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All medications from licensed pharmacies
GPhC reg. no. 1120610
All medications from licensed pharmacies
GPhC reg. no. 1120610
Marvelon the brand name of a contraceptive pill that is prescribed for women. Its active ingredients are ethinylestradiol and desogestrel.
Marvelon is a hormonal contraceptive pill or a combined oral contraceptive pill. It contains two active ingredients, ethinylestradiol and desogestrel. Ethinylestradiol and desogestrel are synthetic versions of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which occur naturally in a woman’s body,
Marvelon works by over-riding the normal menstrual cycle of a woman. The hormones that are in the pill trick the body into believing that ovulation has occurred and this stops an egg from being released from the ovaries each month.
Ethinylestradiol and desogestrel also cause the mucus in the womb to increase in thickness. This makes it more difficult for sperm to reach the womb and, in so doing, reach an egg. Ethinylestradiol and desogestrel also affect the womb’s lining and make it less likely that a fertilised egg can be implanted there.
Taking Marvelon will normally result in less painful, more regular, and lighter menstrual bleeding. It is, therefore, sometimes prescribed to women who have problems with heavy, painful or irregular periods.
Marvelon is a monophasic pill. This means that each pill contains the same dose of hormones. One pill is taken daily for twenty-one days, after which you then have a seven-day break. During this break, the levels of the hormones in your blood drop which causes a ‘withdrawal bleed’, a bleed that is similar to your normal period. You should recommence taking Marvelon after a week, even if you are still bleeding
Women who have a history of blood clots or blood disorders should not take Marvelon. Women with high blood pressure, angina or high cholesterol levels should not take it. Marvelon is not suitable for women who smoke more than 40 cigarettes a day.
Your doctor will examine your complete medical history and decide whether Marvelon is a suitable contraceptive for you before prescribing it.
All medicines can cause side effects. The possible side effects of Marvelon include:
