Femodene

Femodene is a combined contraceptive pill that is taken every day for 21 days to prevent pregnancy. Femodene ED, a 28-day tablet, is also available, but we only offer the 21-day version. Each pill contains 75mcg of gestodene (progesterone) and 30mcg of ethinylestradiol (oestrogen).

Alongside being an effective contraception method, combined pills, like Femodene, can also relieve heavy, painful periods, improve acne, and regulate PMS symptoms. However, we only prescribe Femodene to prevent pregnancy rather than to treat or manage any other conditions.

Femodene prevents pregnancy in 3 ways. It:

1. Stops the release of an egg from the ovaries every month (ovulation).
2. Thickens the cervical mucus to stop sperm from entering the womb.
3. Thins the lining of the womb where an egg would usually attach itself, making it difficult for a fertilised egg to implant.

How long does it take until Femodene is effective?

If you start taking Femodene on days 1 to 5 of your period, it is effective straight away to prevent pregnancy. However, if you start it after day 5, you’ll need to use extra contraception, like condoms, for 7 days until Femodene is fully effective.

After this, Femodene will remain effective as long as you continue taking it properly.

How effective is the Femodene pill?

When taken perfectly, Femodene is more than 99% effective at stopping you from getting pregnant. However, when typical use, such as missing the pill, or sickness or diarrhoea, is considered, the effectiveness drops to 91%.

Some evidence suggests that the combined pill can improve the appearance of acne. 62% of people given a combined pill containing ethinylestradiol and gestodene (the same ingredients as Femodene) experienced an improvement in acne. The active ingredients in the Femodene pill can help lower the production of oil (sebum) and reduce androgen levels in the body, which can contribute to acne outbreaks.

At Asda, we only provide the pill as a method of contraception and not to help with acne. Instead, we can offer several acne treatments through our dedicated service.

Each Femodene pill should be swallowed whole with water, with or without food. Femodene tablets come in strips of 21 pills, marked with a day of the week. When taking Femodene pills, you’ll usually take it by:

1. Starting with the pill marked with the corresponding day of the week.
2. Take the pill at the same time every day.
3. Follow the direction of the arrows on the strip and take 1 pill each day, until you have finished all 21 pills.
4. Then you will have 7 days when you will take no pills. During this break, you should have a withdrawal bleed, similar to periods.
5. Start taking your next strip after the 7 pill-free days, even if you are still bleeding.

If you take Femodene correctly, you will always start the new strip on the same day each week. You can also take Femodene with fewer breaks, called tricycling (taking a break after every 3 strips for 4 days) or continuously, with no breaks at all.

When should I take Femodene?

Femodene can be taken at any time, but it should be taken at the same time each day for maximum effectiveness.

How much Femodene should I take?

You should take 1 Femodene pill per day for 21 days, followed by a 7-day pill-free break. Alternatively, you may take 1 pill every day, with no or fewer breaks if you choose the tricycling or continuous method of pill taking.

When to take Femodene for the first time

If you are taking Femodene for the first time, it’s best to start on days 1 to 5 of your period. This will ensure you are immediately protected against pregnancy.

You can start Femodene after day 5 of your period, but you will also need to use an extra method of contraception, like condoms, for 7 days.

What to do if you forget to take Femodene

If you forget to take Femodene and it is less than 12 hours late, take the forgotten pill straight away. Then, continue taking your pills at the usual time, even if that means taking 2 pills in 1 day. You should still be protected against pregnancy.

If you are more than 12 hours late taking a pill, or you have missed more than 1 pill, your contraceptive protection may be reduced. You should:

1. Take the most recently missed pill as soon as you remember, even if it means taking 2 pills at once, but leave any earlier missed pills in the pack.
2. Continue taking a pill every day for the next 7 days at your usual time.
3. If you come to the end of a strip during these 7 days, start the next strip without taking the usual 7-day break – you probably will not have a bleed until the end of the second strip of pills.
4. Use extra protections, like condoms, for 7 days.
5. Contact your doctor or nurse if you missed 1 or more pills from the first week of your strip, and you had unprotected sex during that week, as there is a chance you could get pregnant.

If you missed any pills and do not have a withdrawal bleed during the pill-free break, there is a chance you could be pregnant. Contact your doctor or family planning clinic, or do a pregnancy test at home.

Like all medications, Femodene can cause side effects, but not everyone will get them.

Common side effects include:

• feeling sick (nausea)
• stomach ache
• weight gain
• headaches
• depressive moods or mood swings
• sore or painful breasts

Uncommon side effects include:

• being sick (vomiting)
• diarrhoea
• fluid retention
• migraine
• loss of interest in sex
• breast enlargement
• skin rash, which may be itchy

Rare side effects include:

• poor tolerance of contact lenses
• weight loss
• increased interest in sex
• vaginal or breast discharge
• hypersensitivity
• red or ring-like skin rashes
• blood clots

You can find a complete list of side effects in the patient information leaflet that is supplied with your medication.

How long do Femodene side effects last?

Most Femodene side effects will get better or go away on their own within 3 months of starting the pill as your body gets used to the medication. If you experience side effects that last longer than this or become difficult to manage, you should speak to your doctor for more advice.

What to do if you get Femodene side effects

Most Femodene side effects can be easily managed at home by:

• taking painkillers for symptoms such as headaches and sore breasts
• drinking plenty of water to prevent dehydration if you are sick, and to relieve headaches
• getting plenty of rest until your symptoms have passed and you are feeling better
• exercising or increasing movement, which can help manage pain and keep your weight within a healthy range
• avoiding spicy foods, instead, choose plain, bland, and easy-to-digest foods if you are feeling or being sick

If you get any of the following serious side effects, you must contact a doctor straight away:

• blood clot – swelling in one leg or foot, sudden breathlessness, coughing up blood, chest pain, sudden vision loss, or weakness down one side of the body
• angioedema – swollen hands, face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or a red bumpy rash and itching
• breast cancer – dimpling of the skin, nipple changes, or any lumps in the breast that you can see or feel
• cervical cancer – vaginal discharge that may smell or contain blood, unusual vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, or painful sex
• severe liver issues – severe pain in your upper abdomen, yellowing of your skin or eyes, liver inflammation, or whole body itching

If you experience any life-threatening side effects, such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, weakness down one side of the body, stop taking Femodene and call 999.

Femodene may not be suitable for everyone.

Do not take Femodene if you:

• are allergic to any of its ingredients
• have ever had a blood clot in your legs, lungs, or other organs
• have a blood clotting disorder
• need an operation or are going to be off your feet for a long time
• have ever had a heart attack or stroke
• have or have ever had angina pectoris or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
• have a condition that increases the chance of a blood clot in your arteries (like severe diabetes with blood vessel damage, very high blood pressure, high blood fat levels, or hyperhomocysteinaemia)
• have ever had a migraine with aura
• have or have ever had breast cancer
• have ever had severe liver disease or liver tumours

Before taking Femodene, tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, including:

• angioedema
• Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
• lupus
• haemolytic uraemic syndrome
• sickle cell anaemia
• pancreatitis
• high levels of fat in the blood
• inflammation in the veins
• varicose veins
• diabetes
• heart problems, including high blood pressure
• porphyria
• obesity
• any illness that worsened during pregnancy or with previous use of the pill

There is a small increased chance of getting a blood clot when taking the combined pill, including Femodene. However, it is important to tell your doctor before taking Femodene if you or any family member has ever had a blood clot.

Femodene and other medications

Before taking Femodene, let your doctor know if you are taking or plan to take any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications.

Some medications can stop Femodene from working properly, such as:

• epilepsy medications
• HIV and hepatitis C medications
• griseofulvin
• some antibiotics
• certain sedatives
• St John’s wort

Femodene is only available with a prescription from a doctor, either from private, trusted online doctor services or from the NHS.

Can I buy Femodene online?

Yes, you can buy Femodene online from Asda Online Doctor by ZAVA by:

1. Completing a short online health assessment for one of our doctors to review.
2. Placing your order request.
3. If approved, your order will be dispatched and sent to your home address in discreet packaging, or you can choose to collect it from your local Asda Pharmacy 4 hours after a doctor’s approval.
4. If your order isn’t approved, one of our doctors will contact you via your account with alternative treatment options.

Can I buy Femodene over the counter?

No, Femodene is a prescription-only medication, which means you must have a doctor’s approval before obtaining it.

Can I get Femodene on the NHS?

Yes, Femodene is available on the NHS. You will need to make an appointment with your doctor or visit a sexual health clinic to find out if it is available and suitable for you to take.

Femodene may not be suitable for everyone, but there is a range of contraception options available. Millinette is a combined pill that contains the same active ingredients as Femodene, but Millinette contains a lower 20mcg dose of oestrogen.

So, if you are struggling with the effects of oestrogen in Femodene, Millinette may be a more suitable option.

There are several alternative combined contraceptive pills available that contain different types of synthetic progesterone. They include:

• Microgynon 30 – 150mcg levonorgestrel and 30mcg ethinylestradiol
• Rigevidon – 150mcg levonorgestrel and 30mcg ethinylestradiol
• Yasmin – 3mg drospirenone and 0.030mg ethinylestradiol
• Gedarel – available in a standard oestrogen dose of 30mcg or a low 20mcg dose and 150mcg desogestrel
• Cilique – 250mcg norgestimate and 35mcg ethinylestradiol

Alternatively, the progesterone-only or mini pill may be suitable for you, especially if you cannot or choose not to take oestrogen. Popular mini pills include:

• Cerelle
• Cerazette
• Noriday
• Norgeston

➤ Read our guide to find out more about choosing the right contraceptive pill for you.