Feanolla

What is Feanolla

Feanolla is a form of oral hormonal contraceptive pill colloquially known as the mini pill or abbreviated as POP (progestogen only pill).

Unlike combined oral contraceptive pills, which contain two pills, Feanolla contains only one synthetic hormone - a progestogen called desogestrel. This hormone mimics the female sex hormone progesterone.

How does Feanolla work?

Feanolla contains a progestogen called desogestrel, which mimics the natural female sex hormone pregesterone.

Feanolla works by thickening the mucus which lines the cervix, making it difficult for sperm to traverse. Unlike other mini pills, Feanolla can also prevent ovulation (the ripening and release of an egg from the ovaries).

When taken correctly, the Feanolla mini pill is 99% effective at preventing unwanted pregnancies, though typical use has shown the pill to be 92% effective.

Side effects and cautions

All medications carry the risk of side effects, though not everybody experiences them. Understand the risks associated with the medication you are taking, and familiarising yourself with the literature enclosed with your medicine, is crucial to your treatment.

Common side effects:

• Acne
• Breast pain
• Changes in mood
• Decreased sex drive (libido)
• Depressed mood
• Headache
• Irregular or no periods
• Nausea
• Weight increase

Uncommon side effects:

• Difficulties in wearing contact lenses
• Hair loss
• Ovarian cysts
• Painful periods
• Tiredness
• Vaginal infection
• Vomiting

This is not an exhaustive list of side effects. For more information regarding the safety of Feanolla, please consult the patient information leaflet for Feanolla.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Do not take Feanolla during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you might be pregnant while using Feanolla, speak to your doctor immediately.

Feanolla is safe to take while breastfeeding and does not affect the production of breast milk.

Although small amounts of desogestrel are passed on from mother to baby through breastfeeding, studies found no effect on the development or growth of children who were breastfed by mothers taking desogestrel.

Staying safe while taking Feanolla

Always take Feanolla as prescribed.

While Feanolla protects against unwanted pregnancy, it does not protect against STIs such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea or HIV. You should use barrier contraceptives (such as condoms) to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

Never take medicine past the expiry date marked on the packaging.

Do not throw away medicine via household water waste. You should take any unwanted or expired medicine you no longer need to your local pharmacy, who will be able to safely dispose of it on your behalf.

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

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

How do I take Feanolla?

Feanolla is taken once daily. Swallow one tablet whole with a glass of water. The tablet should be taken at the same each day.

It's important to follow the arrows on the blister pack.

When should I start taking Feanolla?

While you can start taking Feanolla at any point during your menstrual cycle, you should take the first tablet on the first day of your menstrual cycle to be protected right away.

If you start taking Feanolla beyond the first 5 days of your menstrual cycle, you should use additional forms of contraception (such as condoms) for 2 days to stay protected.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do if I forget to take Feanolla?

If you forget to take Feanolla when you should, take it as soon as you remember and take the next dose at the usual time. This may result in you taking 2 Feanolla tablets in one day, though this is not harmful.

If you take your pill less than 12 hours late, you will still be protected and should not need to use additional contraceptive methods.

If you take your pill more than 12 hours late, you will not be protected and should use additional contraception for the next two days. If you engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse during this time, you may need to take the morning after pill to avoid the risk of pregnancy.

If you forget to take one or more pills during the first week of taking Feanolla and had unprotected sex during the first week, you may become pregnant.

If you are unsure about what you should do in the event that you forget to take Feanolla, speak to your doctor or ask a pharmacist for advice.

What should I do if I take too much Feanolla?

Accidentally taking more Feanolla is unlikely to cause any serious harm, though it may increase your risk of side effects such as nausea and vomiting.

What should I do if I vomit?

If you vomit within 4 hours of taking Feanolla, your body may not have absorbed the active ingredient effectively. Similarly, if you experience severe diarrhoea, your body may not have fully absorbed the desogestral.

In these cases, you should follow the advice laid out in the patient information leaflet, which comes enclosed with your medicine.

Will Feanolla affect my ability to drive or operate machinery?

Feanolla should not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.

Does Feanolla stop periods?

Feanolla may affect your periods. Your periods may become lighter, more frequent, irregular or stop completely.

If you are worried about any changes to your period, speak to your doctor for advice.

How long does it take for Feanolla to start working?

If you take Feanolla within the first 5 days of your menstrual cycle, you will be protected right away.

If you take Feanolla at any other point in your menstrual cycle, you will not be protected and will need to use an additional form of contraception (such as condoms) for 2 days while taking the mini pill.

If your menstrual cycle is short, you should use additional contraception for 2 days while taking the mini pill.

Buy Feanolla Online

Prescription Doctor's online pharmacy facilitates buying Feanolla online, following a short medical questionnaire to determine your suitability.

Our online doctors are available to review your case. If approved, our UK based pharmacy will dispense and dispatch your treatment in nondescript packaging to ensure the strictest confidence.

Table of contents

What is Feanolla?

How does Feanolla work?

Side effects and cautions

How do I take Feanolla?

Frequently asked questions

Buy Feanolla online

Additional resources

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