Marvelon

Marvelon is a combined contraceptive pill, otherwise known as “the pill”. It is one of the most well-known, effective, and easy-to-use contraceptives. You take a pill once a day for 21 days, and then have a 7-day break to allow for a bleed.

Marvelon contraceptive pills work in 3 main ways:

• Preventing ovulation - the process by which the ovary releases an egg each month.
• Thickening the cervical mucus - this makes it harder for semen to enter the cervix and fertilise an egg.
• Thinning the lining of the womb - this makes it harder for an egg to implant into the womb lining if fertilised.

Marvelon is a combined pill. It contains synthetic versions of the hormones oestrogen (30 mcg of ethinylestradiol) and progestogen (150 mcg of levonorgestrel).

It works by balancing the levels of hormones, preventing these reproductive processes from happening.

Marvelon is over 99% effective when used perfectly every time. However, with typical use, it is 91% effective.

The effectiveness of your contraception can be affected by missing pills, being sick or having diarrhoea. Therefore, you must take Marvelon correctly, where possible, to make sure it is effective and to reduce the risk of pregnancy.

Marvelon birth control pills are effective immediately if you start taking them:

• during days 1-5 of your cycle
• the day after your last active pill, patch, or ring (if switching to Marvelon from another combined contraceptive)*

Marvelon will not be effective for at least 7 days if you start taking it on day 6 of your cycle or after. You will need to use extra protection (e.g. a condom) for at least 7 days to allow Marvelon to become effective.

You will also need to use extra contraception for 7 days if switching from a progestogen-only method to a combined pill.

*You must skip the hormone-free break of your previous contraception if you are switching to Marvelon.

Most adult women can take Marvelon for birth control. However, some women should not take it because they are more at risk of side effects.

Do not take Marvelon if you:

• have high blood pressure
• have a heart condition
• have migraine with aura
• smoke 15 or more cigarettes a day and are aged 35 years and over
• have had a stroke or "mini stroke"
• have had a heart attack
• are off your feet for a long period of time
• have severe liver disease
• are less than 3 weeks postpartum and are not breastfeeding
• are less than 6 weeks postpartum and are breastfeeding

If you have any other medical condition or take any other medicine, you should consult your doctor before taking Marvelon.

Each strip contains 21 pills. You take one pill daily for 21 days. Then, you have a 7-day break. You start a new strip of pills after the last day of the break.

You must take each pill at roughly the same time each day. This is to ensure maximum effectiveness.

Marvelon does not protect you against STIs. You must use condoms to prevent yourself from catching STIs.

A missed pill is more than 24 hours late.

If you miss a Marvelon pill, you should:

• Take it as soon as you remember, even if that means taking 2 pills in one day.
• Use extra barrier contraception (condoms) for the next 7 days.
• Take emergency contraception if you had unprotected sex from the time you missed the pill until 48 hours after you have resumed taking it correctly.

If you vomit or have severe diarrhoea within 3 hours of taking the pill, take another one as soon as possible. If you continue to be sick, treat it like a missed pill and use condoms for 7 days.

If you had unprotected sex in that period, you should consider a pregnancy test 21 days afterwards.

Like all prescription medicines, Marvelon may cause side effects. The most common side effects should go away on their own once your body gets used to the medicine.

Common side effects (up to 1 in 10 people):

• stomach pain
• mood changes
• fluid retention
• headache
• low sex drive (low libido)
• vaginal discharge
• feeling sick (nausea)
• skin reactions
• weight gain
• periods that last for longer than 7 days

Taking Marvelon slightly increases your risk of blood clots. Make sure you learn the signs and symptoms of blood clots. Read the patient information leaflet (PIL) for more information.

Speak to your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any persistent side effects. If you experience any serious side effects, such as an allergic reaction, please seek emergency medical attention.

Marvelon can cause a small amount of weight gain due to fluid retention. However, it is unlikely to cause significant weight gain.

Marvelon does not stop periods. During the 7-day break, you have a withdrawal period, which is like a light period. If you need to delay your period, you can skip the 7-day break and immediately start your next strip of pills to prevent the withdrawal bleed.

Yes, research shows that Marvelon is a safe and clinically-proven contraceptive. But if you have another medical condition or take other medication, your doctor will need to ensure it’s safe for you. Our doctors will also know whether it’s safe for you based on your medical questionnaire during the ordering process.

No, Marvelon is not available over the counter. Safety is our number one priority at 121doc. For this reason, our doctors will only prescribe treatment if you meet the criteria in your online consultation.

A prescription from a trusted healthcare provider like 121doc ensures:

• safety during treatment
• effective results
• monitoring of side effects

Marvelon and Gedarel are medically the same, as they contain the same synthetic oestrogen (ethinylestradiol) and progestogen (desogestrel). The main differences are the manufacturer and that Gedarel is available in two different doses (20mcg & 30mcg).