Yacella

What is the Yacella contraceptive pill?

Yacella contains two hormones which are very similar to hormones to the ones your body produces to control the menstrual cycle. It’s the “combination” of these that makes it a “combined” contraceptive pill.

Hormones that the body produces naturally rise and fall, controlling the menstrual cycle so that the usual things that need to happen for you to get pregnant take place, like ovulation. Yacella stops these natural fluctuations and so prevents pregnancy, changing the hormonal balance in your body.

The combined pill is a popular choice because it’s completely reversible. You can stop taking it anytime if you decide you want to start a family.

How safe is Yacella?

To make sure it’s safe to use, contraceptive pills like Yacella are tested before they are released to the public. All combined contraceptives increase the risk of blood clots. The increased risk is small but its important to understand it. The risk of blood clots for Yacella is slightly higher than some other combined pills (like Microgynon, Rigevidon and Levest). It’s quite common for the pill to cause some milder side effects when you first start taking it, but these normally go away on their own after a short time. ^[1]

If they persist, our clinician may be able to find you a better solution, which might include tweaking your dose or suggesting another type of pill, such as the mini pill.

Is there more than one version of Yacella?

There are four other pills that are ‘bioequivalent‘. This means they have exactly the same hormones in them, in exactly the same amounts. These are called Lucette, Yasmin, Dretine and Ellanite. So the pills should work in the same way, even if they look different, come in different packaging and are priced differently.

There’s also a pill called Eloine. It’s like Yacella, but has slightly less oestrogen hormone in it. So if you get side effects on Yacella like headaches or nausea, you might be better trying Eloine.

How to take Yacella

Yacella instructions are straightforward and easy to follow. Once you get into the habit of taking it, it becomes second nature.

Each strip of Yacella contains the 21 pills you need to take for each 28-day cycle. Above each pill are the days of the week, which helps you to keep track of what’s been taken.

Take one pill a day for 21 days, at the same time every day.

Once you reach the end of your strip, you should take a seven day break, during which you will likely experience a withdrawal bleed. On the eighth day, start the next strip of 21 pills.

It can be taken with or without food and should be swallowed whole with water.

When to start Yacella

If you have not taken a hormonal contraceptive the previous month, you should take the first Yacella tablet at the beginning of your cycle. This is the first day of bleeding on your period. This will ensure that you remain fully protected against pregnancy from the outset.

If you take Yacella on another day in your cycle, you’ll need to use a barrier contraceptive, such as a condom, for seven days.

If you have taken a hormonal contraceptive up until the day before you start using Yacella, simply start the 21 pill strip and complete the course, even if this extends the number of days you are taking a contraceptive. At the end of the cycle, take the seven day break as usual.

If you have taken the mini pill, or any progesterone only contraceptive, up until the first day of using Yacella, you should start the strip of 21 pills the day after finishing your previous method. When switching from a progesterone only pill to a combined pill, you’ll need to use a barrier contraceptive for the first seven days.

Yacella missed pills and what to do

If you miss a Yacella pill, you should check the leaflet that comes with your pill for advice on what to do.

It’s better to take the pill every day at the same time. But if you’re a little late taking it (less than 12 hours) your protection won’t be reduced. Just take the pill when you remember and the next at the normal time.

Beyond 12 hours, it counts as a missed pill and if you miss one or more pills, take the most recent forgotten pill as soon as you remember and the next one at the usual time. This might mean taking two pills on the same day.