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New contraceptive pill Zoely could reduce acne and side effects

Thousands of women experience side effects and problems on the contraceptive pill - but the newest Pill, Zoely, offers a lower dose of hormones and could be the answer

There's a new contraceptive pill on the block - Zoely.

Picking up where Yasmin left off, it's from the latest generation of oral contraceptives and experts hope it could be the answer for thousands of women who struggle with side effects on older pills.



Dr Rosemary Leonard, media medic, GP and women’s health specialist explained why this Pill is different and who could benefit.

"Zoely has a slightly diff hormone mix to the combined pills we've had up to now. Like those it has both oestrogen and progesterone components but the oestrogen component is much more like the natural hormone than you find in current pills.

"And the progesterone component has an anti-androgen that blocks testosterone - which can really help women who suffer from acne."

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The best Pill for you

"It's impossible to predict how your body will get on with a Pill," Dr Leonard explains. "So when it comes to oral contraceptives, it's really a case of trying it and seeing how you get on.

"It's incredible how many women haven't found the right pill for them. I still have a lot of women in my clinic whose bleeding isn't quite right or skin is bad.

"GPs will usually offer the cheapest first, Microgynon, which works absolutely fine for many women. If it doesn't for you, you can try a different Pill depending on what symptoms you're experiencing - weight gain, acne, break through bleeding, etc.

"Until now, Yasmin has been the go-to Pill for women who suffer side effects, particularly bad skin. And Zoely is likely to be positioned as an alternative for those who don't get on with that.

"Cost also makes a difference - Zoely will be more than five times the price of Mycrogynon."



Acne and the Pill

"The Pill has been prescribed for a long time to teens and young women who have acne. Dianette used to be the Pill for this (though it is now prescribed for acne and not as birth control) but it causes a very slight increased risk of DVT.

"Zoely differs from Yasmin in its hormonal make up and also in that you take it constantly - there are 24 contraceptive pills and then four sugar pills, which makes it's easier to remember than when you stop and start, and should improve the way women take it.

"I think it's a good option for women who haven't found the right pill for them or who have problem skin. There is no perfect pill, but for these women it may be worth a try."

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Returning to fertility

"It's generally accepted that when you come off the Pill, your body quickly returns to it's former fertility level. It’s a myth that taking the pill delays return to fertility.

"Some women will get pregnant if they miss just one or two pills. If you do have a delay getting back to fertility, it’s because you would have had that anyway. If you had erratic periods before you started taking the Pill, it's likely you will return to this when you come off it, and Zoely is no different."



Know your options

"This new Pill joins a whole range of contraceptives, both hormonal and non. You may find that an oral contraceptive just isn't for you, in which case there is the copper or Mirena coil, injections, implants and other barrier methods.

"There can be side effects with all of them so speak to your GP and do your research to make sure you're using them correctly.

"Generally it takes around three months for cycles to settle down so give anything you try a few months for your body to get used to it. After three months, it could be time for a change if you're still not happy with any side effects."

Dr Leonard adds: "You also have to weigh up side effects with what will happen if you do get pregnant - a termination, the Morning After Pill or pregnancy itself will all be a bigger upheaval for your body than these increasingly sophisticated methods of contraception."

Zoely (known as Merck in the US and Canada) is available in the UK now.