Hana comes in strips of 28 tablets. Each tablet is marked with the day of the week it should be taken on.
- Swallow one tablet whole with water at the same time each day, starting with the appropriate day on the strip’s top line.
- Start a new strip after 28 days, on the same day of the week each time.
- It is common for your periods to stop when taking Hana. This is not a cause of concern.
- If you forget to take Hana at your usual time, but it is less than 12 hours later, then you should take it immediately. If it is more than 12 hours after you usually take it, you must treat it as though you have missed a pill.
When should I start taking Hana?
You can start taking Hana at any point in your menstrual cycle, and when you start taking it will not change how effective it is. However, you may not be protected straight away if you take it at certain times in your cycle.
If you want to be protected from pregnancy straight away, you should start taking Hana in the first 5 days of your menstrual cycle. If you take it after the first 5 days of your cycle you won’t be protected immediately, and you will have to use additional protection, such as condoms, for the next 2 days.
You should start taking Hana the same day the ring, coil or patch is removed then you do not need to use another form of contraception.
What happens if I miss my Hana pill?
If you miss taking your pill at the usual time, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s within 12 hours of the usual time you take your pill, you will not need to use any additional contraception and you will not need an emergency contraceptive.
If you miss your pill by more than 12 hours of your usual time, you should take your next pill as normal, even if it means taking 2 pills on the same day or at the same time. You will also need to use additional contraception, such as condoms, for the next 48 hours. If you have unprotected sex during this time, you’ll need to use emergency contraception as you won’t be protected from pregnancy.
If you use emergency contraception that contains levonorgestrel, such as Levonelle, Hana can be restarted on the same day. You will need to use additional forms of contraception for the next 7 days, as Hana won’t be fully effective.
If you use emergency contraception that contains ulipristal acetate, such as EllaOne, you will need to wait 5 days before restarting Hana. During the time, and for 7 days afterwards (12 days total), you will need to use other contraceptives to prevent pregnancy.
What should I do if I am sick or have diarrhoea after taking Hana?
If you vomit within 4 hours of taking your tablet, or you have severe diarrhoea after taking the pill, you should treat it like you’ve missed a pill.
Can I take Hana to delay my period?
No, Hana is a progesterone-only pill, so it cannot be used to delay your period. Period delay tablets, such as Utovlan, are the best way to delay your period, but you can also take combined contraceptive pills back to back instead of taking your 7 day break.
Can I use Hana as emergency contraception?
No, Hana can’t be used as an emergency contraceptive. If you have had unprotected sex, or the protection you used failed, you should use emergency contraception such as Levonelle (effective for up to 72 hours after unprotected sex) or EllaOne (effective for up to 120 hours after unprotected sex) or intrauterine device (coil).
Can I take Hana if I am breastfeeding?
Yes, you can take Hana if you are currently breastfeeding. Clinical trials have shown that Hana, and other contraceptive pills, do not affect the quality or quantity of the breast milk that you produce. There is no evidence that it will have an impact on your baby. However, if you are concerned, you should talk to your doctor.
Can I drink while taking Hana?
Yes, alcohol does not make Hana any less effective, and doesn’t cause additional or worse side effects. However, drinking alcohol can make it more likely that you will forget your pill, and drinking excessively may cause you to become sick which can make the pill less effective.
Can I take painkillers when taking Hana?
Yes, painkillers do not interact with Hana. Taking painkillers will not cause any additional, or worse, side effects and it will not make the pill any less effective.
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