About Cerazette

How does Cerazette work?

1. Your ovaries don't release an egg (ovum) each month. If there is no egg for the sperm to fertilise then you can't get pregnant. This may not happen in all women taking cerazette.
2. The mucus at your cervix (between your uterus and vagina) becomes thicker making it harder for sperm to enter the uterus.
3. The lining of your uterus becomes thinner making it less likely that a fertilised egg will be able to implant into the lining.

You start your first pack of pills on the first day of you period. Then you take a small white pill at the same time every day for 28 days. The next day you start your next pack of pills (this will be the same day of the week as you started your first pack). You then continue the routine each month. You will always take your pill the same time every day. Unlike with combined pills you don't have a pill free work when you take cerazette.

If only one pill is late and it is less than 12 hours late then take the pill straight away and take you next pill at the normal time (this might mean taking more than one pill on the same day) and continue with your pills as usual. You will be protected against pregnancy.

Things that may make Cerazette less effective

• There are no serious side-effects with the POP.
• It doesn't interfere with sex.
• You can use it if you are breastfeeding.
• It is useful if you cannot take oestrogens, like those found in the combined pill.
• You can use it at any age, but it is especially useful if you are over 35 and you smoke.
• It may help with pre-menstrual tension and painful periods
Disadvantages of taking Cerazette
Some of the disadvantages of the pill are-
• You may not have regular periods while you are taking the POP. Your periods may stop altogether or be irregular, light, or more frequent. This may settle down and is not harmful but you may find it annoying. You may also worry that you are pregnant. If you are in any doubt, see your doctor or nurse. Changing to a different POP may help.
• The POP does not protect you against sexually transmitted infections, so you may need to use condoms as well.
• You have to remember to take the pill at the same time every day.

Unfortunately you will need to go to your doctors or local family planning clinic as Cerazette is a prescription medicine and must be prescribed by a doctor or nurse. I think it is best to go to a family planning clinic as they normally have a slightly better understanding about contraception than some GP's, however many GP's also have a good knowledge on the subject. It's best to go to wherever you feel happier and more at ease. Before you go you may or may not need to make an appointment to see the doctor/nurse. If you do and you'd rather see a woman then say so when you make your appointment. Also before you go to the doctors/clinic it is a good idea to get some leaflets or information on different methods or contraception and have a good read to see which method is best for you so when you go to the doctors/clinic you'll know what you're asking for. Some people are understandably a bit embarrassed about asking for contraception and are worried that the nurse/doctor will ask them personal questions. If you want you can bring a friend you feel comfortable with or your partner with you. The doctor/nurse will be an experienced professional who is used to dealing with peoples contraceptive needs. He/she will try to put you at ease no to embarrass you. They won't pry too far into your private life. They will want to know a bit about your (and your families) medical history, if you are in a stable relationship or are likely to have more than one sexual partner and they will check you weight and blood pressure. They will go through some contraceptive options with you and inform you of their benefits and risk. This is just to make sure you get the best contraceptive method for you. At the end of the consultation you and the nurse/doctor will have decided on the contraceptive method which is best for you and you will leave with your contraception (or a prescription for it) or you will have decided to go think about it some more and come back at a later date. You will normally be offered some free condoms as well. Remember that anything you discuss with your doctor or nurse will be confidential and they can't tell anyone about it (this includes parents). This still applies if you're under 16; you have the same rights as anyone else. If you go on Cerazette you will normally be given 3 months supply to see how you get on. Then you go back to the nurse/doctor and if you are happy with the pill you will normally be given 6 months each time. I think you only get 3 months at a time if you're under 16 but I'm not sure.

My Story

All three times I was asked for my medical history. This included migraines which I have suffered from as long as I can remember. I had no other medical problems. I also had my blood pressure and weight checked which were normal. Each time the nurse/doctor took this into account (I thought) and prescribed microgynon 30.

So I went back to the family planning clinic (it was a different nurse/doctor from before), explained the situation and asked to change to cerazette. They were happy to give me the new pills. The nurse/doctor was surprised that there was no note of migraines on my records as there should have been.

If you are unlucky enough to suffer from migraines like me (or cant take oestrogen containing contraceptives for any other reasons) there is a safe and effective pill that you can use that also gives you a 12 hour window to take your pill. Obviously every woman's body is different and it might not work for you but I am very glad I tried it. However don't just take my word for it ask your GP or even better your local family planning clinic about cerazette.

Sexual health is about protecting yourself from sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancy. Sexual health is just as important as the rest of your health. It is often ignored because people are too embarrassed or scared to speak up. If you think you might have an STI then go see a doctor STRAIGHT AWAY or even better use a condom in the first place. Don't die of ignorance (and believe me you can die). Remember it is your right to chose to not have sex if you don't want to and to demand safer sex (using condoms) from your partner if you are having sex. Don't be embarrassed to buy or ask for contraception, you should be proud you are making a responsible and healthy choice. Don't be ashamed of your body or having sex. It belongs to you and it is up to do (or not do) what you like with it. Don't let others make you feel differently. Sex is better when you're not worrying about these things and have them sorted. If you feel worried or even if you don't discuss how you feel about sexual health and your feelings (about all aspects of your relationship) with your partner. If one or both of you feels uncomfortable doing this then you might want to consider if you are ready for a sexual relationship or if you are the right people for each other. When you've done all that it's time to enjoy a healthy, fun and fulfilling sex life. Happy love making.

P.S. If people think this review is a re-post of my review on Microgynon I assure you it isn't. The format is the same and the section on how to get the pill and the last paragraph are more or less the same in both reviews (they are necessary in both) but the content is different in the rest of the article as it is about two different pills. The my storey section may seem similar but it has been re-written for each review. I hope this is satisfactory and if it isn't well I'm sorry you're not happy but that's how it is.