Lovima

Lovima works by preventing ovulation, thickening the cervical mucus to make it more difficult for sperm to reach and fertilise an egg, and thinning the uterine lining to make it difficult for a fertilised egg to implant.

Lovima works immediately if taken on the first day of your period. If taken on any other day of the menstrual cycle, it can take up to 7 days to effectively prevent pregnancy. During this time, it is recommended to use barrier contraceptives, such as condoms, for the next 7 days until Lovima starts to work.

Take one Lovima pill per day, whole, with water for 28 consecutive days until the pack is empty. Once the pack is finished, you should take a pill from the new pack without taking a break between packs.

Lovima comes in strips of 28 tablets, and each tablet is marked with the day of the week, making it easier for you to remember when to take each tablet and to know which day you should begin the next pack.

Lovima is safe and approved for use in the UK by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. Please read the patient information leaflet before using Lovima and adhere to the usage instructions.

Lovima can be up to 99% effective in preventing pregnancy if taken daily at the same time every day. However, Lovima may not be as effective if a dose is missed or if the individual taking Lovima experiences vomiting or diarrhoea after taking it.

You shouldn’t use Lovima if any of the following applies to you:

• You are pregnant or think you may be pregnant
• You have thrombosis (the formation of blood clots, which may block blood vessels)
• You currently have or have ever had jaundice (which normally results in the yellowing of the skin)
• You currently have, or may have breast, ovarian, or uterine cancer
• You are allergic to desogestrel, peanut, soya, or any other ingredients listed in the Lovima patient information leaflet

Lovima does not stop periods completely; however, it can affect menstrual bleeding patterns. Some users may experience lighter, less frequent, or missed periods while taking Lovima, while others might experience irregular bleeding.

If you miss a dose of Lovima and less than 12 hours have passed since you were supposed to take it, take the missed pill immediately and then take the next pill at your usual time. This may mean taking two Lovima pills in one day if you remember to take a pill on the day of the next scheduled dose.

If 12 or more hours have passed since you forgot to take a Lovima pill, take the missed pill as soon as you remember, then take the next one at the usual time. Additionally, use barrier contraceptives, such as condoms, for 7 days following the missed dose to increase the probability of preventing pregnancy.

If you have missed more than one dose of Lovima, take the most recently missed pill immediately, resume your regular schedule, and use additional methods of contraception for 7 days following the last missed dose.

Lovima is not commonly associated with weight gain, but some individuals may experience fluctuations in weight due to hormonal changes. These weight changes will vary depending on the individual and their reaction to the pill.

Lovima and Cerelle are medically identical progestogen-only pills, as they both contain 75 micrograms of desogestrel, a synthetic form of the naturally occurring hormone progestogen. The main difference between these two contraceptive pills is that Cerelle is a prescription-only medication, whereas Lovima is available to purchase over-the-counter. Additionally, both pills have different manufacturers and brand names.

Both Lovima and Hana contain 75 mcg of the same active ingredient, desogestrel, and are available to purchase over the counter. However, they have different manufacturers and branding. Moreover, Lovima contains soya bean oil, making it unsuitable for individuals who have a soy or peanut allergy.

You can buy Lovima from Pharmica after completing a quick online consultation to determine if Lovima is suitable for you.