Logynon is a combined contraceptive pill that’s taken daily for 21 days to prevent pregnancy. It is also available in a 28-day pack under the brand name Logynon ED. Logynon is a prescription-only medication so you will need a doctor’s approval to get it.

The active ingredients in Logynon are ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel which are synthetic versions of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone.

Logynon is known as a triphasic pill because it contains 3 different doses that are taken over the 21 days to better mimic your normal menstrual cycle. There are 3 different colour pills representing the 3 doses. For example, each:

• light brown pill contains levonorgestrel 50mcg and ethinylestradiol 30mcg
• white pill has levonorgestrel 75mcg and 40mcg ethinylestradiol
• ochre (sand coloured) tablet contains 125mcg of levonorgestrel and 30mcg of ethinylestradiol

The gradual change in hormones mimics the natural rise and fall in oestrogen and progesterone during a normal menstrual cycle. Together, these hormones work to prevent pregnancy in several ways.

Is there anything else that Logynon can be used for?

Yes. Logynon is primarily prescribed to stop you getting pregnant, but some people also find that it can help with several other symptoms and conditions.

For example, the combined pill may:

• regulate heavy or irregular periods
• improve the appearance of acne
• reduce premenstrual symptoms
• treat some polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) symptoms

Although Logynon and other combined pills may help with some of these symptoms, at Superdrug Online Doctor we only offer the combined pill for contraception and not solely to treat other health conditions. We offer a range of services such, period pain relief treatment, period delay treatment and acne treatment separately.

Logynon prevents pregnancy in 3 ways by

1. stopping an egg from being released by your ovaries (ovulation)
2. thinning the womb lining making it hard for an egg to grow in it
3. thickening the cervical mucus so sperm find it difficult to enter the womb

How long does Logynon take to work?

If you start taking Logynon on days 1 to 5 of your period, and you have regular periods, you will be protected from pregnancy straight away.

If you take it after day 5, you will need to use additional contraception, like condoms, for 7 days before Logynon will be completely effective.

If you do not have regular periods, you will only be protected if you start Logynon on day 1 of your period.

How effective is Logynon?

When taken correctly, Logynon is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. However, typical use of the combined pill means its effectiveness is closer to 91% when factors like whether or not you have vomited whilst taking Logynon, or if you have missed pills are considered.

You can make sure Logynon is as effective as possible by ensuring you do not miss any pills, that you take your pills at the same time every day, and take it exactly as prescribed.

To help you remember to take your pill, you can try using a pill box, a pill reminder app, or set an alarm, whichever is best for you.

Logynon is available to buy in most UK pharmacies once you have been given a prescription for it. You can also request Logynon from reputable online doctor services, or it could be available on the NHS.

Can I buy Logynon online?

Yes, Logynon can be requested from Superdrug Online Doctor, by:

1. Filling in a brief health and lifestyle questionnaire.
2. Requesting your preferred treatment and making payment.
3. One of our doctors will review your treatment request and questionnaire answers.
4. If approved, your treatment will be posted to your address or made available for collection at your local Superdrug Pharmacy.
5. If your request isn’t approved, one of our doctors will contact you via your account with alternative treatment options.

Can I buy Logynon over the counter?

No, Logynon is a prescription-only medication, so it cannot be bought over the counter. You will need to speak to your doctor to obtain it.

Hana is an over-the-counter mini pill that’s available without a prescription.

Can I get Logynon on the NHS?

Yes, Logynon is available on the NHS, but only with a prescription from a doctor or sexual health clinic. Whether a doctor will prescribe Logynon depends on your local guidelines.

Like all medications, Logynon can cause side effects, although not everyone will get them.

Common side effects (may affect between 100 and 1000 in every 10,000 people) include:

• feeling sick (nausea)
• stomach ache
• headaches
• depressive moods
• mood swings
• sore or painful breasts
• weight gain

Uncommon side effects (may affect between 10 and 100 in every 10,000 users) are:

• fluid retention
• breast enlargement
• loss of interest in sex
• skin rash that may be itchy
• upset stomach
• being sick (vomiting)
• migraine

Rare side effects (may affect between 1 and 10 in every 10,000 users) are:

• weight loss
• low tolerance of contact lenses
• increased sex drive
• vaginal or breast discharge

How long do Logynon side effects last?

Logynon side effects usually improve or go away on their own within 3 months as your body gets used to the medication. If you’re still experiencing side effects after this time or you are finding them difficult to manage, let your doctor know.

What to do if you get Logynon side effects?

You can manage most mild side effects at home by:

• taking over the counter painkillers like paracetamol to manage side effects such as headaches, cramps, and breast tenderness
• drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated and manage headaches and feeling sick
• eating smaller more frequent meals if you feel sick
• applying a hot compress to your tummy to relieve cramps

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, call 999 or get someone to take you to A&E immediately:

• signs of an allergic reaction (swelling of the hands, face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing, a red bumpy rash)
• blood clot symptoms, such as pain or swelling in arms and legs, colour changes or warmth around the affected area, shortness of breath, chest pains or coughing up blood

Combined pills can increase risk of blood clots and breast cancer, so it is important to inform your doctor of any relevant familial and personal medical histories if you are thinking about taking them.

If you find any side effects difficult to manage, you should let your doctor know. You can also report any side effects to the Yellow Card Scheme.

Do not take Logynon if you:

• are allergic reaction to any of the ingredients
• have or ever had blood clots in your legs, lungs, or other organs
• have a blood clotting disorder
• need an operation and will be off your feet for a long time
• have ever had a heart attack or stroke
• have or ever had angina pectoris or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
• have severe diabetes with blood vessel damage
• have very high blood pressure
• have a high level of fat in the blood
• have a condition known as hyperhomocysteinaemia
• have ever had a migraine with aura
• have or have ever had breast cancer
• have ever had severe liver disease
• have ever had liver tumours

Logynon and other medication

Some medications can stop Logynon from working properly. Tell your doctor before taking Logynon if you are taking any other medications, including:

• medication to treat epilepsy
• medication to treat HIV or Hepatitis C
• griseofulvin
• antibiotics
• sedatives
• St John’s Wort

Tell your doctor if you are or planning to take any prescription, over the counter, or herbal medication before taking Logynon.

Logynon and pregnancy

Logynon must not be taken if you think or know you are pregnant. If you’re not sure, do a pregnancy test before starting Logynon.

Logynon and breastfeeding

Your doctor or family planning nurse may not advise taking Logynon if you are breastfeeding. You should tell them if you are breastfeeding so they can recommend a suitable alternative.

Other warnings

Logynon can also slightly increase your risk of blood clots and breast cancer. For a full list of warnings, see the Logynon patient information leaflet.

If you are unsure if Logynon is right for you, there are several other types of contraception available, some of which are non-hormonal.

Combined contraception

Combined contraceptive pill

The combined contraceptive pill comes in several forms. For example, Logynon is a triphasic pill that contains different levels of hormones over three weeks, but there are many monophasic pills available which contain the same level of hormones in each pill consistently throughout the pack.

Some pills also contain a lower oestrogen dose, which may be more suitable if you’re more sensitive to oestrogen’s effects. There are also several different synthetic progesterones to choose from.

Some of the combined pills Superdrug Online Doctor can prescribe include:

• Triphasic pill alternatives to Logynon, like TriRegol and Synphase
• Monophasic pill, like Microgynon 30, Yasmin, Brevinor and Femodene
• Low dose oestrogen pills, like Gedarel 20/150, Femodette and Mercilon

Vaginal ring

NuvaRing is a vaginal ring that’s inserted into your vagina and releases oestrogen and progesterone. It’s easy to insert, doesn’t interfere with sex or wearing tampons, and needs to be removed after 3 weeks.

Contraceptive patch

Evra patches are worn on the skin and release the hormones oestrogen and progesterone steadily to prevent pregnancy. They may be a better option if you struggle to remember to take a daily pill because they need to be changed once a week.

Progesterone-only contraception

If oestrogen-containing contraception is not right for you or you’d prefer not to take it, progesterone-only contraception, like the mini pill, may be a suitable alternative.

There are several different types of progesterone-only contraception available including:

• Prescription mini pills – some popular examples include Cerelle and Cerazette.
• Over-the-counter mini pills – Hana can be bought over the counter at most UK pharmacies and online from reputable services without a prescription.
• Contraceptive injections – progesterone-only injections are given by a trained medical professional and can be effective for 8 to 13 weeks.
• Contraceptive implants – a small plastic rod is inserted under the skin by a doctor or nurse which releases progesterone to stop you getting pregnant. It can last for up to 3 years.
• Intrauterine systems – the IUS is also known as the coil and is inserted into your womb by a doctor or nurse and can last between 3 to 8 years.

Non-hormonal contraception

If you’d prefer to try non-hormonal contraceptive methods, the following are available:

• male and female condoms
• diaphragms
• copper coil (intrauterine device)

Does Logynon stop periods?

Logynon can stop your periods but you may still experience breakthrough bleeding. If you take 2 Logynon strips back to back and do not have a 7-day pill-free break you can avoid having a withdrawal bleed, but you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist before doing this.

Can Logynon cause weight gain?

Although weight gain is listed as a potential Logynon side effect, there is no clinical evidence to suggest that the combined pill causes weight gain. However, some women experience weight fluctuations while taking the pill due to ways it can sometimes affect fluid retention.

Does Logynon help clear acne?

The combined pill, including Logynon, can help improve acne, especially if it is caused by hormonal fluctuations or gets worse around the time of your period.

Can I use Logynon as emergency contraception?

No, Logynon is not an emergency contraception. The morning after pill, on the other hand, is taken after you have had unprotected sex to stop you getting pregnant.

Can I take Logynon to delay my period?

Yes, you can take Logynon back to back to delay your period, but you should speak to your doctor before doing this. If you’re thinking about starting the contraceptive pill to delay your period, you may want to consider period delay tablets instead.

Are Logynon and Microgynon the same?

Logynon and Microgynon contain the same active ingredients, levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol, and work in the same way to prevent pregnancy. However, Microgynon pills contain the same amount of hormones in every pill (monophasic) whereas Logynon is a triphasic pill where the hormone levels fluctuate over the 21 days you take it.