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

Serious, but less common, health risks can be:

• Blood clots in legs, lungs, heart or brain
• Stroke
• Heart attacks
• Possibly cervical cancer

BirthControlBuzz is a service company that provides birth control prices, birth control types (prescription required), health administrative services, and birth control statistics predominantly to US patients seeking to purchase birth control on-line.

For more information, call 1-866-868-8850 or visit http://www.birthcontrolbuzz.com/.

Birth Control Buzz is a service company that provides birth control prices, types of birth control(prescription required), health administrative services, and birth control statistics predominantly to US patients seeking to purchase pharmaceuticals on-line. For more information, call 1-866-868-8850 or visit http://www.birthcontrolbuzz.com/.