Femcon Fe pills are 92% and 99.7% effective in preventing pregnancy. This means that with typical use, only 8 of every 100 users will become pregnant during the first year of use. With perfect use, less than 1% will become pregnant.
Femcon Fe offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
How to Take
Femcon Fe works like other combination birth control pills. Each pack supplies a steady dose of norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol to last for one month (with 21 hormone pills and seven reminder pills).
Follow your healthcare provider’s advice as to when to begin. Most likely, you will start on the first day of your period or on the first Sunday after your period has begun.
After opening the pack, take out the label and peel and stick it to your pill pack, which will indicate your start date and show you the order to take the pills. Pick a time that you will take your pill each day.
Femcon Fe is a small, spearmint-flavored pill that can be either swallowed or chewed. If you decide to chew the pill, you must wash it down with an 8-ounce glass of any drink. Whether you decide to swallow or chew the pill does not alter its effectiveness
Advantages
There are certain advantages to taking Femcon Fe compared to other types of hormonal and non-hormonal birth control. Among them:
Femcon Fe is completely reversible. The ability to become pregnant returns after you stop taking the pill. It’s the only oral contraceptive that can be chewed, so it is ideal for people who have difficulty swallowing pills. It is discreet and gives the user the flexibility to take it on the go. Femcon Fe can help lighten menstrual flow and improve irregular periods. Unlike condoms, Femcon Fe doesn’t interfere with sex and allows for more spontaneity. It may help reduce menstrual cramps.
There is a low incidence of spotting or breakthrough bleeding between periods while on Femcon Fe. According to an older three-year study in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 92% of study participants who took Femcon Fe experienced no breakthrough bleeding.
Other Benefits
Combination birth control pills, like Femcon Fe, offer additional benefits beyond pregnancy prevention. These include a reduction in the risk of:
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) Ovarian cancer Endometrial cancer Benign breast cysts Certain ovarian cysts Osteoporosis Ectopic pregnancy Vaginal dryness Painful intercourse
Disadvantages
The main disadvantages to Femcon Fe, or any birth control pill for that matter, are side effects. With that said, there is a low incidence of side effects with Femcon Fe.
Common
The most common side effects of Femcon Fe include:
Nausea or vomiting Breast tenderness Spotting between periods Headaches Mood swings Loss of libido (sex drive)
Rare
People who use combination birth control pills like Femcon Fe may have a slightly higher chance of developing certain medical conditions, including:
High blood pressure Gallbladder disease Liver tumors (rare)
Another rare but serious complication of combination birth control pills is the development of blood clots in the heart, lungs, brain, or legs. Users who are confined to bed or immobilized appear to be at the greatest risk.
Costs
In order to obtain a prescription for Femcon Fe, you will usually need to have a medical evaluation, blood pressure check, and possibly a pelvic exam by a healthcare provider.
Femcon Fe comes in monthly packs that can cost anywhere between $30 to $60 a month. Generic versions are available and tend to be less costly.
A Word From Verywell
Femcon Fe is a safe and effective birth control option for most users. It is important to discuss your complete medical history with your healthcare provider before using Femcon Fe. Serious side effects are rare with Femcon Fe and do not occur very often with most birth control pills.
