Femodene
Femodene is the trade name of an oral contraceptive medication informally known as “the pill". It is composed of synthetic versions of two naturally occurring female hormones: oestrogen and progesterone. The synthetic version of oestrogen used in Femodene is ethinylestradiol, and the synthetic version of progesterone used is gestodene.
Femodene is what is known as a combined contraceptive pill, and it is available in two choices: original and Femodene ED. The combination of ethinylestradiol and gestodene can prevent pregnancy when the tablets are ingested orally in the proper dose at the proper times. This is possible due to several factors created in the body by the introduction of the additional hormones.
How Does Femodene Work?
Femodene, created by Bayer - works because the combination of ethinylestradiol and gestodene override a woman’s natural menstrual cycle. In a normal cycle, the levels of sex hormones rise and fall, triggering the release of mature eggs from the ovaries and causing the womb to prepare for pregnancy. The hormones cause the body to believe that ovulation has already taken place during the cycle. This means that when the eggs are released, they are immature and cannot be fertilised. Additionally, the hormones cause a thick ring of mucus to form near the cervix, making it more difficult for sperm to pass through. Finally, the lining of the uterus is not prepared for a fertilised egg, so it is less likely that an egg will become implanted.
Femodene Dosage
Each of the oral contraceptive hormone pills contains 0.030 mg ethinylestradiol and 0.075 mg gestodene. A 28-day supply of Femodene includes 21 hormone tablets, and Femodene ED includes 21 hormone tablets and seven non-hormone tablets.
How Often is Femodene Taken?
Original Femodene is taken once daily for the first 21 days of the menstrual cycle. Hormones are not required during the final seven days. Femodene ED (every day), includes seven non-hormonal tablets that have the primary purpose of establishing a standard, daily routine for taking the pill. During the week when the hormone pills are not taken, what is known as a withdrawal bleed occurs, which is similar to the bleeding from a normal period.
How Effective is Femodene?
The Femodene combined contraceptive pill is one of the most effective forms of birth control available. According to the Pearl Index, the failure range of the pill is only 0.1 to 3 failures per 100 women per year.
Femodene Side Effects
Femodene is known to cause side effects in some women. These side effects may include one or more of the following:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Changes in weight
- Fluid retention
- Rash
- Decreased libido
- Hypertension
- Vaginal thrush
What Other Medications Affect Femodene?
Some medicines can cause hormones to be eliminated by the body more quickly, making Femodene less effective. These medications include aprepitant, bosentan, carbamazepine, modafinil, nevirapine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, rifampicin, rifabutin, ritonavir and topiramate.
Who Should Not Take Femodene?
Femodene is contraindicated in many individuals. Anyone with the following conditions should consult a doctor before taking Femodene:
- History of stroke
- Obesity
- Smokers
- Hypertension
- Anaemia
- History of Depression
- History of migraine headaches
- Bowel disease
- Heart failure
- Breast cancer
