Seasonique Birth Control Pills

Table Of Contents

• What are Seasonique Birth Control Pills?
• Important Information
• What you should know before taking
• How to take Seasonique Birth Control Pills
• What happens if you miss a dose?
• Can you overdose on this medication?
• Seasonique Side Effects
• Reviews
• Other medications that may interact

What are Seasonique Birth Control Pills

Seasonique birth control pills are a combination birth control pill that are sometimes referred to as the continuous-cycle birth control pill. The pill consists of two hormones: progestin and estrogen. Seasonique is taken for 91 consecutive days to suppress a woman’s menstruation cycle so that it occurs only four times per year. Like other 28-day cycle birth control pills, the hormones in Seasonique are effective at preventing the release of an egg from the ovaries. They also change the thickness of the vaginal fluid so that the sperm cannot reach the egg (fertilization).

Seasonique is often used for treatments other than preventing pregnancy. In some cases, Seasonique is used to treat common conditions including the treatment of acne, regulating periods and decreasing the risk of ovarian cysts.

Important Information about Seasonique

This medication should not be used while pregnant or breastfeeding. The hormones in Seasonique can be passed through breast milk and may negatively affect your baby when breastfeeding.

You should not take birth control pills if you smoke or are over the age of 35. These conditions increase your chances of experiencing complications such as blood clots.

Before taking Seasonique, make sure to inform your doctor if you are allergic to ethinyl estradiol or levonorgestrel, or if you have any other allergies.

Tell your doctor if you are planning on having surgery or if you will be sitting for a long period of time (such as a long flight). In both conditions, the risk of experiencing blood clots is increased.

To make sure Seasonique birth control pills are safe for you to use, tell your doctor if you have had any of the following conditions:

• Blood clots
• High blood pressure
• Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes/skin)
• Depression
• Cancer (especially breast or endometrial)
• Diabetes
• Severe headaches / migraines
• Stroke
• Unexplained vaginal bleeding

What You Should Know Before Taking Seasonique Birth Control Pills

If you have diabetes, you should not take Seasonique because it could potentially affect your blood sugar. Notify your doctor if you experience symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst, dry mouth or frequent urination. Taking Seasonique may increase your blood pressure.

Seasonique birth control pills should not be taken if you have just given birth or have experienced a pregnancy loss/abortion. You should wait at least 3 months before starting any new medication. Talk to your doctor about when it is safe for you to start using birth control pills.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have a history of any of the following:

• Abnormal breast exam
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Irregular heartbeat
• Gallbladder problems

If this is your first time taking Seasonique birth control pills, it is recommended that you use a backup method of birth control such as a condom or diaphragm and spermicide.

If you wear contact lenses, you may experience problems with your vision or have trouble wearing your contacts. You should contact your optometrist if you experience either of these while using Seasonique.

Taking Seasonique birth control does not protect you from contracting sexually transmitted diseases including HIV and AIDS.

How to Take Seasonique Birth Control Pills

Before you start taking a new medication, always read the instruction leaflet provided by your pharmacist. If you are unsure about any of the instructions, consult your doctor before taking the birth control medication.

Seasonique birth control packages include 84 pills that contain estrogen/progestin and 7 pills that contain estrogen only. You can start taking Seasonique either on the first day of your period, or on the Sunday following the start of your period.

You take the combination hormone pills for 84 days straight following by the 7 estrogen pills. During the week that you are taking the estrogen only pills, you should have your period. When you have finished taking the 7 estrogen pills, start on a new pack of Seasonique and repeat the same instructions. If you do not receive your period, consult your doctor.

It is important to take Seasonique birth control pills once a day, 24 hours apart. If you are prone to nausea or have an upset stomach, take the medication at meal time.

What Happens If You Miss a Dose of Seasonique?           

Seasonique birth control pills are most effective if taken at the same time every day. Your chance of becoming pregnant increases every time that you miss a pill. If you forget to take a pill, don’t panic! Follow the instructions below depending on if you missed one or two pills.

If you miss taking one active pill, simply take two pills at the same time the next day.

If you miss taking two pills, take two pills together for the next two days. After two days, continue taking one pill a day until the pack is gone.

If you miss three pills in a row, do not take the missed pills. You can continue with your regular schedule of taking one pill a day and leave the pills that you missed. If this happens, you may experience bleeding or symptoms of a period. If you miss more than two pills in your pack, always use an alternative birth control as backup.

Can You Overdose from Taking Seasonique?

If you take too many doses of birth control at one time, you could experience signs of an overdose which include vomiting, nausea or vaginal bleeding.

If you think that you may be having an overdose, seek emergency medical attention.

The Side Effects of Seasonique

 When taking Seasonique birth control pills, you may experience some common and more serious side effects including:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Headaches
• Bloating
• Breast tenderness
• Weight change
• Spotting

Seasonique may rarely cause more serious (sometimes fatal) problems such as blood clots. If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop using Seasonique and see your doctor right away:

• Sudden dizziness or fainting
• Unusual headaches
• Unusual sweating
• Vision problems
• Slurred speech
• Pain or swelling in the groin or calf
• Chest / jaw / left arm pain 

Seek emergency help right away if you experience any of the following signs of an allergic reaction:

• Rash
• Itching or swelling
• Severe dizziness
• Trouble breathing

What Others Say About Seasonique

Seasonique birth control pills have a 3-star rating on drugs.com and Seasonique users have given the medication an average rating of 6 out of 10. Some users report that the medication has had a negative affect on their body and when taking the birth control, they experienced many unpleasant side effects. The most reported side effects include heavy spotting, weight gain, acne, mood swings, increased anxiety and depression. Despite negative reviews, some users report minimal side effects and have been long-term users of the medication.

Other Medications That Can Affect Seasonique

Other medications may interact with the effectiveness of Seasonique. While taking Seasonique, you should not take drugs that include the following ingredients: anastrozole, exemestane, ospemifene, tamoxifen, tizanidine, tranexamic acid, certain combination products used to treat chronic hepatitis C.

Inform your doctor when you start taking any new drug and discuss if it is safe for you to start taking Seasonique.

To learn more about other birth control pill options click here.