Katya

Katya is a combined hormonal contraceptive pill (CHC) that you take to avoid getting pregnant. It's available on prescription and is licensed by Stragen UK Ltd.

Advantages of Katya include:

• It can be 99% effective if used correctly
• It is completely reversible (the effects are temporary, and will only last whilst taking it)
• It is a monophasic contraceptive (you don't have to worry about changing doses mid-cycle)
• It contains a ‘third generation’ form of progesterone called gestodene, which is designed to cause fewer side effects
• It does not interrupt sex
• It usually makes your periods lighter, regular, and less painful
• It reduces your chances of developing ovarian and endometrial (the lining of your womb) cancer
• It may reduce your risk of health problem like fibroids, ovarian cysts, and non-cancerous breast disease
• It may reduce your pre-menstrual symptoms (PMS) such as bloating
• It may improve your acne

Prices for a 3 month course are from £19. Prices for a 6 month course are from £24.

Katya is called a standard strength pill because it contains 30 μg of ethinylestradiol. This makes it better at reducing period-related problems like heavy bleeding or period pain.

Lower strength pills only contain 20 μg. They are less likely to give side effects, but Katya also has fewer side effects than some pills because it contains Gestodene; a third-generation progesterone.

Katya is a monophasic contraceptive, which means each tablet throughout your course contains the same amount of active ingredients. This is different from other ‘phasic’ contraceptives, where you take different amounts of hormones on different days during the course. Although monophasic pills do not provide any difference in dosage, they are just effective and are easier to take.

Other contraceptive pills containing the same active ingredients as Katya are:

• Femodene
• Femodette
• Millinette
• Sunya
• Triadene

Katya is most similar to Femodene and Millinette 30/75.

Other options for the contraceptive pill include:

• Biphasic preparations such as BiNovum (discontinued)
• Triphasic preparations such as: Logynon, Triadene, Synphase, TriRegol
• Quadraphasic preparations like Qlaira
• Progesterone-only pills including (these contain the active ingredient desogestrel): Cerazette, Cerelle

If you’re thinking about other contraceptive options that last longer so you don’t have to take a pill every day, you could consider long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC). For example:

• The progesterone injection
• The hormonal implant
• The intrauterine device (IUD)
• The intrauterine system (IUS)

These last for months (in the case of the injection) or years (in the case of the implant, the IUS or the IUD), and are only effective while you use them.

You can reorder Katya online if you are taking it or would like to change from the one you are taking to Katya are over 18 years of age.

Katya might be contraindicated (not safe to use) if you have any of the following:

• A history of deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in your leg), pulmonary embolism (blood clot in your lung), or a blood clot in any other organ
• A close family member (such as parent or sibling) that had a blood clot at a young age
• A disorder affecting blood clotting or a thrombotic disorder
• A history of heart attack or stroke
• A history of angina or a transient ischaemic attack (temporary stroke symptoms)
• Very high blood pressure
• Very high levels of cholesterol or triglycerides
• Lipid metabolic disorders
• Hyperhomocysteinemia
• Endometrial or breast cancer
• Liver disease or history of a liver tumour
• A history of migraine with ‘aura’
• Sickle cell anaemia
• Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
• An allergy or sensitivity to any of the ingredients in Katya

Katya may not be suitable if you have one of the following:

• A high risk of developing breast disease
• Awaiting an operation, which will make you immobile for a period of time afterwards
• Diabetes
• Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Haemolytic uraemic syndrome
• Pancreatitis
• Having recently given birth
• Superficial thrombophlebitis
• Varicose veins
• Migraines
• A personal or family history of heart problems or circulatory problems
• A personal or family history of problems with blood clotting
• Porphyria
• If you are overweight or obese
• If you have an illness which worsened during pregnancy, or when previously using a CHC
• If you are a moderately heavy smoker – especially over the age of 35

You can reorder Katya quickly and discreetly using our online service by simply completing an online questionnaire. The doctor will review your questionnaire and confirm that Katya is the right choice for you. Your pill is then delivered the next day.

For your first prescription you would need to see a doctor. You can get a prescription either in-person at your local doctor’s surgery or clinic.

Be careful when buying medicine over the internet, because there are lots of unlicensed websites selling medication. Buying medication from someone without a license is illegal and unsafe.

Always follow the directions for taking Katya given to you by your doctor.

• Katya comes as a white tablet, which should be swallowed whole. Don't crush or chew the tablet.
• One Katya tablet should be taken daily for 21 days in a row. After 21 days you will have a break of 7 days when you take no pills. This is the most common way to take the pill, but there are other options like taking the pill continuously for 3 months, or more. You can discuss these other options with your doctor, who’ll be able to explain how to do it and the advantages and disadvantages of it.
• During the 7-day break you’ll most likely have a ‘withdrawal bleed’ that’s similar to a period.
• On the day following the break, you will start the first pill of your next strip, and the cycle will begin again for the next month.
• You should take your pill around the same time each day. This will ensure that your hormone levels remain constant and you are protected effectively against pregnancy. It does not matter which time of day you take your pill.

If you’re less than 24 hours late with taking your pill, take your missed pill as soon as you remember and continue the next day as usual. Your contraceptive cover will not be reduced.

If you’re more than 24 hours late with taking your pill, or you have missed more that one pill, you may be at risk of pregnancy.

Week 1 - take your most recent missed pill as soon as you remember, even if this means taking two pills in one day. Carry on taking Katya as normal after that for the next 7 days. At the same time, you should use a barrier method of contraception (eg. condoms or diaphragm) if you have sex for the next seven days.

Week 2 - take your most recent missed pill as soon as you remember, even if this means taking two pills in one day. If you have taken Katya correctly during the previous 7 days before your missed pill then it is not necessary to take additional contraceptive precautions.

If you have not taken Katya correctly or if more than 1 pill has been missed you should use a barrier method of contraception for the next 7 days.

Week 3 - if you have taken the Katya correctly for the previous 7 days before your missed pill then you would not need to use additional contraception precaution.

If you haven't taken Katya correctly in the previous 7 days before your missed pill:

• You should use additional barrier contraception for the next 7 days.
• You should also take the most recent missed pill as soon as you remember, even if this means taking two pills in one day.
• You should also begin your next pack immediately from your last pill in your current strip; meaning no break.
• You may still experience breakthrough bleeding or spotting on the days you take Katya.

If you have any doubts about what to do if you’ve missed a pill or taken it late, contact your doctor to get more advice. They’ll be able to prescribe you the next day pill (emergency contraception) if you need it and explain the next steps for you to follow.

If you don't get your usual withdrawal bleed during your 7 day break, you could be pregnant. Take a pregnancy test or contact your doctor immediately.

If you have vomiting or diarrhoea:

• If you vomit within 3-4 hours after taking Katya, follow the advice as above for missed pills.
• Unless you have very severe diarrhoea, it is unlikely to interfere with your contraceptive cover. If severe diarrhoea persists for 2 or more days, then follow the advice for missed pills.

If you’re unsure or your symptoms persist, then speak to your doctor.

Common side effects usually settle within the first few months, especially during the first 3 months while your body adjusts to the contraceptive. If they become too disruptive or persistent, then see a doctor. If irregular bleeding or spotting continues it is especially important to attend your GP for a check-up to exclude other causes.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of these rare but serious effects,

• Blood clots.
• Severe liver problems (including yellow eyes or skin).
• Allergic reaction (face, mouth or throat swelling, difficulty breathing).

Katya and the risk of blood clots - you are at a slightly higher risk of having a blood clot if you take Katya. However the risk is still very small. There are other CHCs with a slightly lower risk.

You need to seek urgent medical attention if you notice any of the following signs or symptoms of a blood clot:

• Pain or painful swelling in one leg (deep vein thrombosis).
• Sudden breathlessness, dizziness, chest pain or coughing up blood (pulmonary embolism).
• Loss or blurring of vision (retinal vein thrombosis).

Don’t take Katya again until a doctor says it is safe for you to do so.