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Taking Femilon. Started Irregular Period After Stopping This Medicine. Planning For Pregnancy. Suggestion

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Posted on Sat, 11 May 2013
Question: I am currently under contraceptive pills -Femilon for almost 2 years now with 3-4 breaks inbtwn twice . I dont have any side effects and when i stopped pills for 3 mnths, i had my regular periods.
Is it safe to continue the pills and when do i have to stop the pills if i am planning to get pregnant ?
Will pills have an adverse effect while trying to get pregnant.?
SHOULD I take any tests before that or take any supplements to avoid the ill effects of pills if any
Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Nirja Chawla (12 hours later)
Hello XXXXXX,
Femilon is an ultra-low dose preparation of the female hormones, Estrogen and Progesterone (known as Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills = COCPs), with many uses - as a contraceptive; to regularize periods; as a form of treatment for Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome; for endometriosis etc...

The side-effects are hardly any. They are very safe.
However, at the time of starting these pills we do ask our patients for any past or current history of liver disease and Deep Vein Thrombosis = 'clots in legs'. Any problems associated with these occur within 1 year of start of these pills. You do not fall in that period with any such risks.
There may be a slight increase of breast cancer but since the risk of breast cancer is very, very low in your age group, the absolute or real risk is very small.

COCPs have many advantages. Other than their uses in so many disorders, they have strong preventive action against many cancers. They are protective against colon (large intestine), uterus and ovaries cancer.

A few years ago, breaks in pill taking were recommended. Now it is felt that giving breaks is not required. You can take them for many years without a break without any problem. In fact these ultra-low dose pills can be taken upto mature years also, beyond age 35, provided you are a non smoker, with no migraine headaches and normal blood pressure.

They are excellent contraceptives with very low failure rates.
On stopping the pills, return of fertility is immediate with no delay as in the case of some other contraceptives. This means that once you stop your pills, in the next cycle itself you may conceive.

No, these pills do not cause any problem if you want to conceive. You have to, of course, stop the pills and not continue taking them if you are taking them for reasons other than contraception.

In fact, since the problem of endometriosis is so common and it decreases fertility, taking the COCPs improves endometriosis and increase chances of getting pregnant.

No, you do not need any tests or monitoring while on pills nor do you need any supplements just because you are on pills.
I hope this answers all your queries.

Other than that, if you wish to conceive i would suggest you get a pre-marital counselling from your doctor who will check your Blood Group, Haemoglobin, Thalassemia and Thyroid status, Rubella protection etc; and start Folic Acid 1-3 months before you plan your pregnancy.
Regards,
Dr Nirja Chawla
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Nirja Chawla

OBGYN, Maternal and Fetal Medicine

Practicing since :1979

Answered : 78 Questions

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Taking Femilon. Started Irregular Period After Stopping This Medicine. Planning For Pregnancy. Suggestion

Hello XXXXXX,
Femilon is an ultra-low dose preparation of the female hormones, Estrogen and Progesterone (known as Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills = COCPs), with many uses - as a contraceptive; to regularize periods; as a form of treatment for Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome; for endometriosis etc...

The side-effects are hardly any. They are very safe.
However, at the time of starting these pills we do ask our patients for any past or current history of liver disease and Deep Vein Thrombosis = 'clots in legs'. Any problems associated with these occur within 1 year of start of these pills. You do not fall in that period with any such risks.
There may be a slight increase of breast cancer but since the risk of breast cancer is very, very low in your age group, the absolute or real risk is very small.

COCPs have many advantages. Other than their uses in so many disorders, they have strong preventive action against many cancers. They are protective against colon (large intestine), uterus and ovaries cancer.

A few years ago, breaks in pill taking were recommended. Now it is felt that giving breaks is not required. You can take them for many years without a break without any problem. In fact these ultra-low dose pills can be taken upto mature years also, beyond age 35, provided you are a non smoker, with no migraine headaches and normal blood pressure.

They are excellent contraceptives with very low failure rates.
On stopping the pills, return of fertility is immediate with no delay as in the case of some other contraceptives. This means that once you stop your pills, in the next cycle itself you may conceive.

No, these pills do not cause any problem if you want to conceive. You have to, of course, stop the pills and not continue taking them if you are taking them for reasons other than contraception.

In fact, since the problem of endometriosis is so common and it decreases fertility, taking the COCPs improves endometriosis and increase chances of getting pregnant.

No, you do not need any tests or monitoring while on pills nor do you need any supplements just because you are on pills.
I hope this answers all your queries.

Other than that, if you wish to conceive i would suggest you get a pre-marital counselling from your doctor who will check your Blood Group, Haemoglobin, Thalassemia and Thyroid status, Rubella protection etc; and start Folic Acid 1-3 months before you plan your pregnancy.
Regards,
Dr Nirja Chawla