Seasonique birth control pill.
The extended-cycle formulation of Seasonique has a 91-day treatment cycle, resulting in 4 menstrual periods per year.
Seasonique prevents ovulation, therefore preventing the possibility of pregnancy. It may also inhibit pregnancy by causing the cervical mucous to thicken, which makes it harder for sperm to move toward the uterus, and reducing the likelihood of attachment of a fertilized egg to the uterus.
How do I take Seasonique?
Take the first pill of your package on the first Sunday after your period begins, even if you are still bleeding. If your period starts on Sunday, take the first birth control pill that day. Use another form of birth control anytime you have sex for the first 7 days you take the pills. Take one Seasonique every day at the same time, no more than 24 hours after the last dose. Try to take the pills at a time that you will remember every day; just before bed, with a meal, or first thing in the morning. Taking the pill at night may help to reduce nausea or headache, which may be side effects. Your period should occur during the 7 days you are taking the white pills (these are "reminder" pills and do not contain hormones***). If you don't get your period, have a pregnancy test before beginning a new package of pills. After taking the last white pill from a pack, start a new pack the very next day. Do not skip any days.
***Correction 03/06/08 : The "reminder" pills contain 0.01 mg of ethinyl estradiol. Thank you to the reader who caught my mistake.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
If you miss one pill, take it as soon as you remember or take two pills at the time of your next regularly scheduled dose. There is little likelihood that ovulation will occur. If you miss two pills in a row, take two pills each for the next two regularly scheduled doses (one missed pill plus one regularly scheduled pill for 2 days in a row). There is an increased chance of ovulation and unintended pregnancy. Use an additional form of birth control until you have taken a pill for 7 days in a row. If you miss three pills in a row, do not remove the missed pills from the package, they will not be taken. Take the next pill in the package for the current day. Continue to take one pill per day until the cycle is completed. There is an increased chance of ovulation and unintended pregnancy. Use an additional form of birth control until you have taken a pill for 7 days in a row. You may experience menstrual bleeding during the week following the missed pills. If you miss any of the 7 white inactive pills, they can be thrown out. Keep taking your scheduled pills until the pack is finished. No back-up method of birth control is required.
Should I avoid anything while taking Seasonique?
Try to avoid smoking cigarettes while taking Seasonique. Smoking greatly increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and blood clot formation. Remember that birth control pills will not protect you from HIV, AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases. Always use a back-up method of birth control, like a condom.
Are there any drugs that can interact with Seasonique?
Many other drugs may interact with Seasonique. Some interactions (e.g. with certain antibiotics, protease inhibitors, and other medications) may result in decreased effectiveness of the medication and therefore increase the risk of unintended pregnancy. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medications, including herbal products, while taking Seasonique.
Does Seasonique have any side effects?
Common side effects for Seasonique can be:
- Weight gain
- Nausea and vomiting (felt for the first few cycles)
- Dizziness
- Increase or decrease in acne
- Headaches
- High blood pressure
- Loss of libido
- Depression
- Vaginal infections
- Blood clots in legs, lungs, heart or brain
- Stroke
- Heart attacks
- Possibly cervical cancer
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posted by BirthControlBuzz @ 8:36 AM
25 Comments:
I just began taking Seasonique about 4 weeks ago. Already, I have benefited from a major decrease in my adult acne. :)
I am just getting on BC and am getting married soon. Is it ok for me to start taking the medication now or do i have to wait until the sunday after my next cycle?
anon #2 - according to my sources you should take the first pill on the first Sunday after your period begins, even if you are still bleeding. If your period starts on Sunday, take the first birth control pill that day. Use a condome anytime you have sex for the first 7 days you take the pills.
Ok My doctor said to start taking seasonique after im done with my other pills which ment I started taking seasonique on WeD. I start my peroid Friday, I just read that i shouldnt have taken them untill sunday. What should i do.
Sorry but I'm not going to be much help. My suggestion would be to call your doctor and get her/him to clarify the directions.
will marijuana increase risks like cigarettes do?
I recently started birth control last week, and I was told by my doctor to take it on the sunday after I start my period (like everyone is told). I didn't start my period before Sunday, but started on Monday, but I needed the effectivness as soon as possible, so I took it anyway on Sunday even though I didn't start my period yet. Was there any harm in doing this? I am currently on day 6 of my period, and this is not normal for how long my cycle is usually. I am wondering if something happend! Please help!
Your information about Seasonique is wrong on this web site. The last row of pills DO contain hormones in them. 0.01 mg of ethinyl estradiol. A very low dose to help with pms symptoms and for a shorter pill period.it is SEASONALE that does not contain hormones in the last pill row. Just wanted your readers to get the correct information.
You are right. Thanks for noticing! I'll make the correction today.
I've been taking seasonique for 3 weeks now. I can already feel some side effects. The first one I noticed was intense breast tenderness, but its getting better with time. The second was nausea. If I don't eat as soon as I get up in the morning, I get very nauseas. I'm hoping that this will go away as well... does anyone else have the same problems?
I've been on seasonique for a year and a half and love it. But I had my first problem this week: I have one more week of pills (not including the white pills) and I got my period today! Is there any harm in skipping my last week of pills and going straight into the white pills?
Dear Anonymous, it is recommended that you stay on your regular regime. Breakthrough bleeding can sometimes occur but if it persists you should follow up with your primary care physician.
Also, if you have taken certain kinds of drugs or supplements it could cause breakthrough bleeding.
Paul Zickler MD,
Birth Control Buzz
My DR said to start taking the pill on the 3rd day of bleeding but after reading everything I am not sure what to do. It would mean taking them on wednesday. thoughts?
Starting on the 3rd day of bleeding? I've never heard that before, but your doctor must have a reason for suggesting this. So start on the 3rd day, but in the meantime call your doctor's office and ask why.
There's no harm in finding out more information - it is your body.
I have been on Seasonique for 9 months now. I did want to have a period when I was suppose to becasue of the wk end. so I skipped the reminder pills and just started the next three month pack when I should of been taking the reminder pills. I have done that in the past with regualr bc pills will this cause any harm since i havent' had a period in three months so now it will be 6 months before I have one
This is only my second month taking Seasonique, and while it did stop my period for one month, it seems the entire time I have had some breakthrough bleeding each day such that I have to wear a liner every day. Does anyone else have similar symptoms?
i have just started using seasonique and my doctor told me to start the day my period starts, it started on a sunday so i took the pill, now its been three weeks later, and im still bleeding...i do not get it? i know my body has to adjust but would it be better to just stop taking it til i stop bleeding then pick it back up? because it seems like im gettin no relief from bleeding, i constantly have to have a panty liner or tampon in....help please!
**Do not stop taking your pill.** Spotting (light bleeding) is a common side effect when you first start using the pill - some women experience spotting even if they've been taking OC's for years - but it seems like you know this already.
I think you have nothing to worry about, but you sound concerned, so make an appointment to see your doctor and see what he/she has to say.
:) Hopefully this helps
okay i have a question about the pills or seasonique in particular:
i'm going on vacation with my friend july 18th. if i started the pill as soon as i could...would it prevent my period from happening? (my period should start around july18-20)
basically i want to know if the pill could take effect that fast, i know dealing with pregnancy it usually takes about a month or whatever, but what about with periods?
anyone?
thanks!
Is this your first time taking the pill? If so, you're supposed to take it the first Sunday after your period has already started...which might mean you're outta luck for not having a period on vacation.
yes this is the first time i am taking the pill.
my period is usually all over the place. sometimes skipping a month or not. it's very unpredictable.
i just read about seasonique and saw that you're not supposed to get the period until around the last week of the third month.
that's why i was hoping, if i started it early enough, my body might recognize it and put it off! haha
i guess i am out of luck then eh?
I used to play with the start date of my pill all the time (before I was sexually active and just taking it to regulate my period). But I can't recommend that for you - So why not call your doctor's office and see what they say about starting it early?
You never know, you just may be able to enjoy that vacation after all! Lol!
Good luck!
Hi,
I'm new to Seasonique, I'm on my second week taking it. I'm taking it because I suffer from severe migraine headaches a few days before, all the way through and a few days after my cycle. So this is supposed to help me by only getting 4 a year. My question is, does anyone else get really dizzy from it? I'm going to call my doctor tomorrow but thought to check out a few websites first. Tonight was the worst so far. I just need to know if it will go away. Thanks for any help.
I am just starting Seasonique, and I was wondering how long into the pills i have to be before it will start preventing pregnancy. Like could i have sex on my first day with the pill and be safe? Or do i have to wait...a week? a few days?
Help would be appreciated. =]
Your body needs time to adjust to the pill - usually about two weeks to a month - so to be on the safe side use a condom and spermicide.
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