Microgynon 30

Microgynon is a combined oral contraceptive pill. It is taken daily to prevent pregnancy and can also be used to treat other issues, such as heavy periods.
Microgynon is known as a combined pill because it contains the synthetic versions of two different female hormones: oestrogen (ethinylestradiol) and progesterone (levonorgestrel). Microgynon contains 30mcg of ethinylestradiol and 150mcg of levonorgestrel.

There are two different types of Microgynon available:

• Microgynon 30: this comes in a 21-day pack so you take it every day for 21 days and then have a 7-day break

• Microgynon 30 ED: this comes in a 28-day pack so you take one pill every day without a break

Is Microgynon the same as other combined pills?

Microgynon contains the same dose of levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol as Levest and Rigevidon. The only difference is in the brand names.

There are other combined pills available which have different combinations of synthetic hormones, such as Gedarel. These pills work in the same way, but use different hormones that may be more suitable for some women.

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A doctor needs to prescribe Microgynon for you before you can buy it. 
You can buy Microgynon through a licensed site such as Superdrug Online Doctor, even if you have never had a prescription for it before:

• Answer the short online questionnaire.
• One of our doctors will review your answers.
• If Microgynon is suitable for you to take, the doctor will confirm your prescription.
• You then buy the pills and can either have them sent to your home discreetly (in an unmarked package) or you can ‘click & collect’ from a Superdrug store of your choice.

To check if a site has been licensed to sell medication, use the Government’s online checker.  

Can you get Microgynon over the counter?

Can you get Microgynon on the NHS?

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Microgynon works by releasing synthetic versions of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone into your body. This prevents pregnancy in three different ways:

• stopping ovulation so your ovaries do not release an egg each month.
• increasing the thickness of the fluid around the neck of the womb, so it is harder for sperm to reach an egg 
• reducing the thickness of the lining of the womb, which means it is more difficult for any egg that does become fertilised to implant itself

How long does Microgynon take to work?

If you start taking Microgynon on day 6 or later in your cycle then you won’t be protected from pregnancy straight away. You should use additional protection, such as condoms, for 7 days. If you have unprotected sex during this time, you will need to use emergency contraception to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

How effective is Microgynon?

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There are two different versions of Microgynon, which are taken slightly differently.

Microgynon 30

Microgynon 30 ED

• 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 every day
• at the end of the strip, start your new one on the same day each time
• during the last 7 days of your strip you will be taking the dummy pills and you will have a ‘withdrawal bleed’ which is similar to your period
• you are protected from pregnancy throughout the 28 days 

When should I start taking Microgynon?

To be fully protected from pregnancy immediately it is recommended that you start taking Microgynon in the first 5 days of your period. If you start taking Microgynon on the 6th day of or later in your cycle, you should use additional contraception for 7 days.

If you are changing contraceptive pills or changing from a coil or injection you should make sure you follow the directions given by your doctor to ensure that you are fully protected from pregnancy.

• If you are currently taking a combined pill you should start taking Microgynon at the end of your strip or at the end of your active pills if you are taking a 28-day pill. You will be protected from pregnancy immediately but you will not have a bleed until the end of your first strip of Microgynon.
• If you are currently taking a mini pill, you should start taking Microgynon on the first day of your period even if you have already taken your mini pill that day. You will have protection from pregnancy immediately.

Can I take Microgynon without a break?

What should I do if I miss taking my Microgynon pill?

• take the missed pill as soon as you remember, even if this means taking two pills at once
• continue taking the strip as normal
• you will be protected from pregnancy
• if your strip ends within 6 days of you missing a pill then do not take the 7-day break but start your new strip immediately
• if you are taking Microgynon 30 ED and the active tablets end within 6 days of you missing a pill you should throw away the inactive tablets and start a new pack of Microgynon 30 ED at the end of the active tablets

If you are sick within 3 to 4 hours of taking your pill or have diarrhoea, your body may not have fully absorbed the hormones so you should act as though you have missed a pill. In the case of ongoing vomiting and diarrhoea, you should get medical advice to be clear on whether you need to use additional protection.

If you have missed two or more pills:

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Microgynon is safe for most women to take, and is one of the most commonly prescribed contraceptive pills in the UK.

As with all contraceptive pills, there are some low risks associated with taking Microgynon, and may not be recommended for women who have specific medical conditions. If you have been prescribed Microgynon that means the doctor has assessed your medical condition and knows that Microgynon is a good option for you.

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Microgynon is recommended for many women but the combination of oestrogen and progesterone can make it unsuitable for women with certain medical conditions. If this is the case for you, your doctor may recommend that you try the progesterone-only mini pill instead.

It is important to tell the prescribing GP if you:

• smoke and are 35 or older
• stopped smoking less than a year ago and are 35 or older
• are overweight
• suspect you might be pregnant
• are breastfeeding
• are going to have an operation which means you will be off your feet for a long time
• take certain medicines
• have or have had blood clots on a vein (eg, your leg or lungs)
• have issues affecting your blood clotting or a family history of blood clots
• have or have had a stroke
• have or have had a heart abnormality
• have or have had severe migraines
• have or have had breast cancer
• have or have had disease of the gallbladder or liver
• have or have had diabetes
• have or have had very high blood pressure

Can I take Microgynon if I am taking other medicines?

If you are taking medication or herbal supplements you should tell your doctor before taking Microgynon. If you are already taking Microgynon and you are prescribed another medication, you should also make sure you let your doctor know. This is because the interactions between Microgynon and other medications or supplements can make it less effective.

Medicines for the treatment of the following conditions may stop Microgynon from working properly:

• epilepsy
• tuberculosis
• HIV infection
• hepatitis C virus infection
• other infectious diseases
• high blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs
• depressive mood 

What are the risks from taking Microgynon?

• Blood clots: the oestrogen in Microgynon can cause your blood to clot more easily which can cause deep vein thrombosis (clot in your leg), pulmonary embolism (clot in your lung), stroke and heart attack. The risk for Microgynon is low (between 5-7 women out of 10,000) but it is higher when compared to those not taking any oral contraceptive (2 out of 10,000 women). The risk decreases after your first year of taking Microgynon for the first time and returns to normal within a few weeks of when you stop taking it. 
• Cancer: research has shown that the combined pill can slightly increase the risk of developing breast and cervical cancer. The risk goes up the longer you are on the pill and is increased if you have a family history of breast cancer or you are overweight. Your risk of developing breast cancer goes back to normal 10 years after you stop taking the pill. 
  

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You can read about other people’s experiences, including side effects, of taking Microgynon on The Lowdown.

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• Microgynon 30 tablets (2020) EMC [accessed 23 February 2021]
• Microgynon 30 ED tablets (2020) EMC [accessed 23 February 2021]
• Combined hormonal contraceptives NICE [accessed 23 February 2021]
• Combined contraceptive pill NHS [accessed 23 February 2021]
• Ethinylestradiol with levonorgestrel  NICE [accessed 23 February 2021]

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