Stezza is a combined pill that is used to prevent pregnancy. Each pack contains 24 active tablets with a small amount of female hormones, nomegestrol acetate and estradiol, and 4 placebo tablets.
Like all contraceptives, Stezza has some side effects and therefore you should always speak to your doctor before starting treatment. When this contraceptive is taken correctly, the chance of getting pregnant is very small.
How to drink
The Stezza pack contains 24 white tablets that contain the hormones nomegestrol acetate and estradiol, which must be taken every day at the same time, for 24 days, following the direction of the arrows on the pack. In the following days, you should take the remaining yellow tablets for 4 days and the next day, start a new pack, even if your period has not ended.
For people who are not taking any contraceptive and wish to start Stezza, they should do so on the first day of menstruation, which is equivalent to the first day of the cycle.
What to do if you forget to take it
When you forget to take less than 12 hours, you should take the forgotten tablet and the remaining tablets at the usual time, even if you have to take 2 tablets on the same day. In these cases, the contraceptive effect of the pill is maintained.
When you forget more than 12 hours, the contraceptive effect of the pill is reduced. See what you should do in this case.
Who shouldn’t use
Stezza contraceptive is contraindicated in the following situations:
- Allergy to estradiol, nomegestrol acetate or any component of the medication;
- History of venous thrombosis of the legs, lungs or other organs;
- History of heart attack or stroke;
- History of cardiovascular problems;
- Diabetes with compromised blood vessels;
- Very high blood pressure;
- High cholesterol or triglycerides;
- Disorders that affect blood clotting;
- Migraine with aura;
- Pancreatitis associated with high concentrations of fat in the blood;
- History of severe liver disease;
- History of benign or malignant tumor in the liver;
- History of breast or genital cancer.
Furthermore, if you are pregnant, suspect you are pregnant or are breastfeeding, you should not take Stezza. If any of these conditions appear for the first time while the person is already taking the contraceptive, they should stop treatment and speak to their doctor.
Possible side effects
The most common side effects that may occur with the use of Stezza are the appearance of acne, changes in the menstrual cycle, decreased sexual appetite, mood changes, headache or migraine, nausea, heavy periods, pain and tenderness in the breasts, pain pelvic pain and weight gain.
Although it is rarer, this contraceptive can also cause increased appetite, fluid retention, swollen abdomen, increased sweating, hair loss, generalized itching, dry or oily skin, feeling of heaviness in the limbs, irregular periods, breast enlargement, pain from sexual intercourse, dryness of the vagina, spasm of the uterus, irritability and increased liver enzymes.
