Marvelon Contraceptive Pill

Marvelon is a contraceptive for use as regular contraceptive. It contains both synthetic progesterone an synthetic oestrogen. These hormones act on the female genital tract and certain areas in the brain to prevent the release of an ovum (egg) from the ovaries, hence preventing pregnancy. MArvelon is different from the emmergency contraceptive Levonorgestrel (the morning after pill - Levonelle) in that it contains a much smaller amount of hormone. The morning after pill is taken in two doses after sex. Marvelon is designed to be taken at the same time each day for 21 days followed by a seven day pill free break, during which time, a withdrawel bleed occurs.
Recent evidence has shown that there is no harm in taking up to three packets of marvelon in a row without a break between each packet. This would give 63 days between each period, a godsend for me.

I started taking marvelon over five years ago and have had no problems with it whatsoever. I have had a regular partner for about the same time and have not been pregnant at all in that time. I also found that the reduced period frequency was brilliant, especially during stressfull times in my life or for hollidays. I sctually found that my periods were lighter and I no longer had any period pains or backache which I had suffered from before.

There are some side effects known to be associated with Marvelon (none of which I have experienced). Women who smoke are at a higher risk of developing deep vein thrombosis at times when the risk is already hightened, for example when taking long haul flights or when pregnant. Some women may want to take steps to prevent this, such as taking a daily aspirin tablet. There is also a slghtly increased risk of breast cancer.

I felt that the advantages of taking marvelon far outweighed the risks. I would recomend that people should consider marvelon and ask their doctor as to whether it would be appropriate for them.