Microgynon 30 ED
"A highly effective combined contraceptive pill you take every day, to make it easier to remember. Contains the hormones ethinylestradiol (oestrogen) and levonorgestrel (progesterone). You’ll need an annual blood pressure and weight check to take this medication."
What is Microgynon 30 ED?
Microgynon 30 ED is a combined contraceptive pill you take every day. To help you remember to do this, it contains a 3-week supply of ‘active’ pills and a 1 week of larger ‘inactive’ pills that have no active ingredients.
How does it work?
Microgynon ED active pills contain two hormones, ethinylestradiol (oestrogen) and levonorgestrel (progesterone) which work to:
- Stop your ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation).
- Thicken the mucus in your cervix to make it harder for sperm to reach an egg.
- Thin the lining of the womb, so an egg is less likely to implant itself.
The inactive pills are placebo pills that contain no hormones. They just help you to continue the daily routine of taking a pill.
How to use Microgynon 30 ED
The Microgynon ED pack contains a 3-week supply of active pills, as well as 1 week of larger inactive pills (containing no active ingredients). This means you’re taking a pill every day, which makes it easier to remember for some women.
Take 1 active pill every day at the same time for 21 days. Starting the next day, take 1 inactive pill every day for 7 days. You may have a period during this week.
Effectiveness
If taken correctly, the Microgynon 30 ED contraceptive pill is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. In cases where it’s not taken exactly as prescribed, it can lead to pregnancy for around 9 out of 100 women. So it’s important to follow advice and instructions.
If you’re vomiting or have severe diarrhoea while taking this pill, you may not be protected against pregnancy. If you can have sex, use condoms along with continuing to take the pill as usual. If the vomiting continues for more than 24 hours, follow the same steps as you would for a missed pill.
Important: you should only start taking Microgynon 30 ED if you’re certain you aren’t pregnant.
How long after taking Microgynon 30 ED are you protected?
If you start taking Microgynon 30 ED on days 1-5 of your period, this should give you immediate protection against pregnancy.
However, if you start taking Microgynon 30 ED at another time in your cycle or if you have short or , you’ll need to use extra contraception like condoms for 7 days if you have sex. We’ll advise you on this during your online consultation.
Side effects of Microgynon 30 ED
It’s not common to get side effects from Microgynon 30 ED tablets, but for some women these can include mood swings, headaches, stomach pain or feeling sick.
This pill carries a slightly higher risk of blood clots than others. In rare cases some women will develop them.
For full details of side effects and correct use, please see the Microgynon 30 ED patient information leaflet. And if you’re worried about side effects, including blood clots, you can contact us in your Patient Record.
Product features
21 active pills then 7 inactive pills you take daily without a break
99% effective in preventing pregnancy, when taken correctly
Can make periods lighter and less painful
What is Microgynon 30 ED?
Microgynon 30 ED is a combined contraceptive pill you take every day. To help you remember to do this, it contains a 3-week supply of ‘active’ pills and a 1 week of larger ‘inactive’ pills that have no active ingredients.
How does it work?
Microgynon ED active pills contain two hormones, ethinylestradiol (oestrogen) and levonorgestrel (progesterone) which work to:
- Stop your ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation).
- Thicken the mucus in your cervix to make it harder for sperm to reach an egg.
- Thin the lining of the womb, so an egg is less likely to implant itself.
The inactive pills are placebo pills that contain no hormones. They just help you to continue the daily routine of taking a pill.
How to use Microgynon 30 ED
The Microgynon ED pack contains a 3-week supply of active pills, as well as 1 week of larger inactive pills (containing no active ingredients). This means you’re taking a pill every day, which makes it easier to remember for some women.
Take 1 active pill every day at the same time for 21 days. Starting the next day, take 1 inactive pill every day for 7 days. You may have a period during this week.
Effectiveness
If taken correctly, the Microgynon 30 ED contraceptive pill is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. In cases where it’s not taken exactly as prescribed, it can lead to pregnancy for around 9 out of 100 women. So it’s important to follow advice and instructions.
If you’re vomiting or have severe diarrhoea while taking this pill, you may not be protected against pregnancy. If you can have sex, use condoms along with continuing to take the pill as usual. If the vomiting continues for more than 24 hours, follow the same steps as you would for a missed pill.
Important: you should only start taking Microgynon 30 ED if you’re certain you aren’t pregnant.
How long after taking Microgynon 30 ED are you protected?
If you start taking Microgynon 30 ED on days 1-5 of your period, this should give you immediate protection against pregnancy.
However, if you start taking Microgynon 30 ED at another time in your cycle or if you have short or , you’ll need to use extra contraception like condoms for 7 days if you have sex. We’ll advise you on this during your online consultation.
Side effects of Microgynon 30 ED
It’s not common to get side effects from Microgynon 30 ED tablets, but for some women these can include mood swings, headaches, stomach pain or feeling sick.
This pill carries a slightly higher risk of blood clots than others. In rare cases some women will develop them.
For full details of side effects and correct use, please see the Microgynon 30 ED patient information leaflet. And if you’re worried about side effects, including blood clots, you can contact us in your Patient Record.
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Microgynon 30 ED FAQs
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How long does Microgynon 30 ED take to work?
If you start taking Microgynon 30 ED on days 1-5 of your period, this should give you immediate protection against pregnancy.
However, if you start taking Microgynon 30 ED after day one and or if you have a short or irregular menstrual cycle, you’ll need to use extra contraception like condoms for 7 days if you have sex. We’ll advise you on this during your online consultation.
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Does Microgynon 30 ED stop periods?
Microgynon 30 ED can make periods lighter and less painful. It’s possible to avoid having a period if you take 2 packets of the active Microgynon 30 ED pills back-to-back. Our clinicians can advise on delaying your period using contraceptive pills.
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Who can take Microgynon 30 ED?
You should talk to your clinician about alternative birth control options and not take Microgynon 30 ED if:
- You have, or have ever had, a blood clot in a blood vessel of your legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT), your lungs (pulmonary embolus, PE) or other organs.
- You have a blood clotting disorder.
- You have, or have ever had, a heart attack or stroke.
- You have very high blood pressure.
There are other instances where the pill is not suitable, and our clinicians can advise on this during your online consultation.
For more information about Microgynon 30 ED and underlying health conditions, read the patient information leaflet.
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Can I take Microgynon 30 ED while breastfeeding?
If you’re breastfeeding, we advise against taking Microgynon 30 ED for 6 weeks after giving birth. Combined contraceptives can reduce milk supply and may also put you at greater risk of blood clots.
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What if I miss my Microgynon 30 ED pill?
Missing your Microgynon 30 ED pill, on any one day, doesn’t compromise your protection against pregnancy. However, missing two or more pills or starting a new pack late could affect your contraceptive cover.
If you are less than 12 hours late with an active pill, take your next pill as soon as you remember. Then finish the rest of the pack as usual. This could mean taking two pills on certain days.
If you are more than 12 hours late with an active pill or you have missed more than one pill, take your next pill as soon as you remember. Then finish the rest of the pack as usual. This could mean taking two pills on certain days. Your contraception may be reduced, ensure you continue to take an active pill daily for the next seven days. Use extra contraception such as condoms for the next seven days.
If you have had sex in the past week, you may need emergency contraception. Our clinicians can prescribe emergency contraception, if it’s safe to do so.
If you miss an inactive pill, take is straight away and continue taking your pills as normal. Your contraception should not be reduced as these pills contain no active ingredients.
For full details of correct use and what to do if you miss a pill, please see the Microgynon 30 ED patient information leaflet. If you need more advice you can contact us in your Patient Record.
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Where can I buy Microgynon 30 ED?
As this pill is prescription only you’ll need to be approved by a clinician before you can buy the treatment, even if you’re using an online service.
We can prescribe Microgynon 30 ED for you online, for discreet home delivery or to pick up from your nearest Well Pharmacy. To make sure it’s safe for you, we'll ask you a few questions including your height, weight and blood pressure.
Start an online consultation. It’s completely confidential and only takes a few minutes.
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What to do if I get Microgynon 30 ED side effects
You should talk to your doctor if you get any side effects that you think are from taking Microgynon 30 ED, especially if they’re severe and persistent.
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Microgynon 30 ED warnings
Combined contraceptives can raise your blood pressure, which could be dangerous. So, it’s important to check your blood pressure before starting the treatment, then once a year after that.
As part of your consultation, we’ll ask you if you’ve had your blood pressure checked recently, or checked it yourself at home using a blood pressure monitor. This information is required before we can prescribe combined contraceptives like Microgynon 30 ED.
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Microgynon ED 30 drug interactions
You should be able to take Microgynon 30 ED alongside other medications. So that our clinicians can prescribe it safely, you’ll need to let us know which prescription, over-the-counter medicines and recreational drugs you’re taking regularly.
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Alternative Microgynon ED 30 contraception
A combined pill like Microgynon 30 ED is just one of a wide range of contraceptives we can advise you on and prescribe. These include NuvaRing, Evra Patch, the contraceptive injection, combined pills and progestogen only pills.
See our full contraception range here.
You can also get long-acting contraceptives through your GP or family planning clinic. These include the coil, implants, and contraceptive injections.
