Women Using Seasonale Need To Undergo Periodic Breast Examinations

Seasonale General Information

Generic Name: Levonorgestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol

Brand Name: Jolessa and Seasonale

Seasonale is a birth control pill and it combines the actions of two hormones, estrogen and progesterone.

Seasonale Uses

Seasonale is used to prevent pregnancy. The medication prevents the formation of egg and works by thickening the mucus in the cervix and by bringing about changes in the uterine lining.

How Take Seasonale

Seasonale is an oral medication and it can be taken with or without food. But if an individual experiences a stomach irritation, then he might choose to take it with food. The tablet should not be removed from the blister packaging unless it is time to use it. One should start taking Seasonale on the first Sunday after her period has started. If the period starts on Sunday, then it should be taken on that very day. Similar timings should be maintained while taking each dose per day. After taking the last pill from the pack, a new pack should be started on the next day. Doses should not be skipped even if an individual is not having sex frequently.

Seasonale Warnings

The medication comes with certain risks. Dizziness caused by this medication is enhanced if taken with alcohol. One should refrain from smoking while using this drug as it increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure and blood clots. During the first seven days, the medication might not provide adequate protection and so backup birth control methods like condoms might be needed. Bleeding and spotting during the medication’s use have been observed. But if this continues for more than seven days, then one needs to consult a doctor. Seasonale also affects the blood glucose levels and so diabetes patients need to check with their doctor regarding a dose adjustment. Women who need to undergo a surgery might have to stop the use of this medicine for sometime. Dark patches can also form in the skin and so one should avoid a sunburn or exposure to artificial UB light. The medicine involves a risk of breast cancer and so women need to undergo periodic breast examinations alongside other lab tests like lab test, physicals and blood pressure.

Seasonale Missed Dose

 If one dose of Seasonale gets missed, then it should be taken on the next scheduled time. This implies that a woman has to take two doses on the same day. Missing a single pill in a day does not have to be backed up by the use of additional birth control measures. But an individual needs to consult her doctor if she misses more than one dose.

Seasonale Side Effects

Some of the common side effects of this medication include breast tenderness and enlargement, loss of scalp hair, vaginal spotting, nausea, headache, weight changes, stomach cramps or bloating, acne breakouts, vaginal bleeding, dizziness and nervousness. But many women have reported severe side effects like vision changes, vaginal irritation and change in secretion, coughing of blood, calf or leg pain, swelling of hands, legs or ankles, absent menstrual period and signs of breast cancer like formation of lumps and discharge.

Seasonale Storage

The medication is to be stored at room temperature, between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius. It should be kept away from heat, light and moisture. It should not be stored in the bathroom. It should be kept in places unreachable by children and pets.

Seasonale Overdose

A Seasonale overdose should be reported to the local poison control center or to the emergency room. Symptoms like nausea and vaginal bleeding have been observed in cases of Seasonale overdose.

Seasonale More Information

Children who have not had their first menstrual period should not use this medication as the safety and effectiveness of this drug has not been found out. If a woman experiences symptoms of morning sickness, breast tenderness or if she misses a period, then she needs to undergo a test as she might be pregnant. Pregnant women should not take this medication. Seasonale is found in breast milk and it can harm a nursing baby.