Lestrin is an oral contraceptive, classified as a combined birth control pill due to the fact that it is based on two active ingredients, ethinylestradiol and norethisterone which are the synthetic bioequivalents to naturally-synthesised sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone respectively. Developed and marketed in the UK by Galen Pharmaceuticals pharmaceutical company, Loestrin is highly adept contraceptive pill available in two different strengths and able to prevent unwanted pregnancy in 99% of cases.
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How reliable is Loestrin?
Loestrin is advertised as 99% efficient in preventing unwanted pregnancy, just like a majority of other birth control pills. However, as a combined contraceptive pill, Loestrin is somewhat more reliable than progesterone-only mini-pills. When used properly, it should, for all intends and purposes, completely eliminate risk of unwanted pregnancy, but 100% protection cannot be advertised due to risk of certain unforeseen circumstances or maybe unidentified conditions which can potentially impair the function of Loestrin pills.
However, there are also a number of identified medications and remedies which can adversely affect the efficiency of these birth control pills. So, in order to ensure maximum level of protection, you should pay special attention and if you have to take any of the following, be sure to use barrier contraception in case Loestrin efficiency has been compromised:
- Epilepsy medications
- Barbiturates
- HIV or AIDS treatments
- Antibiotics
- Antifungal medications
- St John’s wort
How do contraceptive pills work?
Hormonal birth control pills all rely on synthetic, man-made versions of naturally-occurring sex hormones, progesterone and oestrogen. The active ingredients of Loestrin, ethinylestradiol and norethisterone, will effectively mimic the natural hormones and via that mechanism of action, they will interfere with the natural processes related to menstrual cycle, but also to various preparations for pregnancy that female body goes through during every cycle, regardless of whether conception will actually take place. However, the aforementioned sex hormones play different roles in the female body and as such, the compounds mimicking them will act to decrease the chances of unwanted pregnancy in different ways.
Why is progesterone important for pregnancy?
Naturally occurring progesterone is absolutely crucial in timing and triggering ovulation, the process during which an egg cell is released by the ovaries to the fallopian tubes where it can get fertilised by sperm. If the conception takes place, the fertilised egg cell will travel to the womb and implant into the uterine wall where it will continue to develop. With this in mind, it comes as no surprise that synthetic progesterone acts by tricking the body into wrongly detecting that the ovulation had already taken place, thus preventing the ovaries from releasing egg cells.
The role of oestrogen in the menstrual cycle
On the other hand, synthetic oestrogen will provide additional protection in case the primary one, stemming from synthetic progesterone. It will contribute to the thickening of the cervical fluids and changes in the conditions alongside the uterine wall. These processes will help prevent unwanted pregnancy in different ways – the change in consistency of cervical fluids will make it harder for the sperm to reach the egg cell and the changes in the uterus will make it less likely for the fertilised egg cell to implant.
Can I buy Loestrin online in the UK?
Yes, it is possible to buy Loestrin online in the UK. While contraceptive pills might have been a bit of a taboo once, today they are a part of regular offer of numerous online clinics and pharmacies operating within the UK, so buying them online is easier and safer than ever before! However, you should keep in mind that just like all other contraceptive pills, Loestrin too is a prescription-only medicine and as such, it can be obtained only with a valid prescription issued by a certified medical professional. Luckily, this is no obstacle to getting Loestrin online.
However, what this means is that prior to confirming your order, the doctor employed at the online clinic of your choice will ask you to fill in a customised and detailed medical questionnaire that will then be used to assess your suitability for using this contraceptive pill. If the doctor determines you are suitable for using this medication, the prescription will be issued and used that very same moment to have the medication sent from the partner pharmacy to the address you provided during the process.
How to take Loestrin?
In order to ensure maximum efficiency and protection when using Loestrin, while at the same time decreasing the risk of experiencing any unwanted side effects, you should always take this birth control pill as instructed by your prescriber and in line with the guidelines that you can find in the official patient information leaflet that is issued within every pack of Loestrin. Below, we will provide you with some of the most general guidelines, but you should keep in mind that these are used only for illustrative purposes, to help you get a better understanding of what taking Loestrin might involve. The points below cannot be used as a substitute for the doctor’s instructions or the official guidelines which should always be your primary point of reference and that is true for any medication from this class that you might use (like Logynon for example).
- Always take exactly as instructed
- You should take one Loestrin pill daily at the same time each day over the period of 21 days
- Following these three weeks of treatment, you shouldn’t take any Loestrin in the fourth week
- After those seven days have passed, repeat the cycle
- On the strip containing the pills you will find arrows and other markings which should help you keep track of your treatment
- Please refer to the leaflet to learn when exactly should you start taking Loestrin
- If you miss a pill, never try to compensate by taking the double dose – instead refer to the information leaflet in order to learn how should you proceed
What are Loestrin side effects?
As is the case with all prescription medications, Loestrin also comes with a risk of certain side effects. While they certainly won’t manifest in everybody using this oral contraceptive, it is still important to get familiar with them prior to commencing treatment. By doing so, you will be able to successfully differentiate between those side effects which might be uncomfortable, but not really dangerous and those which will require you to stop taking Loestrin and seek immediate medical advice in case they manifest.
The latter group includes the symptoms of the following:
- Allergic reaction
- Breast cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Liver disease
- Blood clot
- Stroke
- Heart attack
In the information leaflet you can find more information on how to recognise the signs and symptoms of the aforementioned complications.
Other documented side effects, belonging to the former group include:
- Vaginal infections
- High blood pressure
- Mood swings
- General malaise
- Stomach cramps
- Weight fluctuations
- Jaundice
- Headaches
- Breast pain or tenderness
- Eye and sight problems
- Problems with digesting carbohydrates
Please note that this is not a complete list of all documented side effects. For a more comprehensive overview, please refer to the official patient information leaflet that is issued within every pack of Loestrin birth control pills.
