Microgynon 30 (ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel) - The contraceptive pill

This article attempts to clarify some of my questions when using the contraceptive pill Microgynon, and after some research time meeting some of the most important reviews and now share with all who have an interest, since the characteristics of the contraceptive pill, side effects, method of use and against -indications, all through a thorough search with the medicine.

Microgynon 30 is a female contraceptive pill use or even oral combined pill. The ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel are the two ingredients of the composition for some other big difference is that those contraceptives are synthetic versions of estrogen and progesterone respectively.

For clarity speak WHAT are these hormones and how they work:

Estrogens are responsible primarily for growth and proliferation of specific cells in the body which are responsible for female secondary sexual characteristics. The progesterone are related to the final preparation of the uterus for pregnancy and breast for lactation.

The combined female contraceptives like Microgynon work to balance the excess of the woman's menstrual cycle, which typically are the levels of sex hormones change throughout each month. The hormones trigger the release of an egg from the ovaries (ovulation) and prepare the uterine lining for possible pregnancy. Towards the end of this cycle, if the egg was not fertilized the levels of the hormone fall cause the endometrium is released causing menstruation.

The big play of contraceptive methods is in the daily dose of hormones that is that women taking the pill and absorbs are mainly by tricking your metabolism causing your body thinking that ovulation has already happened, so that the egg would be released by the menstrual cycle is not not causing the bleeding.

Another feature of the Microgynon contraceptive hormones is to increase the density of the natural mucus at the cervix making it unlikely the passage of sperm from the vagina into the uterus hindering their arrival at the egg. In addition to also change the quality of the uterine lining (endometrium), making it less likely that a fertilized egg can implant. 

Microgynon 30 is a monophasic pill, meaning that each tablet of his chest, has exactly the same daily dose hormones, which is taken daily for 21 days after a break of seven days. What happens during this pause is that hormone levels cause bleeding similar to a normal period. 

Other assistance in the medically this is the count marked on the calendar with the days of the week to help you remember to take a pill every day for three weeks, followed by a week off and despite not taking the tablets this week the woman may be considered protected against pregnancy provided you have correctly taken the preceding day.

Contraindications of the use of contraceptive pill Microgynon

1. Pregnancy
2. Severe disturbances of liver function, jaundice or persistent itching during a previous pregnancy, Dubin-Johnson syndrome, Rotor syndrome, previous or existing liver tumors
3. Existing or a history of confirmed venous thromboembolism (VTE), family history of idiopathic VTE and other known risk factors for VTE.
4. Existing or previous arterial thrombotic or embolic processes, conditions that predispose to disease, for example the processes of coagulation, heart valve disease and atrial fibrillation
5. With sickle cell anemia
6. Breast or endometrial cancer, or history of these conditions
7. severe diabetes with vascular changes
8. Lipid Metabolism
9. History of herpes gestationis
10. Deterioration of otosclerosis during pregnancy
11. Undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding
12. Hypersensitivity to any component of Microgynon 30 ED.

Citation http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/1828/SPC/Microgynon+30+ED/

Special Precautions
Warnings:

Use of any combined oral contraceptive carries an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) compared with no use. The excess risk of VTE is highest during the first year that a woman uses a combined oral contraceptive. This increased risk is less than the risk of VTE associated with pregnancy, which is estimated at 60 cases per 100,000 pregnancies. Some epidemiological studies have reported an increased risk of VTE in women using combined oral contraceptives containing desogestrel or gestodene (pills "third generation" so called) than for women using pills containing levonorgestrel (pills 'second generation' so -called).

The incidence of spontaneous VTE in healthy non-pregnant women (not taking any oral contraceptive) is about 5 cases per 100,000 per year. The incidence in users of second generation pills is about 15 per 100,000 women per year of use. The incidence in users of third generation pills is about 25 cases per 100,000 women per year of use, this excess incidence has not been satisfactorily explained by bias or confounding. The level of these risks of VTE increases with age and is likely to be even greater in women with other known risk factors for VTE such as obesity.

The possibility can not be ruled out that some chronic diseases may be occasionally during use of combined oral contraceptives (see Precautions).

In rare cases benign and in even rarer cases, malignant liver tumors in isolated cases, leading to life-threatening intra-abdominal haemorrhage have been observed after use of hormonal substances, such as those contained in Microgynon 30 ED. If severe upper abdominal complaints, liver enlargement or signs of intra-abdominal hemorrhage, the possibility of a liver tumor should be included in the differential diagnosis.

Citation http://www.epgonline.org/mobile/drug-details.cfm/id/DR002713/page/atoz/letter/M/language/LG0001/startrow_drug/81/drugName/MICROGYNON-30-ED

Adverse Drug Reactions and side effects

In rare cases, headaches, stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, changes in body weight, changes in libido, depressive moods can occur.
In predisposed women, use of Microgynon 30 ED can sometimes cause chloasma, which is exacerbated by sun exposure. These women should avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight.
Individual cases of poor tolerance of contact lenses have been reported with the use of oral contraceptives. Contact lens wearers who develop abnormal lens tolerance should be evaluated by an ophthalmologist.
menstrual changes:

1. Reduction of menstrual flow: This is not unusual and is to be expected in some patients. Indeed, it may be beneficial where heavy periods were previously experienced.

2. Missed menstruation: Occasionally, withdrawal bleeding may not occur. If the pills were taken correctly, pregnancy is very unlikely. If withdrawal bleeding does not occur at the end of a second pack, the possibility of pregnancy should be ruled out before continuing with the next packet.

Intermenstrual bleeding, 'spot' or heavier 'breakthrough bleeding' sometimes occur during tablet-taking, especially in the first few cycles, and normally cease spontaneously. Microgynon 30 ED should therefore be maintained even if irregular bleeding occurs. If irregular bleeding is persistent, appropriate diagnostic measures to exclude an organic cause are indicated and may include curettage. This also applies in case of stains, which occurs at irregular intervals in several consecutive cycles or which occurs for the first time after long use of Microgynon 30 ED.

Side effect on blood chemistry: The use of oral contraceptives may influence the results of some laboratory tests, including biochemical parameters of thyroid, adrenal, renal and liver function, plasma levels of carrier proteins for lipids and lipoprotein fractions / parameters carbohydrate metabolism and parameters of coagulation and fibrinolysis. The laboratory should be informed about oral contraceptive use when laboratory tests are requested.