Marvelon Tablets

Marvelon is a hormonal birth control pill that contains the synthetic female sex hormones oestrogen and progestin. It works by preventing ovulation, which means it stops the ovaries from releasing an egg each month. The hormones in Marvelon Tablets also thicken cervical mucus to help block sperm from reaching an egg. Marvelon is considered a low-dose oral contraceptive because it contains relatively low doses of oestrogen and progestin compared to some other birth control pills.

Oestrogen and progestin are the two main hormones in combined oral contraceptive pills like Marvelon. They both work together to stop the body from becoming pregnant.

• Oestrogen: This hormone helps stabilise the uterine lining and prevent overgrowth. It thickens cervical mucus to prevent sperm from reaching an egg. Oestrogen also suppresses follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) to inhibit ovulation.

• Progestin – a synthetic hormone also thickens cervical mucus to block sperm. It suppresses luteinising hormone (LH) to further prevent ovulation. Progestin causes the uterine lining to thin, which stops an egg becoming fertilised.

In combination, these two hormones work together to prevent pregnancy in three ways, stopping ovulation, thickening cervical mucus and thinning the uterine lining.

By disrupting the menstrual cycle and ovulation in these ways, combined oral contraceptives like Marvelon provide effective pregnancy prevention when taken properly. The hormones stop egg release and create barriers to prevent fertilisation.

Marvelon comes in packs of 21 pills. Each pill is marked with the day of the week it should be taken. Marvelon Tablets are to be taken orally.

• Take 1 pill every day at the same time.
• Start with the pill marked for the correct day of the week.
• Follow the arrows on the pack to take the pills in order.
• Swallow each pill whole with water if needed. Do not chew the pills.

After taking the 21 pills, you will have 7 pill-free days. For example, if you take the last pill on a Friday, start the new pack on the next Saturday.

During the pill-free week, you will likely have withdrawal bleeding, like a period. This may still be going on when it’s time to start the new pack, but don’t worry as this is normal.

You don’t need backup contraception during the 7 break days if you took the previous packet correctly.

Start the new packet on time after the break, even if you are still bleeding. You should start each new pack on the same day of the week. If you take Marvelon correctly, you will be greatly protected against pregnancy.

You can find the directions for use in the patient information leaflet.

You should not use Marvelon if you have any of the following conditions. Tell your GP or pharmacist if you have any of these, as they can make changes to the type of contraception you are prescribed: 

• Blood clots in the legs, lungs, or other organs now or in the past
• High blood pressure
• Known blood clotting disorders
• Upcoming surgery or long periods of limited mobility
• Past heart attack or stroke
• Diabetes
• Migraines with aura
• History of severe liver disease
• Past liver tumour
• Known or suspected pregnancy
• High cholesterol
• Hormone-sensitive cancers like breast, uterine, or ovarian
• Unexplained vaginal bleeding
• Allergic to any Marvelon ingredients

It’s important for your health and wellbeing that you do not take any Marvelon Tablets if you have any of these conditions.

For more information, speak to a medical professional, or see the patient information leaflet.

You can purchase Marvelon Tablets from registered online pharmacies such as e-Surgery. Choose how many you’d like to receive and whether it’s a onetime purchase or a repeat prescription, which saves you money on each order. You will then be asked to fill in a short consultation and one of our clinical team will be on hand to verify your details and issue your purchase if deemed suitable.

It’s important to follow the instructions given to you by your prescriber and from the patient information leaflet about how you should store the Marvelon Tablets.

You should:

• Keep Marvelon Tablets out of the reach and sight of children.
• Do not use this medication past the expiration date printed on the packaging. The expiration refers to the last day of that month.
• Store Marvelon Tablets at room temperature below 25°C, away from moisture and direct light. Keep it in the original package.
• Do not dispose of Marvelon Tablets in normal household bins or down the drain. Ask your pharmacist how you should throw them away, minimising harm to the environment.

Marvelon may cause side effects, though not everyone experiences them. How medication affects each person varies. 

Common side effects can include:

• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Headaches
• Breast tenderness
• Light bleeding or spotting between periods, especially in the first few months
• Lighter periods or missed periods
• Mood changes

Side effects can vary, as each person’s body may react differently depending on age, gender or medical history. If you are worried that the side effects are worsening or persisting over a long period of time, consult your GP or pharmacist.

Yes, all medication purchased through e-Surgery requires a prescription from one of our medical professionals. This is the same no matter where you purchase your medications from. At e-Surgery we’ve made the process of consultation as smooth and efficient as possible for our patients, making access to the healthcare they need, hassle free.

e-Surgery uses Royal Mail delivery with choices starting from Royal mail 48 tracked delivery, Royal Mail tracked 24 and Royal Mail 1 pm special delivery (discover more about e-Surgery delivery). When you order Marvelon Tablets online, they will arrive in discreet, recyclable packaging at a delivery address of your choice.

You must be at least 18 years old to order Marvelon Tablets online through e-Surgery or any registered pharmacy. This is because of the potential side effects that the medication could have on your body. You should only take medication that has been prescribed to you by a medical professional.