Femodene

What Is Femodene?

Femodene is a combined hormonal contraceptive pill. It contains two hormones that mimic the natural female reproductive hormones; 30 micrograms of ethinylestradiol and 75 micrograms of gestodene. 

Femodene is used to prevent unwanted pregnancy, and is sometimes also prescribed for problems like heavy, irregular or painful periods. Taking Femodene pills results in lighter and regular menstrual bleeding.

The combined contraceptive pill is one of the most relied upon forms of reversible contraception, providing women with more than 99% protection against unwanted pregnancy when used correctly.

Don't have time to pick up your prescription from the pharmacy? Our online private prescription service can help you get the medicine you need with little fuss. Simply complete our questionnaire and our online doctor will assess your suitability.

All products available on our website have been approved by the MHRA and are dispatched from a GPhC registered pharmacy based in the UK.

How does Femodene work?

Femodene interferes with the natural menstrual cycle by controlling the release of an egg from the ovaries (ovulation) and its implantation in the womb (uterus).

The contraceptive pill tricks the body into thinking that ovulation has already happened, thus halting the ripening and release of an egg every month, as per the menstrual cycle. Female sex hormones are also responsible for preparing the lining of the uterus for implantation of the egg for a successful pregnancy.

When sperm do not fertilise the egg, the uterus lining sheds as menstrual bleeding, known as a period. Femodene alters the lining of the womb, known as the endometrium, and makes it difficult for a fertilised egg to implant itself and develop. The hormonal pill also thickens the mucus in the cervix and makes it difficult for sperm to cross the cervix and reach the egg in the womb.

These mechanisms work in tandem to effectively reduce your risk of pregnancy.

How do I take Femodene?

Femodene comes in a 21 pill strip calendar pack marked with the days of the week

Take pills for 21 days

Take one Femodene pill per day regularly for 21 days at the same time. Start by taking the pill on the correct day of the week, following the directions of the arrows printed on the blister pack, and finish the 21 tablets. Swallow the pill whole with water. Do not crush or chew the tablet.

Pill free week

After 21 days of taking pills, then have seven pill-free days. You will have your menstrual bleeding in these seven days. You will remain protected against pregnancy during the pill-free week.

Start the new pack

If you are taking Femodene for the first time, it’s advisable to start taking pills on the first day of your period and mark the name of the weekday on the strip. If you are taking Femodene regularly, you will begin the new pack on the same day of the week every time.

Femodene side effects and cautions

Before starting any medication, it's important to familiarise yourself with the safety information found within the accompanying leaflet. This leaflet, known as the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL), contains important information regarding how to take, store and discard the medication, as well as a complete list of side effects, preliminary cautions and a list of ingredients.

You should retain this leaflet should you need to refer back to it at a later date.

Side effects

All medicines carry the risk of side effects, though not everybody experiences them. It is important to understand the risks associated with your medication before you begin treatment.

Before you take Femodene, you must read the enclosed patient information leaflet.

You can also view the patient information leaflet for Femodene online.

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

• Depressive moods or mood swings
• Feeling sick
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Sore or painful breasts
• Weight gain

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

• Being sick and stomach aches
• Breast enlargement
• Fluid retention
• Low libido
• Migraine
• Skin rash, which may be itchy

This is not an exhaustive list of side effects. For more information regarding the safety of Femodene, including a complete list of side effects, please read the patient information leaflet enclosed with your medicine.

If you experience any side effects, regardless of whether they are listed above or in the leaflet supplied with Femodene, report them to your doctor.

Risk of blood clots

The combined contraceptive pill can increase your risk of breast cancer and/or blood clots. If you have a family history of breast cancer or blood clots, it's important to speak to your doctor before taking combined contraceptive pills.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Do not take Femodene if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you become pregnant while taking Femodene, cease taking the medicine immediately and seek advice from your doctor.

Allergies

Do not take Femodene if you are allergic to gestodene, ethinylestradiol or any of the other ingredients listed in the patient information leaflet.

If you are intolerant to sugar, consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking Femodene, as it contains Lactose.

Other safety information

Always read the patient information leaflet before you start taking Femodene.

Please inform our online doctor of all medications you are currently taking, including those prescribed by your doctor or bought over-the-counter from a pharmacy, as well as health and herbal supplements such as St John's Wort.

Do not take Femodene past the expiry date printed on the packaging. The date refers to the last day of that month.

Never throw away medicine via household or water waste. Take any unwanted or expired medication to your local pharmacy and ask them to dispose of it safely on your behalf.

Always store medicine out of the sight and reach from children and pets.

Never share your medicine with anybody else, even if they are experiencing the same symptoms as you.

Frequently asked questions

What if I miss a pill of Femodene?

If you are less than 12 hours late in taking the pill, take the missed tablet as soon as you remember and continue taking Femodene at your usual time. During this 12 hour window, your contraception is not reduced.

If you are late for more than 12 hours or have missed more than one tablet, take the missed pill whenever you remember, even if it means taking two tablets on the same day. Forget about any earlier pills you may have forgotten and take the next pill at your regular time. Missing two pills or one pill for more than 24 hours can reduce the effectiveness of the contraceptive pill.

If you miss the tablet in the last week of your 21-day strip, start a new pack the very next day without taking a seven-day break to avoid conception.

If you forget to take the pill during your first week, you will need to adopt an additional contraception method for the next 7 days.

What should I do if I accidentally take more Fomodene than I should?

Accidentally taking more Femodene than you should is unlikely to cause any serious harm. If you notice any symptoms arise, or are at all concerned about accidentally taking more Femodene than you should, inform your doctor or ask a pharmacist for advice.

Does Femodene affect my ability to drive or operate machines?

It is unlikely that Femodene will affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.

If you experience any side effects which may impair your cognitive ability, refrain from driving or operating machinery until you feel that it is safe for you to do so.

Can I Drink Alcohol while taking Femodene?

There are no special instructions about taking food or drinks with Femodene.

While alcohol is unlikely to interfere with the effectiveness of the pill, drinking alcohol may increase your risk of suffering from side effects such as stomach aches, headaches and nausea.

Can Femodene improve my acne?

In some women, acne symptoms have improved while taking combined hormonal contraceptives. If you have any questions or concerns about how your body might respond to Femodene, speak to your doctor or a pharmacist.

Table of contents

What Is Femodene?

How does Femodene work?

How do I take Femodene?

Femodene side effects and cautions

Frequently asked questions

Additional resources

What's the difference between the combined contraceptive pill and the mini pill?