What is Mercilon?
Mercilon is a contraceptive taken orally to prevent pregnancy. It has two active ingredients – Ethinylestradiol and desogestrel. Being a monophasic combined pill means that each pill has the same dose of each of these ingredients. These ingredients work by preventing ovulation during a woman’s menstrual cycle. Mercilon has a low dose of Ethinylestradiol and desogestrel, which makes it suitable for women who are most likely to react to high-dose pills.
How Does Mercilon Work?
Mercilon helps to prevent ovulation, which subsequently blocks the production of eggs. It also leads to the building up of mucus in the cervix, thus blocking sperms from getting to the uterus. It also helps thin your uterus lining and makes it difficult for an egg that has been fertilized to be embedded into the wall of the uterus.
What it Treats
- Prevents pregnancy.
- Reduces acne
- Protects against fibroids, pelvic inflammations, and ovarian cyst
Mercinon might not be the best option for you if you are:
- Are allergic to any of its ingredients
- Have angina pectoris
- Have severe migraines or diabetes
- Have a history of breast cancer stroke or heart attack
- Unexplained vaginal bleeding
- Have impaired liver function
- Have high blood pressure
- Have or have had a blood clot or blood clotting disorder
- Your blood has high lipid levels.
- Have diabetes, sickle cell anaemia, or inflammatory bowel disease.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
It is also not suitable if you have any of the following conditions:
- Crohn’s disease
- Severe depression
- Varicose veins
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Chloasma
- Herpes gestation
- Sydenham’s chorea
- Migraines
- Pancreatitis
- Gall bladder disease
- Kidney failure, Otosclerosis
- Swollen veins
Consult your doctor to see if you have any other condition that might prevent you from using Levest as a preferred contraceptive. More information can be found in the Patient Information Leaflet.
There are 21 pills in a pack of Mercilon.
- Take a pill every day for the next 21 days.
- Swallow it with water.
- Try taking your pills at around the same time each day.
- You can then take a 7-day pill-free break once you are done with the 21 pills.
- Expect a withdrawal bleed during this break.
- Start a new pack of Mercilon after the 7-day break.
