Estrostep Provides Low-Dose Contraception

Estrostep belongs to a group of low dose, oral contraceptives called Estrophasic. This type of contraceptive uses a combination of estrogen and progestin, two female sex hormones, to prevent ovulation from occurring. Estrostep comes in a package containing three weeks of active pills to prevent pregnancy and one week of inactive pills (an iron placebo) to allow for a normal menstrual period. While the progestin level remains at 1 mg throughout the active phase of the month, the estrogen levels gradually increase in three steps: 20 micrograms (mcg) for the first five days, 30 mcg for the next seven days and 35 mcg for the final nine days.

Taking Estrostep

Estrostep should be taking orally each day with food or milk. If a dosage is missed, two pills should be taken on the following day. Patients need to consult their doctors if they miss more than two doses.

Effectiveness of Estrostep

Estrostep has a one-percent failure rate per year among women who used it as directed and did not miss any pills during the year. This rate increases to three percent for women who missed pills occasionally.

Benefits of Estrostep

Reports have shown that using Estrostep may lower a woman's chances of developing ovarian cysts, cancer of the ovaries, and cancer in the lining of the uterus. Other benefits of taking Estrostep are regular menstrual periods with a light flow and mild or no discomfort. In some cases, Estrostep is also used to treat severe acne.

Side Effects of Estrostep

Common side effects of Estrostep include headaches, nausea, vomiting, bleeding between menstrual periods, weight gain, breast tenderness, and difficulty wearing contact lenses. For most women, many of these side effects subside after three months of use. However, there is also a risk of more serious side effects, such as heart attack, blood clots, stroke, liver tumor, and gallbladder disease. Although these side effects are rare among healthy women, the risk significantly increases for Estrostep users who smoke. Women with health problems such as high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes may also be at an increased risk of serious side effects while using Estrostep. Patients should contact their doctor immediately if they have symptoms of lower leg pain, shortness of breath, severe headache, or numbness in arms or legs. All women should have a yearly physical, as well as discuss their own and family medical histories, with a qualified physician before taking Estrostep. Using oral contraceptives, including Estrostep, does not prevent HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases.