Logynon

Logynon is a combined contraceptive pill used to prevent pregnancy. It contains ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel, man-made versions of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone.

Logynon is a triphasic pill because it contains 3 different doses that are taken over 21 days to mimic your menstrual cycle. There are 3 different colour pills representing the 3 phases of the cycle:

• phase I contains 6 light brown pills (levonorgestrel 50mcg and ethinylestradiol 30mcg)
• phase II contains 5 white tablets (levonorgestrel 75mcg and 40mcg ethinylestradiol)
• phase III contains 10 ochre (yellow) pills (125mcg of levonorgestrel and 30mcg of ethinylestradiol)

It is available in 2 pack sizes, 21 days and 28 days. The 28-day pack is available under the brand name Logynon ED and contains 7 inactive pills that do not contain any hormones. The inactive pills are white and larger than the active pills.

Logynon is made by Bayer and is a prescription-only medication so you will need a doctor’s approval to obtain it.

Logynon and other uses

Although Logynon is primarily used to prevent pregnancy, some people find it also helps with several other symptoms and conditions, such as:

• heavy or irregular periods
• polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• premenstrual symptoms
• acne

However, at ZAVA, we only offer the combined pill for contraception and not to treat other health conditions.

Logynon works to stop you getting pregnant by:

1. Stopping an egg from being released by your ovaries (ovulation).
2. Thinning the womb lining making it hard for an egg to grow in it.
3. Thickening the cervical mucus so sperm find it difficult to enter the womb.

How long does Logynon take to work?

Logynon can be effective immediately if it is taken on days 1 to 5 of your period.

If you start Logynon after day 5, you will need to use additional contraception, such as condoms, for 7 days before you will be protected against pregnancy.

How effective is Logynon?

When taken correctly and without interruption, Logynon is more than 99% effective. However, when typical use is taken into account, the effectiveness is closer to 91% because of things like missed pills or sickness, such as vomiting or diarrhoea.

The best way to make sure Logynon is effective for you is to make sure you do not miss any pills and that you take them exactly as they have been prescribed.

If you are worried you are going to miss a pill, you could try:

• setting an alarm on your phone for the exact time you should take your pill
• using a pill box so you can clearly see if you have taken your pill that day
• downloading a pill reminder app

Before starting the pill, make sure you are not pregnant: if there’s a chance you might be, take a pregnancy test first.

You should swallow each Logynon pill whole with water. When taking Logynon, it is essential that you take the pills in the right order. Each strip contains 21 pills and is marked with a corresponding day of the week. There are 3 different colour pills, which must be taken in the correct order.

Take Logynon as follows:

1. Start by taking pill number 1 and mark the day of the week under the heading “I took my first pill on” by piercing the small unnumbered foil disc – this will remind you which day you started taking the pill.
2. Follow the direction of the arrows printed on the strip. Taking 1 pill each day, until you have taken all 21 pills.
3. Then, have 7 days where you take no pills, so if you take your last pill on a Sunday, you will start the first pill of your next pack on the following Monday.
4. You should have a withdrawal bleed within a few days of your pill-free break – you don’t need to use any additional contraception during this time, you will be protected if you have taken your pills correctly.
5. Start your next Logynon strip after the 7 pill-free days, even if you are still bleeding.

When to take Logynon

It is best to start taking your first Logynon pill within the first 5 days of your period so you are protected from pregnancy straight away.

If you begin taking it anytime after this, you will need to use extra protection like condoms for 7 days.

What if I miss a dose of Logynon?

If you forget to take a pill and it’s been:

Less than 24 hours since you were due to take it, take the pill as soon as possible. You’ll still be protected against pregnancy so you do not need extra contraception.

More than 24 hours since you forgot to take a pill or you have missed more than 1 pill, take the most recent pill as soon as you remember. This means you might take 2 pills on the same day. You should contact your doctor or pharmacist to check if emergency contraception is needed.

Check how many pills are remaining in the blister strip:

• if there are 7 or more pills left, use extra contraception for 7 days, but continue taking your pill as normal, then, when you have finished the strip, have a pill-free break
• if there are less than 7 pills left, use extra contraception for 7 days, but continue taking your pills as normal, and start the next blister strip without a pill-free break

If you do not have a bleed after your second blister strip, speak to your doctor as you may be pregnant. You can also do a pregnancy test to check.

What if I take too much Logynon?

If you have taken too many Logynon pills, it is unlikely to cause you harm, but you may experience side effects, like feeling or being sick, or vaginal bleeding. If you get any of these symptoms, contact your doctor for advice.

What if I throw up after taking Logynon?

If you are sick within 4 hours of taking Logynon, your body may not have absorbed enough active ingredients. If you are better within 12 hours of taking Logynon, you should either:

1. Take the last pill of the strip in place of the pill which may not have been fully absorbed. Then, take all the other pills on the correct days. Your cycle will be shorter, but your protection won’t be affected. After your 7-day pill break, you will have a new starting day that is 1 day earlier than before.
2. Take a pill from a spare strip of Logynon pills if you have one and then take the other pills from your current strip as usual. If you do this your starting day won’t change.

Logynon is available to buy in most UK pharmacies after you have been given a prescription by a doctor. You can also request it from reputable online doctor services such as ZAVA, or from the NHS.

Can I buy Logynon online?

Yes, you can request Logynon from ZAVA in the UK by:

1. Filling out a brief health and lifestyle questionnaire.
2. Requesting your preferred treatment and making payment.
3. One of our doctors will review your treatment request and questionnaire answers.
4. If approved, your treatment will be posted to your address or made available for collection at your local Post Office.
5. If your request is not approved, one of our doctors will contact you via your account with alternative treatment options.

Can I buy Logynon over the counter?

No, Logynon is a prescription-only medication, so it is not available over the counter.

If you are looking for an over-the-counter contraceptive pill, Hana is available without a prescription.

Can I get Logynon on the NHS?

Yes, Logynon may be available on the NHS, but you will need to make an appointment with your doctor to see if it is available and suitable for you.

Common side effects include:

• feeling sick
• headaches
• mood swings or depressive moods
• sore breasts

Uncommon side effects include:

• being sick
• migraine
• loss of interest in sex
• increase in breast size
• skin rash
• fluid retention

Rare side effects include:

• weight loss
• increased libido
• discomfort while wearing contact lenses
• vaginal or breast discharge

How long do Logynon side effects last?

Most Logynon side effects are mild and short-lasting. They should improve or go away completely within the first 3 months as your body adjusts to the medication. If you are still experiencing side effects after this time or you are finding them difficult to manage, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

What to do if you get Logynon side effects

Most mild Logynon side effects can be managed at home by:

• taking over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol to manage pain associated with headaches, cramps, or breast tenderness
• drinking plenty of clear fluid to keep you hydrated and manage symptoms like headaches and feeling sick
• eating smaller, more frequent meals if you are feeling sick
• applying a hot compress to your lower abdomen to manage cramps

If you experience any serious side effects, call 999 or go to A&E straight away, such as:

Signs of an allergic reaction:

• swollen hands, face, lips, tongue, or throat
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• a red bumpy rash and itching

Signs of a blood clot:

• swollen hands, face, lips, tongue, or throat
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• heart attack
• stroke
• red, swollen, painful leg

You should not take Logynon if you:

• have or have ever had a blood clot in a blood vessel of your legs such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• have or have ever had a blood clot in your lungs such as pulmonary embolus (PE) or in other organs
• know you have a disorder affecting your blood from clotting
• need an operation or if you are off your feet for a long time
• have ever had a heart attack or stroke
• have or have ever had angina pectoris (a condition that causes severe chest pain)
• have severe diabetes with blood vessel damage
• have very high blood pressure
• have high levels of fat in the blood such as cholesterol or triglycerides
• have a condition known as hyperhomocysteinaemia
• have or have ever had a type of migraine called migraine with aura
• have ever had breast cancer
• have or have recently had a severe liver disease
• have ever had a liver tumour
• are pregnant or might be pregnant or are breastfeeding
• are allergic to any of the ingredients in Logynon
• have hepatitis C and are taking medication

Logynon and other medications

Some medications can interfere with Logynon and stop it from working properly. You should let your doctor know if you are taking any medications for the following:

• epilepsy
• HIV infection
• Hepatitis C
• other infectious diseases
• high blood pressure or blood vessels in the lung
• depressive moods

Let your doctor know before taking Logynon if you are or are going to take any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications, including St John’s wort.

There are many alternative contraceptive pills and methods available if Logynon is not right for you.

If you prefer a standard combined pill that does not have changing hormone levels, you can try a pill like Microgynon 30.

The mini pill, or progesterone-only pill, is just as effective as a combined pill. If you cannot take oestrogen-containing products, the mini pill may be a perfect alternative for you.

You do not need to take a pill-free break with the mini pill as you will continuously take a pill every day in each 28-day cycle. ZAVA has a wide range of progesterone-only pills, including Cerelle.

There are several other types of contraceptive methods, including:

• patches
• the implant
• the coil

➤ Our guide on types of contraception explains these methods in detail to help you make the right choice for yourself.

Logynon vs Microgynon

Logynon and Microgynon are both examples of combined oral contraceptive pills, but they work in slightly different ways. Microgynon is a monophasic pill which means it contains the same amount of hormones in each pill. It is taken every day for 21 days, followed by a 7-day break.

Logynon, however, is a triphasic pill which means it contains 3 different amounts of hormones throughout the 21-day pack. The different phases mimic the natural hormone levels in your menstrual cycle. Logynon is also taken every day for 21 days before having a 7-day pill-free break.