I am writing my review based on the contraceptive pill "Microgynon 30" also knows basically as the pill. For me the pill is a brilliant pill to be on, I don't take the pill for contraception reasons, I have used it the pill since I was 15 as I had really bad periods from a young age and this was the only way to make them a bit lighter and easier to bare. Come on ladies you know what it is like when that time of the month comes, your mood swings and yes guys you know them mood swings as well one minute we are ok and the next we are biting your heads off!!
How does the Pill actually work??
Simple…there are 2 main active ingredients in the pill which are ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel; these are synthetic versions of the naturally occurring female sex hormones, oestrogen and
progesterone. Instead of wondering when your next period is going to arrive the pill kind of over rides it as you take 21 pills and have a
7 day break that is when your period comes along! I think everyone knows about the cycle with the egg, but if not, every month an egg is released from the ovaries and basically sticks to the lining of the womb ready for a possible pregnancy, but when it is not fertilised, a woman's hormone level changes causing the womb lining to bleed (the monthly period).
The hormones in the pill stop an egg from being released as the pill tricks the body into thinking that
ovulation (an egg being released) has already happened.
Taking the pill
The pill comes in a marked green pack with the days of the week for
21 days, so you take one daily, your suppose to take one like clockwork everyday, so same time each day for effectiveness. Once you have taken all 21 pills, you have a 7 day
break in which time you do have a period which is normally short and light with fingers crossed. You take the pill orally. I recommend taking the pill at a time you will find easier such as first thing in the morning when you
wake up or before you go to bed. IF YOU HAVE NEVER TAKEN THE PILL BEFORE THEN YOU START IT ON THE FIRST DAY OF YOUR PERIOD. But saying that your GP can advise you on when is the best time for you to
take it.
What if you miss a pill??
If you have forgotten to take the pill then take it as soon as you remember and carry on your packet as normal, so if you forgot to take it before bed, take it in the morning and take the next pill like you would normally do before bed, so you would
take 2 pills in
one day then just carry on one a day. If you forget 1 or 2 pills then you are still protected against getting pregnant but if you forget more then you may get pregnant in which case you should use extra contraception such as condom!
Cautions with the following
1. Women aged 35 and over
2. Any immediate family (i.e mum, dad, brother or sister) have had any strokes, heart attacks, clots all before the age of 45
3. Smokers
4. Obesity
5.
High blood pressure6. Varicose veins
7. Diabetes
8. History of severe depression
9. History of migraines
YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE TAKING ANY MEDICATION, as they can recommend the best contraceptive such as the injection.
1. You are pregnant or might be
2. Breastfeeding (Up to 6 months or until weaning)
3. Any known blood clots
4. Angina
5. Woman who smoke more than 40 cigarettes a day
6. Excess of urea
in the blood causing damaged red blood cells (haemolytic uraemic syndrome)
7. Women with two or more other risk factors for getting a blood clot in a vein, e.g.
family history of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism before the age of 45 (parent, brother or sister), obesity,
varicose veins, long-term immobility
8. Irregular heartbeat caused by very rapid contraction of the top two chambers of the heart (atrial fibrillation)
9. Severe high blood pressure
10. Women over 50
11. History of
breast cancer12. Heredity disorders/diseases
13. Liver disease or history of liver disease
14. History of Jaundice
Again always consult you doctor before taking any medication
Side Effects
Please note that I have not had any
side effects what so ever from the taking the pill but everyone is different and it can affect people in different ways.
1. Sickness and nausea
2. Headaches/Migraines
3. Weight changes
4. Thrush down below
5. Decrease
Sex drive (take in account you guys)
6. Skin reactions
7. Depression
8. Rise in blood pressure (Your GP/Nurse should always check your blood pressure when you visit to get the pill each time)
9. Blood clots
Factors which may cause side effects
1. Being a smoker (I am smoker and I haven't had any)
2. Obese
3. Diabetic (some do use the pill but have to be under careful supervision)
4. High blood pressure
5. High Cholesterol levels
6. Immobility for a while
It is actually one of the effective contraception to use 99.9% effective which is nearly 100% oh unless you get sterilised.
Good points about taking the pill
1. It makes your periods lighter which is a blessing
2. You periods only last for a few days instead of a week or two!!
3. Some people say it stops period pain but for me every other month I do actually get those period cramps!!
Bad points about taking the pill
1. REMEMBERING TO TAKE IT…as someone said to me but I am like clockwork, I don't see any
bad points at all unless you are an unlucky one and get the side effects which aren't very much likely as the doctors say.
2. DOES NOT PROTECT YOU FROM SEXUAL TRANSMITTED DIESASES AND INFECTIONS.
DID YOU KNOW that the pill can actually reduce your chances of getting ovary, womb and bowel cancer but unfortunately increases your risk of getting breast, liver and cervical cancer. They say that the increase in breast cancer is now 25% while taking the pill, but if you stop taking it then the risk reduces. Here is a message you should always check your breasts for lumps etc…
What reduces the risk of the pill??
1. If you are on anti-biotics
2. Have sickness or diarrhoea
3. Of course forgetting to take the pill. If you become unwell and you are
having sex then it best to be safer and use extra contraception for a while.
England & Wales: (Sexual Health and Contraceptive
Health line): 0845 310 1334
Northern Ireland: 02890 325 488.
Scotland: Scotland: 0141 576 5088.
I couldn't be without the pill now, I have taken it so long now that it just fits into my
daily routine and I never forget to take a pill as it's kept in the same place. I recently went to the family planning clinic to get the pill, I get 6 months worth, when you visit your GP or clinic they should weigh you, check your blood pressure and chat to you about how you coping on the pill, any problems, when your last period was etc… I find it good that the days of the week are on the packet, the pills are very small and don't taste of nothing what so ever,
just be careful you don't pop them out the packet and they fall and roll under something as they can be a pain to find. I have not had any side effects what so ever! I always start my packet on a Sunday and finish on a Saturday and come on my period around the Wednesday and sometimes I am just coming off my period when I am
ready to take the next packet on the Sunday. I started by putting a reminder on my phone to take the pill, but then I found it so much easier to keep the pill in my bathroom and take it before I go to bed after I have my wash so I remember as I have to look in the cupboard. My periods are much lighter I used to be on my period for about a week nearly two weeks and the pain was unbearable and being young I didn't want to go to school. Helping your periods and being contraception but I must stress IT IS A CONTRACEPTION BUT DOES NOT PROTECT YOU AGAINST S.T.I's SO ALWAYS GET THE GUY TO WEAR A CONDOM UNLESS
YOU ARE A PROPA COUPLE!!
Would I recommend??
Yes I definitely would, especially if you have heavy and long periods here is the solution. It's small, easy to take and has the days of the week so you can't forget the day! Also if you are sexually active but don't wish to become pregnant! But always consult your doctor about taking it and seeing whether it is the most suitable method for you.
Thanks for reading
Mell (June 2008)
The best CONTRACEPTION!! 
Interesting stuff