  • 3 months of pills per box

Overview

Buy Marvelon Online

You can request to buy your Marvelon pill online from our UK registered online doctor and pharmacy. Fill in a quick assessment and if appropriate, our doctor will provide a free private prescription. This script goes to our UK pharmacy to be dispensed and the medicine is sent out to you via the Royal Mail service.

What is Marvelon?

Marvelon is a combined contraceptive pill used to prevent pregnancy. It contains two active female sex hormones, oestrogen and progestogen. These are in the form of 150mcg of desogestrel and 30mcg of ethinylestradiol which are also the active ingredients of Mercilon and Gedarel pills.

As well as preventing pregnancy Marvelon (and other combined pills) can help with pre-menstrual symptoms and will usually make periods lighter, more regular and less painful.

How does Marvelon work?

Marvelon uses a combination of female sex hormones which produce a number of effects that can prevent pregnancy. They can prevent an egg from being released (ovulation) and they thicken the mucus around the cervix, which makes it difficult for sperm to pass.

Is Marvelon effective?

Marvelon, like all combined pills, can be up to 99% effective if used correctly. This means that under 1 in 100 women using Marvelon correctly in a year will fall pregnant. Failure to use the pill correctly can result in the effectiveness dropping to 91%.

Marvelon alternatives

There are many methods of contraception. Each may be more suitable to some women over others depending on their health, medicines, and other factors. You should speak to your doctor or pharmacist about which contraceptive pill is right for you.

Some alternative methods of contraception are:

FAQ

  • What are the side effects of the Contraceptive Pill?

    While side effects are usually uncommon and mild in nature, it is best to be aware of any that may occur. Some of the most common side effects include mood swings headaches nausea breast tenderness For a full list of side effects and more information, you can read the NHS Choices site on contraception.

  • What are the Advantages of the Combined Oral Contraceptive?

    • Can reduce the risk of some cancers
    • Can improve acne symptoms (Dianette)
    • Can reduce menopausal symptoms
  • What are the disadvantages of the Combined Oral Contraceptive?

    • Can cause headaches, breast tenderness, and mood changes
    • Can increase blood pressure
    • Can experience breakthrough bleeding
  • What are the advantages of the Progesterone only contraceptive?

    • Reduced likelihood of side effects associated with the combined pill
    • Can be used during breastfeeding
    • Can help with premenstrual symptoms
  • What are the disadvantages of the Progesterone only contraceptive?

    • Can cause irregular periods
    • Can cause periods to be more frequent, or stop altogether
    • Must be taken at the same time each day
  • Which pill is right for me?

    Prescribers will take a thorough medical history before choosing the right contraceptive pill for you. For most people, the combined contraceptive pill works best. For those who are over 35, smoke, suffer from a migraine or have other risk factors your doctor will look into, the Progesterone-only pill may be more suitable.

  • Am I protected straight away?

    Some pills, if taken correctly, will provide protection immediately, while others take time to provide contraceptive cover. Refer to your patient information leaflet to find out when you are protected on your pill.

  • Do I still need to use a condom?

    Although you will be covered against pregnancy with the pill, it is always advised to use a condom. This is to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted disease such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea.

  • I forgot to take my pill – what should I do?

    You should always take your pill around the same time each day to ensure maximum contraceptive cover. Different pills vary in the amount of time you can delay your dose. Always refer to your prescribed medication’s patient information leaflet to find more detailed information relating to missed doses.

Side Effects

Marvelon side effects

As with all medicines, there is some potential for side effects to occur, although not everyone will experience them. If you experience any minor side effects, you should discuss them with your doctor. If you experience any major side effects, stop taking the pill and speak to your doctor.

Some side effects you may experience are:

  • headaches 
  • Weight gain
  • Mood swings
  • Breast tenderness
  • Libido changes
  • Migraines

 

For a full list of potential side effects, including less common but severe side effects, visit the patient information leaflet.

Reviews

Info Leaflet

Before using any medicine, you should read the patient information leaflet for medicine full details.

Directions

How to take Marvelon

Take one pill at the same time every day for 21 consecutive days. Then take a 7-day break in pills. This is where you will have your breakthrough bleed, much like your period.
After the 7-day break in pills has finished, start a new pack, even if still bleeding.

If you do this you will be protected from pregnancy.

Starting the pill

If you take your first pill on the first day of your period, you will be protected from pregnancy right away.
If you take your first pill at any other time in your menstrual cycle you will need to take 7 days of consecutive tablets before being protected. Use additional contraceptive methods during these 7 days.

Missed pills

If you miss your pill and it has been less than 12 hours since your usual time, take the pill as soon as you remember and take your next pill at your usual time. If you do this protection from pregnancy should not be reduced.

If you miss a pill and it has been more than 12 hours since your usual time, take the pill as soon as you remember and take your next pill at your usual time. You may NOT be protected from pregnancy if this happens. You should use additional contraception such as condoms for at least 7 days of active pill taking.

Vomiting and diarrhoea

Vomiting or having severe diarrhoea within 3-4 hours of taking the pill may cause it to be less effective. If this occurs, follow the instructions for missed pills.

Warnings

Marvelon Warnings

Do not take Marelon if you:

  • Have or have previously had a blood clot
  • Are prone to getting blood clots due to an illness, disorder, or other medicine
  • Have ever had a heart attack or stroke
  • Suffer from angina
  • Have had a stoke
  • Have cancer affected by sex hormones, such as ovarian and breast cancer
  • Have any allergies to any of the listed ingredients

 

Combined pills such as Marvelon can increase the risk of blood clots. It is important that you recognise the signs and symptoms of a blood clot while taking this medicine. A full list can be found in the patient information leaflet.

Long term use of combined pills may increase the risks of some cancers such as breast and ovarian cancer. It may also slightly reduce the risks of cervical cancer as women taking the pill are screened more often. It is important you are monitored and screened by your doctor for cancers regularly.

Other Medicines and Marvelon

While taking this medicine it is important that you disclose to doctors, nurses, and pharmacists what medicines you are taking as some may change their effectiveness.

Treatments for the following conditions can cause drops in effectiveness:

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Tyson Wilkman
Tyson Wilkman
Clinical Pharmacist
AHPRA Registration: PHA0002235589