Heather Birth Control Pills

What are Heather Birth Control Pills?

Heather birth control is a progestin-only medication that is taken to prevent pregnancy. Heather is a low-dose hormone birth control and is often referred to as the “mini-pill’ because it does not contain any estrogen. The active hormone in Heather is norethindrone; a synthetic progestin.

Like other progestin-only birth control pills, Heather is commonly prescribed to women who are either breastfeeding or who cannot take medication containing estrogen due to other health reasons.

How do Heather Birth Control Pills Work?

When taken regularly, Heather birth control prevents an egg from being fertilized. The progestin in Heather birth control works by thickening the vaginal mucus, which prevents the sperm from travelling to an egg. The progestin hormone also changes the uterine lining, making it more difficult for an egg to attach itself to the cervical wall (implantation).

According to an article on VeryWell.com, the progestational effects of Heather birth control helps to prevent ovulation and lessen menstrual bleeding, however, this does not occur for all users. Heather birth control only prevents ovulation in about half of its users.

Dosage Information About Heather Birth Control

Heather Dosage Information

Each Heather birth control pill contains 0.35mg of norethindrone (progestin). The progestin only remains in the body for 24 hours, therefore, you should take a pill every day at the same time to maximize the effectiveness of preventing pregnancy.

Before you begin taking Heather birth control, read the patient information leaflet that is provided from the pharmacist. For this medication to be effective, you must take it at the same time each day. Pick a time of day that works with your schedule and remember to take your pill every day.

Heather does not contain any estrogen, so a steady dose of progestin is needed and should be taken without any break. Once you have finished your pack of progestin pills, start a new pack the following day. Unlike combination birth control, you do not take any “reminder” sugar pills.

What Happens If You Miss A Pill

If you miss a dose of Heather, your chances of becoming pregnant are significantly increased. If you have missed a dose of your pill, take it as soon as you remember. Continue taking your pills at your scheduled time. If you miss a dose, or if you are more than 3 hours late taking your pill, make sure that you use a backup birth control for the next 48 hours.

If you don’t get your period within 45 days, take a pregnancy test or visit your doctor as you may be pregnant.

Disadvantages of Heather Birth Control

Using Heather birth control does not protect you against sexually transmitted diseases (such as HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia). To prevent the spread of STD’s, you should always wear a condom, cervical cap, or diaphragm.

This medication is not suitable for people with certain conditions. You should not take Heather birth control if you have experienced any of the following:

Arterial diseases (issues with your arteries)
Breast cancer
If you think you might be pregnant
Ovarian cysts
Irregular vaginal bleeding
If you smoke cigarettes
If you have ever had an allergic reaction to any type of medication

Furthermore, taking Heather birth control may increase your chances of experiencing an ectopic pregnancy (a fertilized egg implanting on the outside of the uterus). Heather birth control may interact with several medications such as modafinil and griseofulvin. For a complete list of drugs that interact with Heather, refer to this page on Drugs.com.

Side Effects of Heather Birth Control

Heather causes acne

Like combination birth control pills, users react differently to Heather birth control pills. Some of the common side effects include:

Spotting between periods
Headaches
Nausea and vomiting
Bloating
Breast tenderness
Weight gain
Hair loss
Tiredness
Acne
Depression

In rare cases, this medication may cause serious (and sometimes fatal) side effects including:

Blood clots
Pulmonary embolism
Stroke
Heart attack

Some people have serious adverse reactions to this medication. Seek emergency attention if you experience and of the following side effects:

Sudden dizziness or fainting
Warmth in the groin or calf
Slurred speech
Shortness of breath
Vision problems (double vision)

Before taking Heather birth control, notify your doctor if you have any allergies. Seek medical attention right away if you experience signs of an allergic reaction such as rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness or if you’re having trouble breathing.

Does Heather Birth Control Cause Acne?

Generally, a woman’s ovaries and adrenal glands produce a low level of androgens, however, some forms of birth control cause the level of androgens to increase. Increased levels of androgens cause the production of sebum to produce, and therefore, your acne may be worsened.

If you are struggling with breakouts and acne, you may want to speak with your doctor to find a combination birth control pill that will combat acne. There are three combination birth control pills that are approved by the FDA for acne treatment: Yaz, Ortho Tri-Cyclen, and Estrostep.

Does Heather Birth Control Cause Hair Loss?

Heather causes hair loss

The progestin in Heather birth control alters a woman’s hormone levels, and therefore, some may experience hair loss from taking the medication. Taking progestin-only birth control increases the level of androgens, which may trigger hair loss in some users.

Does Heather Cause Irregular Bleeding or Spotting?

A common side effects for users of Heather is to experience changes to their period. Everyone reacts differently to this medication, but it is common for women to experience spotting or bleeding through the month. Some women may experience heavier bleeding than normal while taking Heather.

If you have any concerns about irregular bleeding or spotting, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Heather Reviews

Heather birth control has a star rating of 3.5 out of 5 on Drugs.com, however, this site has only received a total of 8 reviews for Heather birth control. Overall, reviews for Heather birth control are positive. Some women experienced adverse side effects including bloating, weight gain, mood swings and spotting.

There are many birth control options available. You should speak with your doctor and find which birth control method is right for your health needs.