Camila Birth Control Pills
Table of Contents
What are Camila Birth Control Pills?
Camila birth control pills are a popular progestin only pill (POP), which are often referred to as a mini-pill. Unlike combination birth control pills, they do not contain estrogen. Camila birth control pills contain a low-dose of progestin and is taken daily to prevent pregnancy.
Like other progestin-only birth control pills, Camila works by thickening the cervical mucus at the entrance of the womb, so that sperm cannot get through to the egg. Camila is the generic form of the Nor-Qd birth control brand and is sold at a fraction of the cost of Nor-Qd.
Who is Camila Birth Control Recommended For
Camila is best suited for women who are either allergic to estrogen or for women who are still breastfeeding. Because it does not contain any estrogen, Camila is less effective at preventing pregnancy compared to combination birth control pills.
Camila is also prescribed to women for the treatment of menstrual disorders, abnormal vaginal bleeding caused by hormone imbalance, and endometriosis.
Precautions to Consider Before Taking Camila Birth Control
If a woman becomes pregnant while taking Camila, there is a higher risk of having a tubular pregnancy. A tubular pregnancy, also referred to as an ectopic pregnancy, is a pregnancy that occurs when a fertilized egg implants itself outside of the uterus, typically in one of the fallopian tubes. The incidence of an ectopic pregnancy occurring for progestin-only birth control users is 5 out of 1000.
Smoking cigarettes while taking oral contraceptives greatly increases the possibility of experiencing a heart attack or stroke. Women who smoke or are over the age of 35 should not take Camila birth control.
If there is any chance that you may be pregnant, do not take Camila. Taking Camila birth control while pregnant could cause serious birth defects.
Furthermore, you should not take Camila birth control if you have any of the following:
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- Breast cancer
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- History of stroke, heart attack, blood clots or problems with circulation
- If you have had an incomplete miscarriage or abortion
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Like any oral contraceptive, Camila does not protect you against sexually transmitted diseases. Wearing a condom is the only effective way to protect yourself from STD’s including HIV and AIDS.
How to Take Camila Birth Control
This mini-pill birth control provides a steady dose of progestin throughout the month and each pill contains 0.35mg of norethindrone, a progestin. The pack does not contain any inactive pills and there is no break taken between packs.
As Camila contains less progestin than combination pills, it is important to take Camila at the same time every 24 hours. If these instructions are followed, it is reported that less than 1 out of 100 women will become pregnant while taking Camila.
If you are late taking your dose by 3 hours or more, your risk of becoming pregnant is significantly increased. In this case, you must use a backup birth control method for the following 48 hours to prevent pregnancy. Similarly, if you experience diarrhea or vomiting while taking Camila, use a backup method of birth control such as a condom.
Before you start taking Camila birth control, read the patient information leaflet provided by your doctor or pharmacist and follow these instructions.
Common Side Effects of Camila Birth Control
Camila birth control does not contain any estrogen, and therefore, women are more susceptible to spotting and breakthrough bleeding.
Although there is no evidence that birth control causes weight gain, Camila birth control may increase a women’s appetite and may cause water retention. Therefore, it is common for women to experience weight gain while taking Camila birth control. Women report that they experience significant weight gain within the first month of taking the birth control.
Camila may cause serious side effects. Stop using the medication if you experience of the following:
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- Blood clots
- Heart attack
- Pulmonary embolism
- Stroke
- Symptoms of depression
- Severe pelvic pain
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If you experience any of the following symptoms, get immediate medical attention:
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- Confusion
- Sudden dizziness or fainting
- Slurred speech
- Sudden shortness of breath
- Lack of coordination
- Unusual sweating
- Sudden heavy bleeding
- Vision problems
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Other common, and less serious side effects include:
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- Nausea and vomiting
- Breast tenderness
- Bloating
- Weight gain
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This is not a full list of possible side effects of taking Camila birth control pills. Before taking any form of medication, speak with your doctor to determine the safest method for your body.
Does Camila Birth Control Help Acne?
Acne is often caused by a hormonal imbalance in the body, and so, birth control is often prescribed to treat it. However, it is typically low-dose combination birth control pills such as Yaz and Ortho Tri-Cyclen that are best suited to treat acne.
Unlike combination birth control pills, Camila does not contain any estrogen, therefore, the medication may not be effective in treating acne.
In a study done on 2147 women who take progestin-only birth control, 30-40% of women reported that their acne worsened while using progestin-only mini-pills.
Reviews of Camila Birth Control
Out of the 48 reviews on Drugs.com, consumers rate Camila birth control 4.8 out of 10 for the treatment of pregnancy prevention. Consumers report that while taking Camila birth control, they experienced significant weight gain (up to 20 pounds in one month), mood swings, symptoms of depression, bloating, cramps and spotting.
Progestin-only birth control, or mini-pills, are not recommended for everyone. Before you start any medication, consult your doctor and find the best birth control for you.
To learn more about other birth control pill options click here.
