Marvelon is a prescription-only, combined, oral contraceptive pill, also known as ‘the pill’, taken to prevent unwanted pregnancy.

The 2 active ingredients in Marvelon are man-made versions of the hormones, oestrogen (ethinylestradiol) and progesterone (desogestrel). They work together to prevent pregnancy, but Marvelon can also improve the symptoms of mild acne and regulate irregular or heavy periods. Some find that it also helps to improve premenstrual syndrome symptoms or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

However, at Superdrug Online Doctor, we only offer combined pills as a method of contraception and not solely to treat other health conditions.

Marvelon works in 3 ways to prevent pregnancy. It:

1. stops an egg from being released by the ovaries (ovulation)
2. thins the womb lining making it hard for an egg to implant itself
3. thickens the cervical mucus making it difficult for sperm to reach an egg

How long does Marvelon take to work?

If you start Marvelon on days 1 to 5 of your period, you will be protected from becoming pregnant straight away.

If you start Marvelon after day 5 of your period, you will need to use an additional form of contraception, like condoms, for 7 days. After 7 days you will be protected against pregnancy.

How effective is Marvelon?

If used correctly, Marvelon can be more than 99% effective at stopping you from becoming pregnant. However, according to the NHS, typical use of the combined contraceptive pill means it’s likely to be closer to 91% effective when factors such as illness (e.g. vomiting) or missed pills are considered.

To ensure Marvelon is as effective as possible, do not miss any doses and take it at the same time each day. Use pill boxes, alarms, or a pill reminder app to help you remember.

Swallow each Marvelon pill whole with water, if necessary. You should take 1 pill every day, at the same time, for 21 days and as follows:

• begin by taking a pill marked with the correct day of the week, so if it is a Monday, take a pill marked ‘Mon’
• continue taking a pill each day following the directions of the arrows printed on the blister pack until you have finished all 21 pills

After you have taken all 21 pills, have a 7-day pill-free break. You will still be protected during this break if you have taken your pills on time and as instructed by your doctor. After a few days you should experience a withdrawal bleed, similar to a period.

Start a new Marvelon strip after the 7 pill-free days, even if you are still bleeding.

If you take Marvelon correctly, you will always begin a new strip on the same day of the week. If you struggle to remember to take your pill at the same time each day, it can be helpful to set an alarm as a reminder.

When should I start taking Marvelon?

You should start taking Marvelon on days 1 to 5 of your period to be immediately protected from becoming pregnant.

If you start taking Marvelon after day 5 of your period, you won’t be protected straight away and will need to use condoms for the first 7 days if you have sex.

What if I miss a pill?

If you miss a pill and it is:

• less than 12 hours since you should have taken the pill, take the missed pill as soon as you remember, even if it means taking 2 pills in 1 day, then take your next pill as normal – you will still be protected
• more than 12 hours since you missed your pill or you have missed more than 1 pill, take the most recently missed pill straight away but leave any earlier missed pills in the strip, then take the next scheduled pill as normal. You will need to use additional contraception, like condoms, for 7 days. Check how many pills are left in the strip after the most recently missed pill.

If there are 7 or more pills left in the pack, you must use extra precautions for 7 days. Then, when you have finished the strip, have your normal 7-day pill-free break before starting the next Marvelon strip.

If there are less than 7 pills left in the pack, you must use extra precautions for 7 days. Then, when you finish the current strip, you should start the next strip the next day without a break. If you do not have a withdrawal bleed when you have finished the second strip, do a pregnancy test before starting the next strip.

In either case, if you missed at least 1 pill in the first week of your strip and you had sex that week, there is a chance you could be pregnant. You should contact your doctor, pharmacist, or family planning nurse as soon as possible for advice.

You can buy Marvelon in most UK pharmacies once you have a prescription for it. You can also request Marvelon online from reputable online doctor services or it may be available on the NHS.

Can I buy Marvelon online?

Yes, you can request Marvelon quickly and easily from Superdrug Online Doctor, by:

1. Filling out 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 is not approved, one of our doctors will contact you via your account with alternative treatment options.

Can I buy Marvelon over the counter?

No, Marvelon is not available over the counter. It is a prescription-only medication, so you will need to see or speak to a doctor to obtain it. If you want an over-the-counter contraceptive pill, consider Hana.

Can I get Marvelon on the NHS?

Yes, Marvelon may be available on the NHS, but you will need to speak to your doctor to see if it is suitable for you and to get a prescription.

Common side effects that can affect up to 1 in 10 people are:

• weight gain
• headaches
• painful or tender breasts
• mood changes, depression
• feeling sick (nausea)
• abdominal pain

Uncommon side effects that can affect up to 1 in 100 people include:

• being sick (vomiting)
• diarrhoea
• skin problems like hives or a rash
• enlarged breasts
• fluid retention
• migraine

Rare side effects that may affect up to 1 in 1000 people include:

• breasts produce a milky liquid
• changes in vaginal secretions
• irregular vaginal bleeding
• bruise-like swelling to the shins
• erythema multiforme, a skin condition
• hypersensitivity reactions
• weight loss
• harmful blood clots in a vein or artery in a leg, foot, lung or heart attacks, stroke, mini strokes or blood clots in the liver, stomach, intestine, kidneys or eye
• discomfort in the eyes if you wear contact lenses
• increase in sexual drive

How long do Marvelon side effects last?

Marvelon side effects are usually mild and short-lasting. They should go away on their own once your body gets used to the change in hormone levels, usually within 3 months. If you’re still experiencing side effects after this time or are finding them particularly difficult to manage, let your doctor know.

What to do if you get Marvelon side effects?

Most common side effects are mild and can be managed at home by:

• taking over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol to manage pain associated with headaches, cramps, or breast tenderness
• drinking plenty of clear fluid to keep you hydrated and manage symptoms like headaches and feeling sick
• eating smaller, more frequent meals if you are feeling sick
• applying a hot compress to your lower abdomen to manage cramps

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

• signs of an allergic reaction (swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing, or swallowing)
• blood clot symptoms

If you experience any side effects that are particularly bothersome, you should let your doctor know. You can also report side effects, even those not listed in the patient information leaflet, to the Yellow Card Scheme.

Do not take Marvelon if you:

• are allergic to any of its ingredients
• have or ever had a blood clot in your legs, lungs, or other organs
• have a blood clotting disorder
• need an operation or will be off your feet for a long time
• have ever had a heart attack or stroke
• have or have ever had angina or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
• have severe diabetes
• have very high blood pressure
• have very high blood fats such as triglycerides or cholesterol
• have a condition called hyperhomocysteinaemia
• have ever had a migraine with aura
• have severe liver disease
• have ever had a liver tumour
• have or ever had pancreatitis
• experience unexplained vaginal bleeding
• are or think you are pregnant
• have any cancer affected by sex hormones, such as breast, womb lining or ovarian cancer
• have hepatitis C or are taking medication for hepatitis C

Other medications and Marvelon

Some medications stop Marvelon from working properly, such as medications used to treat:

• epilepsy
• tuberculosis
• HIV infection
• Hepatitis C
• other infectious diseases
• high blood pressure or blood vessels in the lung
• depressive moods

You should tell your doctor before taking Marvelon if you are receiving treatment for any of the conditions listed above or if you are taking any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Marvelon must not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. You should talk to your doctor or family planning nurse about suitable alternative contraception during breastfeeding.

Several alternative contraception methods are available if Marvelon is not right for you.

Combined hormonal contraception

• Microgynon 30 – the most popular combined pill contains ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel
• Gedarel – contains ethinylestradiol and desogestrel but is available in a standard and low oestrogen dose
• Rigevidon – contains levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol and can also help manage heavy periods, acne and PCOS
• Yasmin – contains a different type of synthetic progesterone called drospirenone, similar to another pill called Lucette
• Evra patch – a sticky patch that’s applied directly to your skin and releases oestrogen (ethinylestradiol) and progesterone (norelgestromin) and is applied once a week
• NuvaRing – a vaginal ring that’s inserted directly into the vagina and releases oestrogen and progesterone steadily over 3 weeks to prevent pregnancy

If you’re not sure which contraceptive pill is right for you, you can book a contraceptive pill consultation with one of our doctors.

Progesterone-only contraception

Progesterone-only contraception is suitable for women who can’t take or choose not to take oestrogen. It’s also suitable for women over 35 who smoke. There are several different types of progesterone-only contraception available:

• Prescription mini pills – popular examples include Cerelle, Cerazette, Noriday, and Norgeston.
• Over-the-counter mini pills – Hana is available without a prescription from reputable online services and at most pharmacies.
• Contraceptive injections – contains a man-made version of progesterone and lasts for 8 to 13 weeks depending on the type you are given, it must be given by a trained medical professional.
• Contraceptive implants – a small plastic rod that is inserted under the skin by a doctor or nurse and releases progesterone to prevent pregnancy, it lasts for 3 years.
• Intrauterine systems – also known as the coil, the IUS is inserted into the womb by a doctor or nurse and can last for 3 to 8 years.

Non-hormonal contraception

Various non-hormonal contraceptive methods are available, including:

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

Does Marvelon stop periods?

Marvelon can stop periods but you may still get breakthrough bleeding. You can avoid the normal pill-free break when you would usually get a withdrawal bleed and start your next pack straight away but you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist before doing this.

If you want to delay your period, you could consider requesting period delay treatment, but you can’t use this if you’re already on the combined pill.

Can Marvelon cause weight gain?

There is no clinical evidence to suggest that Marvelon causes weight gain, but some women do experience weight gain or fluctuations while taking it.

Are Marvelon and Microgynon the same?

No, they are not the same, they are both combined contraceptive pills but they contain different active ingredients. Marvelon contains desogestrel (progesterone) and ethinylestradiol (oestrogen), while Microgynon contains the same synthetic oestrogen, ethinylestradiol, but a different type of progesterone called levonorgestrel.

Does Marvelon help clear acne?

The active ingredients in Marvelon can help to improve acne in some people.

Can I take painkillers when taking Marvelon?

Yes, Marvelon does not interact with painkillers, so it should be fine to take painkillers while you are taking Marvelon. However, if you are concerned about taking painkillers while on Marvelon, you should speak to your doctor for advice.

Can I use Marvelon as emergency contraception?

No, Marvelon should not be used as emergency contraception. Marvelon works to prevent pregnancy in 3 ways, stopping ovulation, thickening cervical mucus, and thinning the lining of the womb. Emergency contraception works to prevent pregnancy happening after unprotected sex occurs.

Can I take Marvelon to delay my period?

Yes, you can take Marvelon back to back to delay your period. You should speak to your doctor before doing this. If you are considering starting the contraceptive pill to delay your period, you should consider period delay tablets instead.