Katya

Katya is a combined oral contraceptive pill containing gestodene and ethinylestradiol. It is a low-dose monophasic preparation, meaning every active tablet delivers the same amount of both hormones.

Katya provides effective contraception by suppressing ovulation, thickening cervical mucus, and thinning the endometrial lining.

Gestodene is a third-generation progestogen with high progestogenic potency, allowing effective contraception at a lower total hormone dose.

The combination with 20 micrograms of ethinylestradiol makes Katya one of the lowest-oestrogen combined pills available, which may suit women who are sensitive to the side effects of higher oestrogen doses, such as breast tenderness, nausea, or headaches.

Katya is taken for 21 consecutive days followed by a seven-day pill-free interval. During the break, a withdrawal bleed typically occurs.

Provided the pill is taken correctly, it offers a high level of contraceptive reliability.

It is important to take the pill at roughly the same time each day, as lower-dose formulations have a smaller margin for missed pills.

Take one tablet daily at the same time for 21 days, followed by a seven-day tablet-free interval. Start the next pack after the seven-day break, whether or not the withdrawal bleed has stopped.

If starting for the first time, begin on day one of your menstrual cycle for immediate contraceptive cover.

If you miss one pill by fewer than twelve hours, take it immediately and continue as normal.

If you miss one pill by twelve hours or more, or miss two or more pills, follow the advice in the patient leaflet, as extra precautions may be required depending on the week in which the pill was missed.

One active tablet daily for 21 days, followed by seven tablet-free days. Each tablet contains gestodene 75 micrograms and ethinylestradiol 20 micrograms.

The same dose is taken throughout the 21-day active phase. If switching from another combined pill, start Katya the day after the last active tablet of the previous pill.

No dose adjustment is available; if the formulation is unsuitable, an alternative pill should be prescribed.

Common side effects include headache, nausea, breast tenderness, breakthrough bleeding, mood changes, and decreased libido.

These are often mild and tend to settle within the first two to three cycles. Uncommon effects include migraine, weight fluctuation, and acne.

Rare but serious risks include venous thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism) and, very rarely, arterial thromboembolism (stroke, heart attack).

Third-generation progestogens such as gestodene may carry a slightly higher venous clot risk than second-generation progestogens, though the absolute risk remains low.

All combined oral contraceptives carry a small increased risk of blood clots. The risk is highest in the first year and after restarting following a break of four weeks or more.

Risk factors include smoking, obesity, immobility, and a family history of thrombosis. Women over 35 who smoke should not use combined contraceptives.

Stop taking Katya and seek urgent medical attention if you develop symptoms of a clot. Katya does not protect against sexually transmitted infections; condoms should be used for STI prevention.

Katya is contraindicated in women with a history of venous or arterial thromboembolism, known thrombophilic disorders, migraine with aura, severe hypertension, diabetes with vascular damage, active liver disease or liver tumours, known or suspected hormone-dependent malignancies, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, pancreatitis with severe hypertriglyceridaemia, and hypersensitivity to gestodene, ethinylestradiol, or any excipient.