Mircette / Mercilon / Feminet (desogestrel + ethinylestradiol) is a combined oral contraceptive. It delivers two types of female sex hormones, estrogen, and progesterone. These hormones prevent an egg being released from the ovaries and also thickens the mucus in the cervix, which makes it harder for sperm to enter the womb and fertilize any egg that has been released.
Dosage
Follow the instructions from the prescribing doctor. Each Feminet box supplies strips containing a total of 21 pills, each marked with a day of the week. Start on the first day of menstruation by taking a pill marked with the same day of the week.
Take one pill at the same time every day, following the direction of the arrows on the strip, until all 21 pills have been taken after three weeks. Swallow each pill whole, with water if necessary.
After 21 days, there is a break of 7 days, and the cycle recommences on the 29th day — the same day of the week as day one. A bleed should start early in the seven-day gap while pills are not being taken. As long as Mercilon has been taken correctly, each new strip should be started on the same day of the week.
Do not chew or crush the pills.
This text is for informational purposes only. Please consult a doctor or pharmacist before using any medication.
Read the information leaflet that comes with the medication.
If after taking Mercilon a sudden allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) occurs, with symptoms like swelling of the face, tongue or throat making it difficult to breathe or swallow, or there is wheezing, hives, rash, blistering or peeling of the skin, call a doctor or 911 right away, or go to an emergency room immediately.
Most people who use Mircette do not experience any negative side effects. Doctors prescribe Mercilon because they assess that the benefits that such treatment yields outweighs any likely unwanted effects.
Some of the side effects that have been reported include:
- Headache
- Putting on weight
- Breast problems, such as painful or tender breasts
- Depression or mood changes
- Stomach problems, such as nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Problems with menstruation
- irregular menstruation
- absence of menstruation
- pain during menstruation
There are some more serious but rare risks. If any of the following symptoms appear, consult a doctor at once:
- Signs of deep vein thrombosis, which may include swelling of one leg or along a vein in the leg or foot, especially when accompanied by:
- pain or tenderness in the legs, which may be felt mainly when standing or walking
- increased warmth in the affected leg
- change in color of the skin on the leg (e.g., turning pale, red, or blue).
- Signs of a pulmonary embolism, including:
- sudden unexplained breathlessness or rapid breathing
- a sudden cough without an obvious cause, which may bring up blood
- sharp chest pains which may increase with deep breathing
- severe light-headedness or dizziness
- rapid or irregular heartbeat
- severe pain in the stomach.
Not all side effects are listed here. If these or other unlisted symptoms persist or worsen, consult a healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Mercilon / Feminet are birth control pills that help regulate estrogen and progesterone levels in the body.
Estrogen plays a role in controlling the menstrual cycle. By boosting estrogen levels, Mercilon helps by keeping the uterine lining consistent. This prevents buildup of the lining, and results in more regular periods. By stabilizing the lining, estrogen can also help reduce cramps, making periods easier to manage.
Mercilon assists in keeping cycles regular, ensuring stable bleeding patterns.
Progesterone is essential for preventing pregnancy, as it inhibits ovulation and thickens cervical mucus. This creates a barrier that hinders sperm from reaching an egg released during ovulation. Mercilon contains both estrogen and progesterone to regulate the cycle effectively and ensure contraceptive protection.
Important Information Regarding Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT):
HRT medications are powerful tools for managing hormonal changes. To ensure the medication’s safety and effectiveness, it’s important to understand who can benefit from it most. According to Israeli Ministry of Health regulations, Mercilon can currently only be prescribed for individuals assigned as female at birth.