Product introduction
Ovral L is a combined oral contraceptive pill that pairs a synthetic oestrogen with a progestin. Each strip holds 21 tablets, taken one a day, followed by a short break as your doctor directs. It is prescribed to prevent pregnancy and, in some women, to help bring irregular cycles into a more predictable pattern.
Storage: Store below 25°C, away from moisture and out of children's reach.
Uses of Ovral L Tablet
- Prevention of pregnancy (oral contraception).
- Regulation of irregular menstrual cycles.
Benefits of Ovral L Tablet
When taken correctly and on time every day, a combined pill like this offers dependable protection against pregnancy. Many women also notice more regular, lighter or less painful periods. It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, so condoms are still needed where that is a concern.
Side effects of Ovral L Tablet
Most side effects do not require medical attention and go away as your body adjusts. Consult your doctor if they persist.
- Headache.
- Breast tenderness or pain.
- Nausea.
- Abdominal pain.
- Weight gain.
- Low mood or mood changes.
- Constipation.
- Tiredness.
- Acne.
- Spotting or bleeding between periods, mostly in the first three months.
How to use Ovral L Tablet
Take one tablet daily at about the same time, with or without food, and swallow it whole with water. Start the first tablet on day one of your period and finish the whole strip before beginning the next one as your doctor has instructed. If you vomit within a few hours of a dose, or miss tablets, follow your doctor's or pharmacist's guidance and use a barrier method such as condoms for extra protection.
How Ovral L Tablet works
The two hormones work together in three ways. They stop the ovaries from releasing an egg each month, they thicken the mucus at the cervix so sperm find it hard to pass, and they alter the womb lining so it is less welcoming to a fertilised egg.
Substitutes for Ovral L Tablet
No other medicine with the same composition is listed in our catalogue yet. Message us on WhatsApp and our pharmacist will help you find a suitable alternative.
Safety advice
The effect of alcohol with this medicine is not well established, so check with your doctor before drinking.
This medicine must not be used during pregnancy or when trying to conceive. Stop it and see your doctor if you think you are pregnant.
Hormones can pass into breast milk. Your doctor will decide if it is right for you while nursing.
It is not expected to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Use with care in kidney disease; your doctor may need to adjust the plan.
It is best avoided in people with liver disease or liver tumours.
Quick tips
- Take the pill at the same time every day so hormone levels stay steady and protection is reliable.
- If you miss two or more tablets, you may not be protected, so use condoms and speak to your doctor.
- Smoking while on a combined pill raises the risk of blood clots, especially after the age of 35.
- Seek urgent medical help for sudden chest pain, breathlessness, a swollen painful leg or changes in vision.
- Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, since some can lower the pill's effectiveness.
Fact box
| Chemical class | — |
|---|---|
| Habit forming | No |
| Therapeutic class | Gynaecological (hormonal contraceptives) |
| Action class | Combined oral contraceptive |
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I forget a tablet?
Take the missed tablet as soon as you remember and carry on with the next one at the usual time. If more than one tablet is missed, protection may be reduced, so use condoms and ask your doctor for advice.
Does Ovral L protect against sexually transmitted infections?
No. It only helps prevent pregnancy. Condoms are needed to reduce the risk of infections.
Who should not take this pill?
People with a history of blood clots, breast cancer, liver disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, migraine with aura or unexplained vaginal bleeding should avoid it. Your doctor will review your history before prescribing.
Why do I get spotting in the first few months?
Light bleeding between periods is common while the body adjusts, usually within the first three months. See your doctor if it continues or is heavy.