Common use

Ovral is a trusted oral contraceptive used for effective pregnancy prevention and reliable family planning. This hormonal birth control pill contains two active ingredients — norgestrel (a synthetic progestin) and ethinyl estradiol (a synthetic estrogen) — that work together through multiple mechanisms to prevent conception. The norgestrel ethinyl estradiol combination in Ovral suppresses ovulation by inhibiting the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormones from the hypothalamus, thereby preventing the pituitary gland from signaling the ovaries to release an egg. Additionally, this contraceptive pill thickens the cervical mucus, creating a physical barrier that significantly hampers the movement of sperm cells toward the uterus, and alters the uterine lining (endometrium) to make it less receptive to the attachment of a fertilized egg. When you buy Ovral online, you gain access to a well-established birth control method trusted by millions of women worldwide for dependable pregnancy prevention. Both brand-name Ovral and affordable Ovral generic formulations provide the same proven hormonal contraceptive protection. This oral contraceptive is also sometimes prescribed to help regulate menstrual cycles, reduce menstrual cramps, decrease menstrual blood loss, and manage certain hormone-related conditions under medical supervision.



Dosage and direction

Follow all recommendations from your healthcare advisor when using this birth control medication. Take the first Ovral pill on the first day of your menstrual period or on the first Sunday after your period begins, depending on the dosing schedule your doctor recommends. If you are using Ovral for the first time, you may need additional birth control methods such as condoms during the first week to ensure full pregnancy prevention while the hormonal contraceptive reaches its full effectiveness. Standard 28-day birth control packs contain 21 active pills with norgestrel ethinyl estradiol and seven inactive "reminder" pills designed to maintain your daily habit. Your menstrual period will typically begin during the week you take the reminder pills. Some breakthrough bleeding or spotting is normal during the first few months of oral contraceptive use — if it becomes heavy or persistent, inform your doctor. For maximum family planning effectiveness, take each pill at approximately the same time every day without exception. When your current pill pack is finished, start a new one immediately the next day with no gap between packs. If you need to undergo medical tests, diagnostic procedures, or surgery, your doctor may advise you to temporarily stop using this contraceptive pill for a specified period before and after the procedure to reduce the risk of blood clots.



Precautions

When you first start using Ovral or switch from another birth control method, additional non-hormonal contraceptive measures such as condoms or a spermicide may be needed during the initial days of use to provide backup pregnancy prevention. The intake of hormonal birth control pills, including norgestrel ethinyl estradiol combinations, may increase the risk of serious cardiovascular events including blood clot formation (venous thromboembolism), heart attack, and stroke. These risks are significantly elevated in women over 35 years of age who smoke — if you are in this category, your doctor may recommend alternative non-hormonal contraception. Before you buy Ovral, inform your doctor about your complete medical history, especially if you have problems with your heart, blood pressure, or cholesterol, a history of congestive heart failure, angina, depression, seizures or epilepsy, diabetes, gallbladder disease, varicose veins, tuberculosis, uterine fibroid tumors, or a personal or family history of fibrocystic breast disease, breast nodules, or breast lumps. Regular breast self-exams and mammographic screening should continue as recommended during oral contraceptive use.



Contraindications

This hormonal birth control medication cannot be used in women who are pregnant or have recently given birth. Ovral is strictly contraindicated in patients with a history of stroke, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or other blood clotting disorders. Do not use this oral contraceptive if you have circulation problems, unexplained or abnormal vaginal bleeding, hormone-related cancers (including breast cancer or endometrial cancer), liver disease or liver cancer, a heart valve disorder with complications, severe uncontrolled high blood pressure, or a history of jaundice caused by previous birth control pill use. Migraine headaches with aura represent an additional contraindication, as combined hormonal contraceptives can increase stroke risk in these patients. Women who are scheduled for prolonged immobilization or major surgery should discontinue Ovral at least four weeks before the procedure to reduce thromboembolic risk.



Side effects

In addition to possible allergic symptoms such as hives, skin rash, facial swelling, and difficulty breathing, Ovral may cause a range of side effects that should be monitored during hormonal birth control use. Serious warning signs requiring immediate medical attention include sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), pain behind the eyes, vision problems, severe headache, confusion, difficulty with speech or balance, a change in the pattern or severity of migraine headaches, chest pain or a heavy feeling in the chest, pain radiating to the arm or shoulder, nausea combined with sweating and a general feeling of illness, or calf pain and swelling suggesting a possible blood clot. Other possible side effects of this contraceptive pill include swelling of the extremities, mood changes or depression, decreased libido, loss of appetite, nausea, stomach pain, breast tenderness, dark urine, jaundice, weight changes, and skin changes including melasma (darkening of facial skin). Most mild side effects of norgestrel ethinyl estradiol tend to diminish after the first two to three months of continuous oral contraceptive use as your body adjusts to the hormonal changes.



Drug interaction

Several medications can interact with Ovral and potentially reduce its effectiveness for pregnancy prevention, increasing the risk of unintended pregnancy. Inform your doctor about all prescribed and over-the-counter medications, herbal products, and dietary supplements you use. Medications of particular concern include theophylline (Respbid, Theo-Dur), acetaminophen (Tylenol), ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in high doses, prednisolone (Orapred), St. John's wort (a popular herbal supplement that can significantly reduce oral contraceptive efficacy), seizure medications (including phenytoin, carbamazepine, and topiramate), cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), barbiturate sedatives, HIV or AIDS medications (particularly ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitors), rifampin-class antibiotics, and certain other antibiotics. If you must take a medication known to reduce hormonal birth control effectiveness, use additional non-hormonal family planning methods such as condoms throughout the treatment course and for at least one full cycle afterward.



Missed dose

Missing even one pill of your oral contraceptive increases your risk of becoming pregnant, so adherence to your daily schedule is essential for effective birth control. If you forgot to take one active Ovral pill, take two pills as soon as you remember and then return to your regular schedule. If you miss two active pills in a row during the first or second week of your cycle, take two pills per day for two consecutive days, then resume your normal schedule and use backup contraception (such as condoms) for seven days. If you miss two active pills in a row during the third week, or if you miss three or more active pills in a row during any of the first three weeks, discard the current pack and start a new one immediately as if you are a First Day starter — use backup birth control for at least seven days. If you skip two or more pills, you may not have your period that month. If you miss a period for two consecutive months, take a pregnancy test as you might be pregnant. If you miss any reminder pills, simply throw the missed reminder pills away and continue with your regular schedule — reminder pills contain no active hormones and do not affect pregnancy prevention.



Overdose

The most commonly expected symptoms of an Ovral overdose include nausea, vomiting, and vaginal bleeding or withdrawal bleeding. Serious toxicity from oral contraceptive overdose is rare, but if you suspect you have taken significantly more pills than prescribed, contact your doctor or local poison control center for guidance. There is no specific antidote for norgestrel ethinyl estradiol overdose, and treatment is generally supportive and symptomatic.



Storage

Store Ovral at controlled room temperature between 20-25 degrees C (68-77 degrees F). Keep this hormonal birth control medication away from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight. Do not store contraceptive pills in the bathroom or other humid environments. Keep Ovral out of reach of children. Do not use the medication after the expiration date printed on the blister pack, and dispose of expired birth control pills safely.



Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.