Alesse Review–A monophasic birth control pills review
Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol, known as Alesse, is an effective birth control method. It’s a combination (has both estrogen and progeterone) oral contraceptive. The hormone levels in Alesse prevent ovulation and change the uterus so that eggs have extreme difficulty implanting. The drug is also marketed under a few different brands including: Aviane, Levlite, Levlen, Levota, Tri-leven, Triphasil, Trivora and Triphasil-28.
What’s the difference in brands
Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol are the synthetic hormones used in Alesse 28 and some other brands. Levonorgestrel is the estrogen and Ethinyl Estradiol is the progestin. Even though other brands have the same hormones, they can affect the body differently. The difference is the dosages vary form brand to brand and if the birth control pill is triphasic, biphasic or monophasic. If you are to switch between brands thinking they are the same, you might be surprised by the way the new brand interacts with your body. Your doctor’s consultation is recommended.
What are multiphasic oral contraceptives?
Combination birth control pills contain both estrogen and progestin and they are multiphasic or monophasic. A monophasic pill, like Alesse, will have the same dosage for the first 21 pills. The other 7 pills (of 28) are inert and are there to maintain the habit of taking them regularly. In multiphasic pills the dosage of progestin changes during the 21 days. Estrogen levels in multiphasic (this includes bi and tri-phasic) pills remain fixed. In biphasic pills there are two different levels of progestin and in triphasic there are 3. Oral Contraceptives that vary the progestin hormone levels usually manage side effects better than monophasic pills.
What you should know
Women who are pregnant should not take any hormonal oral contraceptives as well as recent mothers. medical conditions like heart problems, blood clots or circulatory problems related to diabetes, uterine or breast cancer (cancers related to hormones), high blood pressure, abnormal menstrual bleeding and liver problems is also advised to avoid Alesse 28. Also, smokers especially if they are over the age of 35 should avoid hormonal contraceptives.
When starting out using any birth control pill, it’s a good idea to use another form of birth control such as condoms or a spermicidal cream as a backup. Your doctor can give specific information as to how long to use a back up plan before relying on the contraceptive pill alone.
