NATAZIA* (ALSO CALLED Qlaira)-ESTRADIOL VALERATE AND ESTRADIOL VALERATE/DIENOGEST

Natazia Description

Natazia* is a combined oral contraceptive (COC) that is taken daily to help prevent an unplanned pregnancy. The active ingredients are Estradiol Valerate, an estrogen, and Estradiol Valerate/Dienogest that combines an estrogen and a progestin. Your doctor may also prescribe Natazia to help treat women that experience heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia), commonly caused by a hormonal imbalance.

If this is the first time you are taking Natazia (also called Qlaira), your doctor may advise you to use a back-up method for contraception such as a condom or foam spermicide for the first nine days until your body is accustomed to the pill.

Here’s How Natazia Works

Birth control pills, including Natazia, basically fool your body into thinking it is already pregnant. The man-made estrogen and progestin trick your pituitary gland into decreasing its production of follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. These two hormones are required for stimulating your ovaries into producing an egg each month, but Natazia suppresses this action so ovulation is less likely to occur. Should ovulation happen, Natazia also changes your cervical mucus so the sperm have a difficult time reaching a mature egg, and the lining of your womb becomes thinner so it is unable to sustain a fertilized egg.

However, no oral birth control works 100% of the time, meaning there is no guarantee an egg will not mature and become fertilized. Most oral contraceptives say they are 99% effective. But that is only if the pill is taken exactly as directed; on the days stated in the instructions, and at the same time on those days. Human error can result in a pregnancy.

Conditions Treated by Natazia

Some women may not be healthy enough to endure a pregnancy and may choose to take Natazia until they receive treatment or have their condition under control. Uncontrolled diabetes can be harmful to a fetus so before trying to conceive, talk to your doctor about medications, diet, and exercise so you can manage your diabetes properly.

Sexually transmitted infections (STI)can be passed from mother to baby during the pregnancy or when baby is delivered. Blindness, deafness, brain damage, or stillbirth are all possible reasons why some women could decide to postpone a pregnancy. Natazia will not protect you or your partner from transmitting or contracting HIV or other STIs.

Before Natazia is Recommended to You

Be certain you are not pregnant before starting Natazia! Wait at least 4 weeks after having a baby before you start Natazia. Discuss other medical conditions or allergies with your doctor and list any current OTC or Rx drugs you take or use, including herbal remedies and dietary or vitamin supplements to determine if Natazia is safe for you to take.

Natazia Precautions

If you are over 35 years of age and smoke more than 10 cigarettes per day, you should not take Natazia as this can increase your risk of heart problems, including a heart attack or stroke. If you miss a pill call your doctor or healthcare worker for advice. Be prepared with a back-up birth control method if you are ill and cannot take Natazia or thought you may have forgotten to take it.

Possible Side Effects of Natazia

• Nausea or vomiting
• Light spotting or bleeding
• Breast pain or tenderness