Ovysmen
Ovysmen is a combined contraceptive pill containing the synthetic hormones ethinylestradiol and norethisterone. Women use this medicine as an oral contraceptive, commonly referred to as "the pill," to prevent pregnancy. Ovysmen is developed by Janssen Cilag.
How Does Ovysmen Work?
The hormones in Ovysmen prevent pregnancy by tricking the body into thinking it is already pregnant, thus stopping the ovaries from releasing eggs. The pill also thickens vaginal fluids to prevent sperm from reaching the womb. Ovysmen alters the lining of the womb to prevent the implantation of fertilised eggs.
Ovysmen Dosage
As a monophasic pill, Ovysmen contains the same amount of hormones in each of the 21 pills. The packets contain three strips of pills marked with the days of the week to help the user remember when to take each dose. The pills each contain 500 micrograms of norethisterone and 35 micrograms of ethinylestradiol. These hormones are the synthetic equivalents to progesterone and oestrogen.
How Often is Ovysmen Taken?
Women should take Ovysmen every day for 21 days with a seven-day break in between each pack. When first taking this medicine, it is best to begin on the first day of a period. Women may begin taking Ovysmen on day five of their period, but this option requires the use of extra contraceptives for full protection. For optimal effectiveness, doctors recommend taking the pill at or around the same time every day.
How Effective is Ovysmen?
Ovysmen is extremely effective at preventing pregnancy when taken properly. No contraception is 100 percent effective, and the pill does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Oral contraceptives become less effective with stomach problems, such as vomiting or diarrhoea.
Ovysmen Side Effects
There have been some reported side effects when taking Ovysmen, but these are not common in most women. The pill increases the risks of blood clots, which can lead to thrombosis. Women taking oral contraceptives like Ovysmen are also at an increased risk for stroke or heart attack. It is important to speak to a doctor when experiencing any other side effects while taking this medication.
What Other Medications Affect Ovysmen?
There are certain medicines that prevent Ovysmen from working properly. Such medications include epilepsy drugs, antibiotics, laxatives and certain anti-fungal drugs. Taking barbiturates can also decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Women using the herbal remedy St. John's Wort will need to use additional contraceptives during the treatment.
Who Should Not Take Ovysmen
Women who are already pregnant or think they may be pregnant should not take Ovysmen. Doctors do not recommend the pill for women who are breastfeeding as the hormones could decrease the amount of breast milk. Women with blood circulation problems should not take the pill due to its increased risk of blood clots. Ovysmen is not for women with a history of tumors in the breast, womb or ovaries. Doctors can offer additional advice to women with certain conditions as to whether or not Ovysmen is right for them.
