Femodene

What is Femodene?

Femodene is a combined oral contraceptive pill used to prevent pregnancy.

This contraceptive is taken for 21 days each month. After this, you will have seven pill-free days, during which time you will get a normal withdrawal bleed.

You need a prescription to buy Femodene. 

Why is Femodene a recommended contraceptive pill?

When taken correctly, Femodene is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.

Using this combined pill will often make your periods more regular, lighter and less painful, as well as possibly help with pre-menstrual symptoms.

However, taking contraceptive pills such as Femodene will not protect you from catching a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Only condoms can work to protect against STIs.

How does Femodene work?

Femodene is a monophasic combined pill, which means that each pill contains the same amount of hormones.

Femodene contains two different synthetic sex hormones, oestrogen (ethinylestradiol) and progestogen (gestodene), and works to prevent pregnancy in three different ways:

• It prevents your ovaries from releasing an egg.
• It thickens the mucus in your cervix, making it harder for sperm to enter the womb.
• It prevents the lining of your womb from thickening enough for an egg to grow within it.

Can you buy Femodene over the counter?

You can only buy Femodene when a doctor has prescribed it for you. It is not available for sale over the counter.

Can you buy Femodene online?

Femodene is a prescription-only medication. You can buy Femodene online from Medicine Direct following a confidential online consultation with one of our registered doctors.

It is important to ensure that you are buying medicine online from a fully regulated UK pharmacy such as Medicine Direct. To learn more about our company, team, medical professionals, and the licenses we hold, visit our about us page.

Femodene alternatives

There are many alternatives if Femodene is not suitable for you to take.

Many women prefer to take Femodene ED (Every Day), which is useful if you fear you might lose track of days while taking a contraceptive pill that requires a seven-day break. A pack of Femodene ED contains 28 tablets: 21 ‘active’ tablets and 7 ‘inactive’ tablets.

This medicine works in the same way as normal Femodene, but instead of taking a seven-day break, you will take one inactive tablet each day instead. You will still have a bleed during this time, but you won’t need to worry about stopping and restarting the tablets.

Alternative brands of combined pills you could also try include:

• Synphase
• Noriday
• Gedarel

There are also progestogen-only pills (POPs), which do not contain any oestrogen. Some women find these pills are better for them. Medicine Direct stocks POP brands such as Cerazette and Norgeston.

For more information on different types of contraception that may be suitable for you, we recommend visiting the Contraception Choices website.

How to take Femodene

For immediate contraceptive protection, start to take Femodene on the first day of your period.

Swallow Femodene pills whole with a drink of water. Do not crush or chew them.

Each strip of Femodene contains 21 pills. You will take one pill each day for 21 days; take them around the same time each day.

After taking the pills for 21 days, take a break of 7 days where you do not take any. You will get a bleed during these 7 days, similar to a period.

After your 7 day break, begin taking the pills in the next strip for a further 21 days.

Always read the patient information leaflet for a detailed list of instructions.

Femodene Side Effects

Common side effects of Femodene include:

• Headaches
• Depression or mood swings
• Feeling sick
• Stomach aches
• Sore or painful breasts
• Weight gain

Less common Femodene reactions include:

• Loss of interest in sex
• Fluid retention
• Migraine
• Skin rash
• Breast enlargement
• Vomiting or upset stomach

Speak to your doctor if any of these effects bother you or do not go away.

This list is not exhaustive. Read the patient information leaflet for a comprehensive list of known side effects.

Warnings

Tell your doctor or nurse if you are currently taking any other form of medicine. Femodene may interact with other medicinal products. 

In particular, make sure they are aware if you are taking:

• St. John's wort
• Sedatives (barbiturates)
• Epilepsy medicines
• HIV and hepatitis C medicines
• Griseofulvin
• Certain antibiotics

Speak to your doctor before taking Femodene if you have been told you are intolerant to certain sugars.

Read the patient information leaflet before you start taking Femodene. Here, you will find a complete list of precautions to take with this medicine.

Femodene Ingredients

The main active ingredients within this medicine are: Gestodene and Ethinylestradiol

For a full list of the inactive ingredients, please read the Summary of Product Characteristics.

How much does it cost to buy Femodene online in the UK?

FAQ

Is Femodene an effective pill?

Yes, as long as you take it correctly, Femodene is a very effective contraceptive pill, providing almost 100% protection against pregnancy.

What is the difference between Femodene and Femodette?

Femodene and Femodette are both combined oral contraceptive pills and both contain the same active ingredients. They are also both designed to be taken for 21 days, followed by a break of 7 days where you do not take any pills. Speak to your doctor about which may be more suitable for you to take.

How long does it take for Femodene to work?

You will have protection straight away if you start to take Femodene on the first day of your period.

Can Femodene make my hair thinner?

Femodene is not known to thin hair, although some women may experience hair growth/hair loss while taking the combined contraceptive pill.

Does Femodene cause depression?

Depression or depressed moods have been reported by some women who take Femodene. Tell your doctor if you suffer from depression or any other mental health problems before you start to take this medication. Speak to your doctor if you notice feelings of depression while taking Femodene.

Is Femodene effective for acne?

Sometimes, a doctor might prescribe the combined pill as a treatment for acne. You should only take Femodene to treat acne if your doctor has given you a prescription for this reason.

What is the difference between Femodene and Femodene ED?

Femodene and Femodene ED work in the same way to prevent pregnancy. However, when you take Femodene ED, you will not have a break between strips of pills. Instead, you will take seven ‘inactive’ pills as well as the 21 ‘active’ pills. Femodene ED may be more suitable for women who might find it hard to keep track of when to stop and start taking pills.

Does Femodene cause blood clots?

All women who take the combined contraceptive pill are at an increased risk of blood clots. Read the patient information leaflet for comprehensive details on blood clot risks and symptoms.

When should I start to take Femodene?

Ideally, you should start to take Femodene on the first day of your period. This will give you contraceptive protection immediately and you will not need to use a condom during sex.

Does the pill stop your period?

Taking the pill properly usually makes your periods more regular and lighter. During your seven day break from Femodene pills, you should have a withdrawal bleed like a period. If you have missed a period, take a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant.