Katya
Combined contraceptives such as Katya represent a class of medications commonly called "the pill" that prevent pregnancy. The combined contraceptive pill contains two naturally-occurring female hormones, oestrogen and progesterone. Katya - manufactured by Stragen UK, contains ethinylestradiol and gestodene. These hormones are synthetic forms of oestrogen and progesterone.
How Does Katya Work?
Female sex hormones fluctuate during the month. When hormones rise, the ovaries are stimulated to release an egg (ovulation), and the lining of the womb thickens in anticipation of pregnancy. If the egg is not fertilised by a sperm, hormonal levels decrease, and the thickening in the womb is released in menstruation.
The hormones in Katya fool the body into believing that ovulation has already occurred. Katya prevents pregnancy by suppressing the release of an egg. It also makes the natural secretions of the vagina thicker, so sperm cannot easily cross the barrier into the womb and fertilise an egg. Katya also makes the womb lining (endometrium) thinner, so that even if an egg becomes fertilised, it's unlikely to attach itself in the womb.
Besides preventing pregnancy, Katya is used to treat heavy, irregular and painful periods. The decreased lining in the womb produces lighter, more regular, less painful menstruation.
Katya Dosage
Every Katya tablet contains 30 micrograms of ethinylestradiol and 75 micrograms of gestodene.
How Often is Katya Taken?
Start taking Katya on the first day of your period. You'll be protected from pregnancy right away. No other forms of contraception are necessary.
Take one tablet of Katya every day for 21 days and then, for seven days, stop taking it. During the seven days you are not taking Katya, hormonal levels in the blood will decrease and your period will occur.
After seven days without a tablet, resume your daily dose for 21 days, even if you're still menstruating, then stop again for seven days. Pregnancy will be prevented as long as you remain on this cycle, even during the week you're not taking the pill.
How Effective is Katya?
It's important to take Katya exactly as directed for full pregnancy prevention. Taken as prescribed, the combined contraceptive pill is 99% effective.
Katya Side Effects
Common side effects of Katya include headache, nervousness, nausea, lighter or stopped periods, weight gain, acne, fluid retention, breast tenderness and reduced sex drive.
What Other Medications Affect Katya?
These medicines break down the concentration of oral contraceptives in the body, making them ineffective for pregnancy prevention:
- Nevirapine
- Oxcarbazepine
- Aprepitant
- Barbiturates
- Phenobarbital
- Eslicarbazepine
- Primidone
- Rifampicin
- Modafinil
- Bosentan
- St. John's Wort
- Topiramate
- Carbamazepine
- Phenytoin
- Rifabutin
- Ritonavir
Who Should Not Take Katya?
Anyone who is or may be pregnant should not take Katya. The combined contraceptive pill should also be avoided by women who are:
- Breastfeeding
- Smoke more than 40 cigarettes per day
- Are over 50 years of age
- Severely diabetic
Women with a history of migraines, blood disorders, strokes, hereditary conditions, heart conditions, moderate to high blood pressure, cancer, liver disease, gallstones, abnormal vaginal bleeding or any other severe condition should see a doctor before taking Katya or any other oral contraceptive.
