Are you thinking about birth control? It is too easy to be confused about the various birth control options available. Should you take the mini-pill, which contains just progesterone or an estrogen/progestin combination pill? Or what about an IUD (intrauterine device)? Is it painful to get and can it hurt your chances of procreating in the future? There are also barrier methods, such as the male condom and the female condom to consider. This article will focus on the Mononessa birth control pill. You can decide if it is right for you after reading.

What Is Mononessa Birth Control?

The Mononessa birth control pill is a combination birth control pill used for pregnancy prevention. It consists of two different female hormones: estrogen and synthetic progesterone. The combination of these two hormones are effective against pregnancy in three ways:

• They prevent ovulation, which is the release of the egg.
• They alter the cervical mucus so that the sperm cannot travel up to meet the egg.
• They alter the composition of the lining of the uterus so that the fertilized egg cannot implant into the uterine lining. Implantation is necessary for the fertilized egg to get its nutrients and blood supply.

How to Use Mononessa Birth Control Pill

Be sure to read the leaflet you pharmacist gives you that says “Patient Information” before beginning the pill and reread the instructions every time you pick up a refill for the medication. This leaflet has vital information about how best to take the pills and what you should do if you accidentally miss a pill. The pharmacist can be a valuable resource for you and can help you if you have any particular questions.

This is an oral pill to be taken by mouth once daily. Choose a time of the day in which you will more easily remember to take it and try to take at the same time of day each day. The pills come in a packet containing 21 pills that contain the hormones and 7 "dummy" pills that do not contain anything but help remind you to keep taking the pills.

You take the active pills containing the hormones for 21 straight days and, if your pill packet contains 28 pills, you also take the dummy pills for a week. You should get your period during the time you are taking the dummy pills but, even if this doesn't happen, you should start the next pill pack anyway. If you still don't get your period, ask your doctor about what to do. Some women will skip periods when on the pill and this is normal.

If you are taking the Mononessa birth control pill for the first time and aren't switching away from another type of hormonal birth control method, you should take the first pill on the very first Sunday after your menstrual flow has started. Alternatively, you can take it on the first day of your menstrual flow, whichever is easier. If this is your first month taking the pill, you need to use a non-hormonal barrier method or spermicidal method of birth control for the first week after starting the pill. This allows the pill hormones to build up in your system and be effective in preventing pregnancy. And if you start taking the pills on the first day of your period, you don't need a backup method.

Will There Any Side Effects of Using Mononessa?

Most women have no problems taking the pills. Few people will have a severe allergy to the medication, resulting in swelling of the lips, throat, face, or tongue, and difficulty breathing.

More common side effects include the following:

• Breast tenderness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Darkening of the skin on the face or increased freckles
• Loss of hair on the scalp
• Problems with vision when wearing contacts
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nervous feelings
• Vaginal spotting
• Rash
• Vaginal discharge or itching
• Change in appetite or weight

More severe side effects that require medical attention include the following:

• Symptoms of a stroke
• Evidence of blood clots in the lung (shortness of breath, cough, pain in the chest, coughing of blood)
• Evidence of a deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in the calf with redness, warmth, and swelling of the calf)
• Symptoms of a heart attack with chest pain that radiates to the shoulder or jaw associated with sweating and nausea
• Evidence of liver abnormalities (pain in the right upper stomach, itching, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, jaundice and stools the color of clay)
• Migraine headaches that change in character
• A lump in the breast
• Depressive symptoms or any change in mood
• Swelling that occurs in your feet, hands, or ankles

There are other possible side effects of Mononessa birth control pills. If you believe you are experiencing a side effect or symptom as a result of taking this form of birth control, seek medical attention, read the pamphlet that comes with the pills, or talk to a pharmacist who may be able to help you.

Can Everyone Use Mononessa?

Beside the possible side effects, you should know not everyone can take Mononessa birth control pills. If you have any of these issues, you should not use this form of birth control:

• Are pregnant. Birth defects can come from taking these pills while already pregnant.
• Are a smoker and are more than 35 years of age
• Suffer from chest pain
• Have abnormal vaginal bleeding of unknown origin
• Have had a blood clot, heart attack, or stroke
• Have uncontrolled hypertension
• Have a heart valve problem that hasn't been controlled
• Are a diabetic with kidney, eye, or circulatory disease
• Suffer from breast cancer or cancer of the uterus
• Suffer from liver cancer
• Get jaundiced when taking birth control pills
• Have uncontrolled migraine headaches

Check with your doctor before taking Mononessa birth control pills if you have any of the following:

• A history of major depression
• High triglycerides or high cholesterol
• Hypertension or cardiac disease
• Liver disease
• Kidney disease
• Gallbladder disease
• Diabetes
• Epilepsy or seizure disorder
• Irregular menses
• An abnormal mammogram, breast lumps or nodules, or fibrocystic breast disease