Femodene is an oral contraceptive pill categorized as a combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC) used to prevent pregnancy. The Femodene pill is also commonly known as ‘the pill’. The two active Femodene ingredients are, ethinylestradiol – a synthetic form of estrogen hormone, and gestodene – a ‘third generation’ synthetic form of progesterone hormone. This is a highly effective form of contraception and is 99% effective when taken correctly.

Even though Femodene is primarily a contraceptive pill, it is also prescribed to women who experience heavy, painful, or irregular bleeding during periods.

Femodene is a combined oral contraceptive that prevents unwanted pregnancy and gives women more freedom in their daily and sexual lives. The benefits of Femodene are – 

• Femodene changes the level of female hormones in the body and makes the female reproductive system believe that ovulation has occurred. Thus the ovaries will not release an egg that may be fertilized by a sperm.

• Femodene thickens the mucus at the neck of the uterus, which makes it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus.

• This medicine makes the lining of the uterus non-conducive to the attachment of a fertilized egg.

• Femodene also offers relief to women who experience heavy menstrual bleeding and pain during periods.

When taken correctly, as prescribed by your doctor – Femodene is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. If you start taking Femodene within the first five days of your period you will immediately be protected from pregnancy. If you start taking Femodene any time later in your menstrual cycle, it is advisable to use additional contraception such as condoms for at least 7 days until the medicine takes effect.

Ailments such as vomiting or diarrhea may prevent Femodene from being absorbed into your body and reduce its effectiveness. If you vomit or experience a bout of diarrhea within 3 to 4 hours of taking Femodene, take another pill, and continue to take Femodene as usual thereafter. As a precaution, use condoms while you are ill and if you continue to feel unwell for more than 24 hours – follow the same steps as a missed pill.

Femodene contains the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. These hormones protect you from pregnancy by tricking the ovaries into believing that ovulation has already occurred. This prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg and thickens the mucus membrane around the cervix to prevent the sperm from entering the uterus. This medication also makes the lining of the womb non-conducive to a fertilized egg, so that a fertilized egg cannot be attached to it.

If you start taking the Femodene pill within the first five days of your period you will be immediately protected from pregnancy.

If you start taking Femodene any time later in your menstrual cycle, (provided that you are sure you are not pregnant) it is advisable to use additional contraception such as condoms for at least 7 days as it may take longer for the medicine to take effect.

You can stop taking the Femodene combined pill at any time you wish to stop, no need to finish the pack. Usually, your body normalizes within a couple of weeks and you will start to ovulate again. Everyone’s body is different and it may take up to 3 months for your menstrual cycle to get back to its natural rhythm.

You can buy Femodene tablets online at MedsNow. This is a prescription medicine, therefore you are required to have an online consultation with our doctor or independent pharmacist to get the prescription. The medicine will be supplied conveniently to your doorstep.

Femodene is a prescription medicine and should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Here is the commonly recommended method for taking Femodene – 

• The Femodene contraceptive pills come in a pack of 21 tablets, and you should take one tablet per day every day for 21 days. The pills should be taken orally by swallowing them with some water.

• Take your pills at the same time every day to make it easy for you to remember to take your pill every day.

• After taking all 21 tablets in a pack, you have to take a seven-day break from pill taking. During this time, you will experience withdrawal bleeding similar to your period. 

• You are protected from pregnancy even during this seven-day break if you have taken all the pills correctly.

• Exactly seven days from taking the last tablet in your previous pack of Femodene, you should start taking pills from a new pack. Do this even if you are still bleeding.

• If you are a new user of combined contraceptive pills, it is recommended that you should take the first pill within the first five days of your period so you will be immediately be protected from pregnancy.

• If you start taking Femodene any time later in your menstrual cycle, (provided that you are sure you are not pregnant) it is advisable to use additional contraception such as condoms for at least 7 days as it may take longer for the medicine to take effect.

The Femodene contraceptive pills come in a pack of 21 tablets, and you should take one tablet per day every day for 21 days. After taking all 21 tablets in a pack, you have to take a seven-day break from pill taking. Therefore, each pack of Femodene is equal to a 4-week supply of the medication.

Exactly seven days from taking the last tablet in your previous pack of Femodene, you should start taking pills from a new pack.

Femodene is oral contraception designed for women over the age of puberty and lower than the age of menopause – who want to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. However, this is a prescription medicine that should only be taken after a consultation with your doctor. You should share all the important details of your medical history with the doctor when consulting for the best choice of contraception. 

Having the following medical conditions may make Femodene an unsuitable choice of contraception for you – 

• If you are allergic to the synthetic hormones Estradiol Valerate, Dienogest, or any other ingredient in Femodene

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding

• If you have had angina, a heart attack, or a stroke

• If you have a family history of blood clots

• If you have a disease that increases the risk of blood clots

• If you have or have had breast cancer or a cancerous ailment in any of your reproductive organs

• If you have moderate to severe high blood pressure

• If you have chronic liver disease

• If you have unexplained vaginal bleeding

• If you have migraines

• If you smoke more than 40 cigarettes per day

• If you have an ailment, injury, or surgery that keeps you off your feet for a long time.

• If you have diabetes (especially with complications affecting the eyes, kidneys, or nerves)

• If you are above 50 years of age

• If you are lactose intolerant

• If you are undergoing treatments and taking medication for – 

• Varicose veins

• Epilepsy

• Tuberculosis

• HIV / Hepatitis C

• Fungal Infections

There are some side effects associated with the combined pill Femodene. Occurrences of side effects as a result of Femodene is rare, and should not be considered as a deterrent from taking the pill. The common side effects of Femodene are – 

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Stomachache

• Tenderness of breasts / Pain in breasts

• Bleeding or spotting between periods in the first few months

• Stopping of periods for a couple of months

• Depression and mood swings

• Weight gain due to fluid retention

• Reduced sex drive

• High blood pressure

• Increased risk of blood clots in the arteries

Femodene is a prescription medicine and should only be taken as prescribed and instructed by your doctor. Also, women should follow some precautions when taking Femodene – 

• Take the pills exactly as instructed by your doctor

• Do not miss any pills and take them regularly

• Always share all the details of your medical history with your doctor when consulting to find the best contraceptive.

Some medicines interact with Femodene to break down the hormones of the contraceptive pill by the liver, making it less effective at preventing pregnancy. They are – 

• Aprepitant

• Bosentan

• Barbiturates

• Carbamazepine

• Cobicistat

• Crizotinib

• Dabrafenib

• Eslicarbazepine

• Modafinil

• Nevirapine

• Oxcarbazepine

• Perampanel (12mg)

• Phenobarbital

• Phenytoin

• Primidone

• Rifampicin

• Rifabutin

• Ritonavir

• Rufinamide

• Telaprevir

• The Herbal Remedy St John's Wort (Hypericum Perforatum)

• Topiramate

• Vemurafenib

A missed pill is a dosage that is late by 24 hours or more. If you have forgotten to take your pill, follow the instructions below – 

One Pill Missed

If you have forgotten to take one pill or have started a new pack one day late, take the missed pill as soon as you remember and then take the next pill at the regular time. This might mean taking two pills in one day – which is completely okay. You will be protected against pregnancy and there will be no need for additional contraception.

Two or More Pills Missed

If you have forgotten to take two or more pills or have started a new pack two or more days late, you will not be protected against pregnancy. Take the last missed pill as soon as you remember and then take the next pill at the regular time. Leave out the other missed pills and continue taking pills every day as normal. Make sure to use additional contraception such as condoms for at least seven days thereafter.

If you or anyone else has taken an overdose of Femodene, you should immediately seek medical attention. You should do this even if you are not experiencing any discomfort or poisoning symptoms.

1. Does Femodene make you gain weight?

There is no evidence that Femodene can make you gain weight. However, you may experience fluid retention as a side effect of taking Femodene.

2. Is Femodene a good pill?

Femodene is an oral contraceptive pill that is categorized as a combined hormonal contraceptive or CHC. When taken correctly, Femodene is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. 

3. Is it better to take Femodene in the morning, noon or evening?

It does not matter what time of the day you take the Femodene pill as long as you take it at the same time every day. This helps in maintaining the right level of hormones in your body to effectively protect you against pregnancy.

4. Can I switch to Femodene from another contraceptive pill?

Yes, you can switch to Femodene from other contraceptive pills. 

• If you are switching to Femodene from another 21-day combined hormonal contraceptive pill, take your first Femodene pill the next day after you take the last pill from your previous strip. This will protect you from pregnancy from day one.

• If you are switching to Femodene from a 28-day combined hormonal contraceptive pill, take your first Femodene pill the day after you take the last active pill from your previous pack. Meaning you should not take the placebo or inactive pills in your previous pack. This will protect you from pregnancy from day one.

• If you are switching to Femodene from a progesterone-only pill (POP), also known as the ‘mini-pill’, you can start taking Femodene on any day of the month. Just take your first Femodene pill the day after you take the last progesterone-only pill. This will protect you from pregnancy from day one.

• If you are switching to Femodene from a progesterone-only pill (POP) containing Levonorgestrel or Progestogens norethisterone, you are not protected from pregnancy in the first seven days of taking Femodene. You will need to use additional contraception such as condoms during this time. 

5. Does Femodene protect you from STIs?

No, contraceptive pills do not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases. Condoms are the only way to protect yourself from STIs.

6. What about if I'm sick after taking a pill?

If you vomit within 3-4 hours of taking the Femodene pill, then it may have left your body without giving you the amount of hormones you need for birth control. Take another Femodene pill from a spare strip as soon as you feel better, and then take your pills at the regular time the next day.

If you are sick for 24 hours or more, follow the same steps as you would for a missed pill.

7. Will my periods change while I'm on Femodene 30 mdg?

Yes, the duration and nature of your periods may change when you are on Femodene. Some women find that their periods are lighter, less painful, and more regular. However, everyone can have a different experience. 

8. Can taking Femodene cause blood clots?

Taking a combined hormonal contraceptive pill may increase your susceptibility to blood clots. However, this risk is very small. Seek urgent medical attention, if you experience any of the following – 

• Painful swelling in one leg (deep vein thrombosis)

• Sudden breathlessness, dizziness, coughing up blood, or chest pain (pulmonary embolism)

• Loss or blurring of vision (retinal vein thrombosis)

9. Can Femodene be used as a morning-after pill?

No, Femodene may not be used as a morning-after pill. If you need emergency contraception consult your doctor or pharmacist. You could also take an online consultation with a doctor on MedsNow and order your medicines online.

10. How does Femodene affect my mood?

All contraceptive pills including Femodene can affect your mood. Some women feel anxiety, depression, or nervousness as a side effect of Femodene. Discuss your mental health history with your doctor when deciding on a contraceptive pill.

11. Can I delay my monthly period using Femodene?

Taking two packs of Femodene back-to-back by skipping your seven-day break will delay your period by a month. Take your seven-day break after your second pack to get your period.

12. Can I take Femodene when I am breastfeeding?

Talk to your doctor to understand the best method of contraception for you when you are breastfeeding. It is not advisable to take Femodene when breastfeeding.

13. How soon can I take Femodene after having a baby?

Usually, you should wait for 21 days after having a baby to start taking Femodene (if you are not breastfeeding). Talk to your doctor to understand the best method of contraception for you when you are breastfeeding.

14. Will it affect my fertility in the long term?

Femodene is a reversible form of contraception. Your body can easily return to the natural ovulation cycle in a few weeks after you stop taking Femodene. It does not affect your fertility in any way.