Updated on 15/03/2018
Select a patient profile to find out why CERAZETTE may be a suitable contraceptive option.
Jessica is 32 years old and is currently taking a combined hormonal contraception (CHC). She has a body mass index (BMI) of 32 kg/m2 and has a family history of high cholesterol. Jessica is concerned about increased risks of myocardial infarction with CHC use.
Will an oestrogen-free contraceptive with efficacy comparable with a CHC be a better fit for Jessica?
UK Medical Eligibility Criteria (MEC) guidelines help clinicians decide what contraceptives they can safely recommend based on the medical conditions of patients in their care.
Condition | CHC | POP |
---|---|---|
Obesity | ||
a) ≥30-34 kg/m2 body mass index | 2 | 1 |
b) ≥35 kg/m2 body mass index | 3 | 1 |
UKMEC | DEFINITION OF CATEGORY |
---|---|
CATEGORY 1 | A condition for which there is no restriction for the use of the contraceptive method |
CATEGORY 2 | A condition where the advantages of using the method generally outweigh the theoretical or proven risks |
CATEGORY 3 | A condition where the theoretical or proven risks generally outweigh the advantages of using the method. The provision of a method requires expert clinical judgement and/or referral to a specialist contraceptive provider, since use of the method is not usually recommended unless other more appropriate methods are not available or not acceptable. |
CATEGORY 4 | A condition which represents an unacceptable health risk if the contraceptive method is used |
CHC: combined hormonal contraception; POP: progestogen-only pill.
Karen is 27 years old and is currently on a combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC). She suffers from debilitating migraines and is concerned it may be due to her birth-control pill.
Is CERAZETTE an option for women who want to minimise issues associated with oestrogen?
UK Medical Eligibility Criteria (MEC) guidelines help clinicians decide what contraceptives they can safely recommend based on the medical conditions of patients in their care.
Condition | CHC | POP | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Headaches | I | C | I | C |
a) Non-migrainous (mild or severe) | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
b) Migraine without aura, at any age | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
c) Migraine with aura, at any age | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
d) Past history (≥5 years ago) of migraine with aura, any age | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
C: continuation; I: initiation;
UKMEC | DEFINITION OF CATEGORY |
---|---|
CATEGORY 1 | A condition for which there is no restriction for the use of the contraceptive method |
CATEGORY 2 | A condition where the advantages of using the method generally outweigh the theoretical or proven risks |
CATEGORY 3 | A condition where the theoretical or proven risks generally outweigh the advantages of using the method. The provision of a method requires expert clinical judgement and/or referral to a specialist contraceptive provider, since use of the method is not usually recommended unless other more appropriate methods are not available or not acceptable. |
CATEGORY 4 | A condition which represents an unacceptable health risk if the contaceptive method is used |
CHC: combined hormonal contraception; POP: progestogen-only pill.
CHCs are contraindicated in women who have migraines with aura.11,12
Beth is 30 years old and has been smoking for over 12 years. She is currently taking an oral combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC) but she is concerned of increased risk of cardiac events.
Is there an oestrogen-free option that has been classified more favourably than CHCs for smokers?
UK Medical Eligibility Criteria (MEC) guidelines help clinicians decide what contraceptives they can safely recommend based on the medical conditions of patients in their care.
Condition | CHC | POP |
---|---|---|
Smoking | ||
a) Age <35 years | 2 | 1 |
b) ≥35 years | ||
(i) <15 cigarettes/day | 3 | 1 |
(ii) ≥15 cigarettes/day | 4 | 1 |
(iii) Stopped smoking <1 year ago | 3 | 1 |
(iv) Stopped smoking ≥1 year ago | 2 | 1 |
UKMEC | DEFINITION OF CATEGORY |
---|---|
CATEGORY 1 | A condition for which there is no restriction for the use of the contraceptive method |
CATEGORY 2 | A condition where the advantages of using the method generally outweigh the theoretical or proven risks |
CATEGORY 3 | A condition where the theoretical or proven risks generally outweigh the advantages of using the method. The provision of a method requires expert clinical judgement and/or referral to a specialist contraceptive provider, since use of the method is not usually recommended unless other more appropriate methods are not available or not acceptable. |
CATEGORY 4 | A condition which represents an unacceptable health risk if the contaceptive method is used |
CHC: combined hormonal contraception; POP: progestogen-only pill.
Lily is 24 years old and gave birth 2 months ago. She would like to resume taking contraception, however she is breastfeeding and is concerned that this may affect the quality of her breast milk.
Is CERAZETTE a suitable option for contraception while breastfeeding?
CERAZETTE does not affect quantity or quality of milk2,8
Based on the available data CERAZETTE may be used during lactation. The development and growth of a nursing infant, whose mother uses CERAZETTE, should, however, be carefully observed.2
UK Medical Eligibility Criteria (MEC) guidelines for contraceptive use1
Condition | CHC | POP |
---|---|---|
Breastfeeding | ||
a) <6 weeks postpartum | 4 | 1 |
b) ≥6 weeks to <6 months (fully or almost breastfeeding) | 3 | 1 |
c) ≥6 weeks to <6 months postpartum (partial breastfeeding medium to minimal) | 2 | 1 |
d) ≥6 months postpartum | 1 | 1 |
UKMEC | DEFINITION OF CATEGORY |
---|---|
CATEGORY 1 | A condition for which there is no restriction for the use of the contraceptive method |
CATEGORY 2 | A condition where the advantages of using the method generally outweigh the theoretical or proven risks |
CATEGORY 3 | A condition where the theoretical or proven risks generally outweigh the advantages of using the method. The provision of a method requires expert clinical judgement and/or referral to a specialist contraceptive provider, since use of the method is not usually recommended unless other more appropriate methods are not available or not acceptable. |
CATEGORY 4 | A condition which represents an unacceptable health risk if the contaceptive method is used |
CHC: combined hormonal contraception; POP: progestogen-only pill.
The effects of CERAZETTE and an IUCD on the quantity of breast milk (24-hour milk volume; mean values)8
Adapted from Bjarnadóttir et al, 2001.8 IUCD=intrauterine contraceptive device.
The effects of desogestrel and an IUCD on milk composition: lactose, protein and triglycerides concentrations (mean values and 95% confidence intervals).8
Adapted from Bjarnadóttir et al, 2001.8 IUCD=intrauterine contraceptive device.
Maria is 25 years old and has been taking a combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC) for 2 years. She suffers from headaches and breast tenderness which she notes started around the same time she began taking the CHC.
Can Maria switch to an oestrogen-free option to overcome her side effects without sacrificing efficacy?
After switching to CERAZETTE, most of the oestrogen-related symptoms completely disappeared (73%) or improved (92%).6
Changes in oestrogen-related side effects from study baseline to 3-4 months6
Tina is a 19-year-old student. She would like to start taking a contraceptive pill but would prefer not to take oestrogen as she is concerned about potential side effects.
Is there an oestrogen-free option with reliable efficacy?
Similar to combined oral contraceptives, CERAZETTE is 99% effective.2
CERAZETTE offers:
Safety profile: CERAZETTE improved oestrogen-related symptoms
Some women may prefer not to take an oestrogen-containing contraceptive because of the potential risks associated with extra oestrogen.
After switching to CERAZETTE, most of the oestrogen-related symptoms completely disappeared (73%) or improved (92%).6
Changes in oestrogen-related side effects from study baseline to 3-4 months6
Prescribing Information | Summary of Product Characteristics | Patient Information Leaflet
WOMN-1247520-0000 | Date of Preparation: March 2018