Marvelon is a combined contraceptive pill which helps prevent unwanted pregnancy. It is composed of desogestrel and ethynylestradiol.

Marvelon is an effective form of birth control. It has the following benefits:

• It is a reliable and reversible method of contraception when used correctly.
• It does not interrupt any sexual activity.
• It makes the period lighter, less painful, and also makes the flow more regular.
• It helps relieve pre-menstrual symptoms.

Marvelon has 99% effectiveness in preventing an unwanted pregnancy. 

Marvelon stops the egg from fully developing during the menstruation period, and as a result, it prevents fertilization from occurring.

Marvelon can be purchased online via MedsNow. However, this is a prescription-only medication since the patch is not suited for each and everyone. Hence, you will need to consult your GP or any prescriber who is not connected with any pharmacy to ensure that this patch is the right medication for you.

If you start using the pill on the first to the fifth day of your period, you will be protected against pregnancy immediately. If you start taking it later during the cycle (making sure that you are not pregnant), you will need to use additional contraception methods like condoms for at least seven days until the Marvelon pill starts working.

There is no ideal way of stopping the pill. You can stop taking it during the course, or complete your 21-day pack and then stop the pill.

Marvelon comes in strips of 21 pills, each pill is marked with the day of the week it has to be taken on. It is best to take Marvelon at the same time each day. Begin by taking the pill marked for the correct day of the week. Follow the directions as mentioned on the strip. Take one pill each day, until you have consumed all the 21 pills for the 21 days. Swallow a pill whole, you can take it with or without water. Do not crush or chew the pill.

After you have consumed the 21 pills, you will have seven days of pill-free days. You may also experience a withdrawal bleed like your normal menstrual period after taking the last of the 21 pills. But you need not wait until the bleeding gets over to start the next pack. Start the new pack immediately after the last day of the pill-free week. 

Consume one Marvelon pill every day for 21 days, followed by a pill-free week. Start the new pack immediately after the last day of the pill-free week.

Marvelon is a prescription-only medicine. It shouldn't be taken if:

• You have ever had a blood clot
• You suffer from angina or any other heart ailment
• You suffer from migraines
• You are diabetic
• You suffer from pancreatitis
• You have suffered from breast cancer 
• You have or have had a liver tumour or other liver problems
• You experience unexplained vaginal bleeding
• You are above 35 years of age and you smoke
• You have a family history of heart attack or stroke

Like any other prescription-only medicine, these are the possible side effects of Marvelon:

• Abdominal pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Headache or migraine
• Weight changes
• Breast enlargement or tenderness
• Water retention
• Vaginal thrush
• Changes in menstrual bleeding
• Depression
• Menstrual spotting or breakthrough bleeding
• Decreased sex drive
• Skin reactions
• Rise in blood pressure
• Irregular brown patches on the skin
• Liver problems
• Gallstone
• Blood clots in the blood vessels

Marvelon is used to prevent pregnancy and hence, it should not be used during pregnancy. If you think you are pregnant when you are taking the pills, stop the medicine immediately and consult your doctor right away.

Also, it is not recommended to take the medicine while breastfeeding for up to six weeks after birth as they may cause a reduction in the production of breast milk.

The following medicines may reduce the effectiveness of the medicine at preventing pregnancy:

• antiepileptic medicines like carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, perampanel, phenobarbital, primidone, phenytoin or topiramate

• medicines for HIV like cobicistat, efavirenz, nevirapine or ritonavir

• antifungal medicine griseofulvin

• modafinil used for narcolepsy

• antibiotics rifabutin or rifampicin for tuberculosis

If you forget to take one pill, take the missed pill as soon as you remember. You may even need to take two pills at the same time. Then continue taking the rest of the medicines in the pack as scheduled. Missing one pill does not mean that you are not protected. You don’t have to use extra contraception.

No serious side effects have been reported in case someone has taken an overdose of the pills. Still, it is suggested to consult your doctor right away.

Is marvelon good for breastfeeding?

It is not recommended to take the medicine while breastfeeding for up to six weeks after the birth as they may cause a reduction in the production of breast milk.

Is marvelon a monophasic pill?

Yes, Marvelon is a monophasic pill.

Does Marvelon affect your weight?

The hormones in Marvelon can affect your weight by changing:

• the way your body retains water, fat and muscle
• how strong is your metabolism and food processing mechanism
• Marvelon can trigger both weight gain and weight loss as a side effect.

Does Marvelon cause blood clots?

Yes, there are chances of developing a blood clot when using contraceptive pills like Marvelon. 

Does smoking while taking Marvelon affect the treatment?

Yes, you must not smoke when you are using Marvelon. 

Does marvelon help clear skin?

It depends on the pill you are taking and the way your body reacts to it. For some people, Marvelon may help clear the skin and improve acne, while for others, it may get worse.

Does Marvelon protect yourself from STIs?

No, Marvelon cannot protect you from STIs.