Zoely

Zoely is a combined pill containing synthetic versions of oestrogen and progestogen to trick your body into thinking ovulation has occurred. This stops the ovaries from releasing an egg, making pregnancy highly improbable.

In addition to this, Zoely thickens cervical mucus and thins the lining of the uterus so that even if an egg is released, it’s harder for sperm to reach it and less likely for it to implant. Together, these mechanisms make pregnancy close to impossible.

Zoely differs from other combined pills in that it contains a form of oestrogen that is structurally identical to the oestrogen found naturally in the body. By containing this form of oestrogen, Zoely offers natural protection from pregnancy that doesn’t sacrifice effectiveness.

The Zoely pill is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy when taken correctly, but when accounting for misuse, this drops to around 93%, as shown here.

Clinical research supports this, with one study finding that combined pills like Zoely containing nomegestrol acetate and estradiol are likely to cause only 1 pregnancy per 100 women taking it for a year, translating to a success rate of around 99%.

Only women aged 18 or over can be prescribed Zoely from 121doc.

Do not take Zoely if you have:

• an allergy to any ingredient found in this medicine
• ever had a blood clot or a condition affecting clotting
• a surgery coming up
• ever had a heart attack or stroke
• ever had angina pectoris (a condition causing severe chest pain) or transient ischaemic attack (temporary stroke symptoms)
• experienced migraine with aura
• experienced inflammation in the pancreas
• ever had liver disease, a liver tumour, or kidney problems
• meningioma (a tumour between the brain and skull)
• ever had breast cancer or cancer of the genital organs
• experienced unexplained vaginal bleeding

Zoely is also not recommended for women over 35 who smoke. Ask your doctor about alternative treatments if you are unable to take combined pills like Zoely.

When to take your first Zoely pill depends on a few different factors. Consult this guide if you’re unsure:

In most instances, starting Zoely on the first day of our period ensures immediate protection. That means no additional contraception is needed once you’ve started.

However, if you start on any other day, or you’re switching from a progestogen-only pill, injectable, implant, or intraurine system, it can take up to a week before Zoely protects you from pregnancy completely. In this case, use condoms for 7 days after your first pill.

Zoely contains 28 tablets in each pack: 24 active (white) tablets, and 4 inactive (yellow) ones. To prepare your pack, choose the sticker beginning with the current day of the week and attach it to the blister. This helps you keep track of which tablet you need to take and makes it easier to remember if you have taken it already.

Then, take 1 tablet daily until you reach the end of your pack. Once you’ve taken the last one, start the next one the very next day without taking a break. You should experience a small withdrawal bleed during the last 4 days of your pack.

If you forget to take Zoely, you risk being less protected against pregnancy. What you do next depends on how long it’s been and which tablet you’ve forgotten to take.

If you are:

• Less than 12 hours late: Take the forgotten pill as soon as possible, and take your next one at the usual time. No additional contraception is required.
• More than 12 hours late: Follow the instructions below depending on which tablet you’ve missed.
  • Day 1-7: Take the missed pill as soon as possible, and take your next one at the usual time. Use barrier contraception (condoms) for the next 7 days.
  • Day 8-17: If you have missed one pill, take the missed pill as soon as possible, and take your next one at the usual time. No additional contraception is required. If you have missed more than one pill, follow the same advice but use condoms for 7 days.
  • Day 18-24: Take the missed pill as soon as possible, and take your next one at the usual time. Skip the inactive (yellow) tablets and start a new pack immediately after your last active pill. Use condoms for 7 days.
  • Day 25-28: Discard the missed inactive (yellow) pill(s) and continue taking your tablets as normal. No additional contraception is needed.

Zoely birth control pills can cause side effects, although they are usually mild and should subside once your body gets used to the medication. In rare cases, side effects can be dangerous, for instance, if you get a blood clot. Consult your doctor if you are worried about side effects.

The most common Zoely side effects are:

• acne
• changes to your menstrual period
• lowered libido (sex drive)
• headache or migraine
• nausea
• breast or pelvic pain
• weight gain

For a full list of side effects, consult the patient information leaflet sent with your order.

Zoely can cause weight gain in some women who take it, but this is usually a result of water retention, and tends to be temporary. This is likely due to hormonal changes, and there is no evidence that Zoely directly causes fat gain.

Yes, Zoely contraceptive pills can cause changes to your menstrual periods, including making them lighter, more or less painful, or even stopping them completely. Usually, you will experience a light withdrawal bleed during the last 4 days of each pack.

No, you cannot get Zoely without a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. Safety is our number one priority at 121doc, and 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