Facts about Oral Contraceptives, especially Alesse

Pregnancy cannot occur if ovulation (release of an egg) does not occur and it is this function in a woman's body that Alesse prevents. Pregnancy is also impossible if sperm cannot REACH the egg should one be released from the ovary. Alesse makes it harder for the sperm to get to an egg by thickening the mucous lining of the cervix , making it difficult for the little 'swimmer' to travel onwards. At the same time, Alesse thins the uterine lining which, in the unlikely event of fertilization taking place, makes it difficult for any fertilised egg to implant in a woman's womb and develop there. Levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol are the active, generic ingredients found in Alesse.

Safety Measures to follow when taking Alesse

Use 'back up' (spermicide and a condom) to begin with if this is your first course of Alesse. Do not take Alesse if you are knowingly pregnant or think you may be (eg. you have missed two consecutive periods in the same month) Some birth defects have been linked to oral contraceptives. Do not use Alesse if you have recently had a baby and you are currently breastfeeding (medications of all kinds can be passed through your milk to your baby and may be harmful) Some women report a slowing down in the actual production of breast milk. Do not use Alesse if you have experienced any problems with high blood pressure, blood clots, stroke or suffer any issues with your circulation. Do not use Alesse if you have liver disease of any kind, hormone-related cancers, or migraines

ALERT

Always discuss your medical history with your medical practitioner if you are wishing to take Alesse and remember to tell him/her about ALL other 'over the counter' pills, such as vitamins, that you are currently using.

What is the dose of Alesse?

You take one Alesse pill each day, preferably at the same time - irregularity in the taking of Alesse will increase your risk of getting pregnant.

Always use Alesse according to the dose prescribed by your doctor and never take it upon yourself to change this or take more, without consulting him/her first! Some slight bleeding initially is no cause for undue concern but if the bleeding is heavy or other side effects persist, especially after the first 3 months, you should report to your doctor.

Regular monitoring with your doctor when taking Alesse

As your body gets used to taking a new medication, do not think that you do not need to keep up your regular appointments with your doctor. All changes in lifestyle can affect how our body reacts so be sensible and be aware of the differences between 'normal' and abnormal reactions that may be solely due to your medications. Especially those of you who may be due for surgery or to undergo some medical tests, please let the treating surgeon or doctor know you are taking Alesse. You may find that you just have to stop taking an oral contraceptive for a little while prior to or following the procedure.

Allergic Reaction

Allergic reactions usually occur quite quickly so please get straight to a doctor if you turn out to be one of the few women who cannot take Alesse. If you experience any of the following, see your doctor at once:

Confusion
Eye problems, headaches or severe migraines
Balance and speech problems,
Chest pains, nausea, depression
Swelling of the feet, ankles and hands

Minor side effects that allow you to continue taking Alesse

You may or may not be affected by one or two of the symptoms below- everyone reacts differently to medications and has different 'tolerance' levels with reactions. Here are some reported side effects but don't be alarmed and expect to get them all, remember, every body is different:

Breast tenderness
Freckles, skin darkening, bloating
Vomiting, mild nausea, stomach cramps
Increased hair growth, weight changes
Vaginal itching
Nervousness

As with all medications, even vitamins, talk to your doctor if you are feeling worse each month or you just cannot suffer a particular symptom any longer.

Source: http://www.drugs.com/mtm/alesse.html

Carole Pemberton is committed to researching and presenting the latest information on contraceptives, including Alesse to empower teenagers and women to experience their sexuality and knowledgeably manage their birth control.