Main takeaways
Aviane is a combination oral contraceptive that contains the hormones ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel.
These two hormones work together to help prevent pregnancy from occurring by thickening the cervical lining and suppressing ovulation.
Similar to Yasmin birth control, Aviane birth control pills are 99% effective at preventing pregnancy when used perfectly. This medication also may help alleviate heavy periods and decrease your risk of ovarian cysts over time.
While perfect use of Aviane can effectively prevent pregnancy, oral hormonal contraceptives do not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases.
The most common side effects associated with Aviane are similar to those experienced by users of other combination oral hormonal contraceptives.
Aviane Birth Control 101
Birth control pills come in several different formulas. Some contain only one type of hormone while others contain two. This means that finding the right birth control for you may take some time and a little trial and error. After all, your body is unique and thus, so are your birth control needs.
The first step to determining your perfect combined oral contraceptive formula is to educate yourself on the varieties of combined oral contraceptive pills out there, the potential pros and cons, and the risk factors. It’s important to keep your health history in mind as well, as some people are safer using certain types of birth control simply due to the conditions they have or that run in their family.
This guide will introduce you to one type of birth control—Aviane. It will tell you everything you need to know about how this combination pill works and how it may affect your body so that you can make informed choices about your reproductive health.
What Is Aviane Birth Control?
Aviane birth control is what’s known as a combination pill. This means it uses a combination of hormones to help prevent pregnancy in the case of unprotected sex. In some cases, you will need to take an emergency contraception pill if you are not consistent with taking Aviane birth control. Each package of Aviane pills contains 28 total pills, enough to last for one menstrual cycle. In each package, you’ll receive:
21 dark orange active pills
7 light green placebo pills
The active pills contain two female hormones that work to prevent pregnancy from occurring. These hormones include:
Levonorgestrel – Levonorgestrel is a type of progestin (a synthetic form of naturally-occurring progesterone). It’s the main hormone found in the plan B or morning-after pill. It’s often paired with synthetically produced estrogens in combination birth control pills. Aside from preventing pregnancy, levonorgestrel may also help alleviate some menstrual disorders or pain from endometriosis.
Ethinyl estradiol – Ethinyl estradiol is a synthetic form of estrogen commonly found in birth control pills.
When paired, as they are in the Aviane birth control pill, levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol work together to prevent pregnancy from occurring by:
Thickening the cervical mucus so that sperm cannot swim to meet the egg
Suppressing your ovulation cycle
These two actions make it difficult for sperm to fertilize an egg and for an egg to implant in the uterus, thus preventing pregnancy.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Using Aviane?
Most oral contraceptives come with similar pros and cons. However, for those who don't wish to become pregnant, combination birth control pills are one of the more popular contraceptive options due to their positive effects.
Potential Benefits of Using Aviane
Those who use Aviane correctly will find that it’s 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. Other benefits of Aviane birth control might include:
Reduced chance of ovarian cysts
More regular and predictable menstruation
Decreased risk of an ectopic pregnancy
Less risk of iron deficiency due to heavy blood loss during menstruation
Furthermore, long-term use of birth control pills like Aviane may result in lower occurrences of some reproductive cancers.
Potential Disadvantages of Aviane
Use of Aviane is not without its potential disadvantages. Some of the downsides of using a daily oral contraceptive may include:
Risk of more serious side effects, comparable to other birth control pills
Discomfort in the beginning of use
Requirement to stay on schedule with pills
If you aren’t someone who can take a pill at the same time every day, then Aviane might not be the best option for you.
Who Should Use Aviane?
Aviane birth control is a good oral contraceptive choice for women and people who menstruate who don’t wish to become pregnant. If you can stay on a pill-taking schedule, then Aviane may help you avoid pregnancy.
On the other hand, some people might not benefit from an oral contraceptive like Aviane. Many of the more serious side effects associated with these pills are more likely to occur in individuals who:
Have a history of high blood pressure
Have cardiovascular disease
Are afflicted with liver disease
Have had or currently suffer from breast cancer
Have a predisposition of deep-vein thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders (blood clots)
Any of these conditions may make taking Aviane riskier for you. Certain medications may also interact or be altered by taking birth control pills. If you are looking for a progestin only pill, there are other contraceptive options such as Norethindrone birth control, that are just as effective. You should speak with your health care professional about your options if any of these situations apply to you.
How to Use Aviane
Aviane birth control comes in packs of 28 pills which should be taken continually. When you finish one pack, you should begin a new pack the following day. It is always recommended that you start your birth control the day that it is received or prescribed by a healthcare physician.
There are two additional timetables you can use to begin taking your first pack of Aviane:
Sunday start – If you are looking to start on Sunday, we advise that you ingest one orange pill on the first Sunday after your most recent menstrual cycle. You’ll take one pill every day, moving through the pack in order. All 21 orange pills should be taken before the 7 light green placebo pills. When you finish the last placebo pill, open and start a new pack the next day.
Day 1 start – You can also elect to take Aviane beginning on the first day of your period. You’ll take your first orange pill during the first 24 hours of your period, and every day after that, until you’ve taken all 21 orange pills. Then, you’ll take the 7 light green placebo pills. You’ll start a new pack after all of the placebo pills are gone.
It’s important to note that you should continue to use a non-hormonal form of birth control for at least the first week after starting Aviane.
If you are switching to Aviane birth control from a different type of contraceptive, there are some different procedures to follow, such as:
If you were using a 21 active pill contraceptive, a 24 active pill contraceptive, or a 28 active pill contraceptive, begin Aviane immediately and take the first pill of the new pack the day after taking any pill in old pack of birth control.
When switching from an implant or IUD, start taking Aviane 7 days before removing the implant or IUD.
When switching from a vaginal ring, such as Annovera birth control, start Aviane 1 day before removing the ring.
When changing from an injection, take your first Aviane pill up to 15 weeks after the last shot.
Aviane Effectiveness
Wondering whether condoms vs birth control is the proper way to go? Aviane birth control is highly effective when used perfectly. This means you need to follow all of the instructions, and never skip a pill dose. When you stay on schedule and take your pills every day, Aviane is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
However, Aviane doesn’t protect you from the transmission of STDs and HIV. Thus, you should always use a backup form of non-hormonal birth control, such as a condom, to keep both you and your partner safe from the risk of infection.
What Are the Side Effects of Aviane?
Many of the side effects experienced by users of Aviane birth control are in line with other similar oral contraceptives. Some common side effects may include:
Changes to your menstrual cycle – Since Aviane impacts your cycle, you may experience some irregularities or changes during the first few months of use. These may include breakthrough bleeding, heavier periods, or irregular cycles.
Stomach upset – Some people also experience gastrointestinal discomfort when they take Aviane. Nausea, vomiting, or bloating may occur. Often, these symptoms resolve after a few months of use. Try taking your pill with food at night to help.
Other pain or discomfort – Some other uncomfortable or painful side effects may include swelling of the ankles or feet, headaches, and breast tenderness. Weight gain or acne may also occur in some users.
Many of these side effects are likely to fade over time. However, some people may experience more rare effects, including:
Severe stomach pain or cramping
Continual changes in vaginal bleeding
Sudden dizziness, fainting, or weakness
Severe headaches or changes to your vision
Shortness of breath, chest pain, or numbness in the upper extremities
These rare side effects should not be ignored, as they might be a sign of a serious health problem. If you experience any of these side effects while using Aviane birth control, you should consult your healthcare professional immediately.
The Pill Club: Your Source for Reproductive Health Support
Aviane birth control is a combination oral contraceptive that can help prevent pregnancy in women and people who menstruate. When used perfectly, Aviane is highly effective. The potential side effects of Aviane are comparable to those of other oral contraceptives. However, it’s important to keep in mind that certain health conditions may exacerbate the potential for side effects while using birth control pills.
Are you interested in learning more about Aviane birth control and whether it’s right for you? Get all of the information you need by reaching out to The Pill Club.
We offer telemedicine consultations, prescription services, sexual wellness products, and more. Visit our website today to get started.
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