Logynon
Logynon is a triphasic combined oral contraceptive pill containing levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol.
It provides effective contraception by preventing ovulation, thickening cervical mucus, and thinning the womb lining.
The triphasic design delivers three different hormone doses across the 21-day cycle, aiming to mimic the natural hormonal pattern more closely.
Logynon is a prescription-only medicine (POM) in the United Kingdom, manufactured by Bayer.
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Logynon is a prescription-only triphasic combined oral contraceptive pill containing levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol.
It is one of the most established oral contraceptives available in the United Kingdom and provides highly effective pregnancy prevention when taken correctly.
The triphasic design delivers three different hormone doses across the 21-day active tablet phase, graduated to approximate the natural rise and fall of hormones during the menstrual cycle.
Logynon prevents pregnancy through three mechanisms: suppressing ovulation, thickening cervical mucus to impede sperm penetration, and thinning the endometrial lining to reduce the likelihood of implantation.
Contraception is a fundamental aspect of reproductive healthcare.
Approximately 3.1 million women in the United Kingdom use a hormonal method of contraception, and the combined oral contraceptive pill remains one of the most popular choices.
Effective contraception allows women to plan pregnancies, space births, and make informed decisions about their reproductive lives.
The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) provides evidence-based clinical guidance on all methods of contraception, including combined hormonal contraceptives.
This page provides a comprehensive clinical guide to Logynon, covering how it works, its effectiveness, dosage instructions, missed pill guidance, side effects, safety warnings, and how to obtain a prescription in the UK.
Important safety information about Logynon
Before reading further, note these essential safety points.
- Logynon is a prescription-only medicine and must be prescribed following a clinical assessment.
- Combined oral contraceptives are contraindicated in women with migraine with aura due to an increased risk of stroke.
- There is a small increased risk of venous thromboembolism (blood clots), which is higher in women who smoke, are obese, or have other risk factors.
- Women aged 35 and over who smoke should not use combined oral contraceptives.
- Logynon does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
Understanding combined oral contraception
Combined oral contraceptives contain a synthetic oestrogen (usually ethinylestradiol) and a synthetic progestogen.
The oestrogen component suppresses the pituitary release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), preventing follicular development in the ovaries.
The progestogen suppresses luteinising hormone (LH), preventing the LH surge that triggers ovulation.
In addition, the progestogen thickens cervical mucus, creating a barrier to sperm, and thins the endometrial lining.
The combination of these effects makes COCs highly effective: with perfect use (no missed pills), fewer than 1 in 100 women will become pregnant in a year.
COCs are categorised by their dosing pattern. Monophasic pills deliver the same dose of both hormones in every active tablet. Biphasic pills use two different doses.
Triphasic pills, such as Logynon, use three different doses across the cycle.
The rationale for triphasic dosing is to reduce the total monthly hormone exposure while maintaining contraceptive efficacy and cycle control.
In practice, monophasic and triphasic pills are equally effective, and the choice is often based on tolerability and individual preference.
How Logynon works: pharmacology and mechanism
Logynon's 21-day active phase comprises three distinct tablet types. The first phase (6 light brown tablets) contains ethinylestradiol 30 micrograms and levonorgestrel 50 micrograms.
The second phase (5 white tablets) contains ethinylestradiol 40 micrograms and levonorgestrel 75 micrograms. The third phase (10 ochre tablets) contains ethinylestradiol 30 micrograms and levonorgestrel 125 micrograms.
The increasing progestogen dose across the cycle is designed to provide adequate endometrial stability, reducing the likelihood of breakthrough bleeding.
Levonorgestrel is a second-generation progestogen derived from 19-nortestosterone.
It has a well-characterised safety profile and is the progestogen associated with the lowest risk of venous thromboembolism among combined oral contraceptives.
This is reflected in the FSRH and MHRA guidance, which notes that levonorgestrel-containing COCs carry a VTE risk of approximately 5 to 7 per 10,000 women per year, compared with 9 to 12 per 10,000 for COCs containing newer progestogens such as desogestrel, gestodene, or drospirenone.
Ethinylestradiol is a synthetic oestrogen with high oral bioavailability and a long half-life, making it suitable for once-daily dosing.
It is metabolised by the liver, primarily via CYP3A4, and undergoes enterohepatic recirculation.
This hepatic metabolism is clinically important because enzyme-inducing drugs (such as rifampicin, carbamazepine, and phenytoin) accelerate the breakdown of ethinylestradiol, potentially reducing contraceptive efficacy.
Effectiveness of Logynon
With perfect use, combined oral contraceptives have a failure rate of less than 1% per year (Pearl index less than 1).
With typical use, the failure rate rises to approximately 9% per year, reflecting the impact of missed pills, vomiting, diarrhoea, and drug interactions.
Adherence is the single most important factor in contraceptive effectiveness.
Taking the pill at the same time each day, understanding missed pill rules, and being aware of drug interactions all contribute to reliable protection.
The 7-day pill-free interval is the most vulnerable time in the cycle, as the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis begins to reactivate.
Extending the pill-free interval beyond 7 days (for example, by missing pills at the start or end of a pack) significantly increases the risk of escape ovulation and unintended pregnancy.
Conversely, shortening or omitting the pill-free interval (by running packs together) reduces this risk.
Clinical guidance on combined oral contraceptives in the UK
The FSRH Clinical Effectiveness Unit provides comprehensive guidance on combined hormonal contraception.
Key recommendations include a thorough medical history and blood pressure measurement before prescribing (routine blood tests and examination are not required for healthy women), assessment using the UK Medical Eligibility Criteria (UKMEC) to identify contraindications, annual review including blood pressure and reassessment of risk factors, and clear counselling on missed pill rules, drug interactions, and warning signs of VTE.
NICE guideline NG88 (heavy menstrual bleeding) recognises that combined oral contraceptives can be used to manage heavy periods, and many women find that their periods become lighter, shorter, and less painful on the pill.
This is considered a non-contraceptive benefit and may guide the choice of contraceptive method.
Logynon compared with other oral contraceptives
Logynon belongs to the levonorgestrel-ethinylestradiol group of COCs, which also includes monophasic brands such as Microgynon 30 and Rigevidon.
These pills share the same active ingredients but differ in dosing pattern.
Microgynon 30 delivers a fixed dose of ethinylestradiol 30 micrograms and levonorgestrel 150 micrograms in every tablet, while Logynon varies both components across three phases.
Other COC options include pills containing different progestogens.
Desogestrel-containing pills (such as Marvelon) and gestodene-containing pills (such as Femodene) are sometimes prescribed for women who experience androgenic side effects (acne, oily skin) with levonorgestrel, as these progestogens have less androgenic activity.
However, they carry a slightly higher VTE risk.
Drospirenone-containing pills (such as Yasmin) have anti-mineralocorticoid activity that may reduce bloating and fluid retention, but also carry a higher VTE risk than levonorgestrel-based pills.
Progestogen-only pills (such as desogestrel 75 micrograms, sold as Cerazette or Cerelle) are an alternative for women who cannot take oestrogen.
The contraceptive implant (Nexplanon), hormonal coil (Mirena), contraceptive injection (Depo-Provera), and copper coil are long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods that are more effective than oral contraception because they do not rely on daily adherence.
Dosage and how to take Logynon
Take one tablet daily for 21 days, following the order on the blister pack, then observe a 7-day tablet-free interval. Start the next pack on day 8.
Take the tablet at the same time each day. If starting for the first time on day 1 of your period, contraceptive protection begins immediately.
If starting at any other time, use additional contraception for 7 days.
Missed pill guidance follows the FSRH recommendations. One missed pill (less than 24 hours late): take it immediately, no additional precautions needed.
Two or more missed pills (24 hours or more late): take the last missed pill, continue the pack, use condoms for 7 days, and if fewer than 7 active pills remain, skip the break and start the next pack.
Emergency contraception should be considered if pills were missed in the first week of a pack and unprotected intercourse occurred during the pill-free interval or first week.
Side effects of Logynon
Common side effects
Headache, nausea, breast tenderness, mood changes, breakthrough bleeding, and bloating are the most frequently reported effects. These typically improve within the first 2 to 3 cycles. If they persist beyond 3 months, consult your prescriber about trying a different pill.
Thrombotic risks
Combined oral contraceptives increase the risk of venous thromboembolism and, to a lesser extent, arterial thromboembolism.
The VTE risk with levonorgestrel-containing pills is approximately 5 to 7 per 10,000 women per year, the lowest among COCs.
Risk factors include smoking, obesity, immobility, and a personal or family history of thrombosis. Warning signs of DVT include sudden leg pain, swelling, and redness.
Warning signs of PE include sudden chest pain and breathlessness. Warning signs of stroke include sudden facial drooping, arm weakness, and speech difficulty.
Cancer risk
There is a small increased risk of breast cancer among current COC users, which returns to baseline approximately 10 years after stopping.
Combined oral contraceptives significantly reduce the risk of ovarian cancer (by approximately 50% after 5 years of use) and endometrial cancer.
These protective effects persist for many years after discontinuation.
When to seek urgent advice
Contact your GP or call NHS 111 for persistent headaches, mood changes, breast lumps, or abnormal bleeding.
Call 999 or attend A&E for sudden severe chest pain, sudden breathlessness, sudden severe headache, sudden weakness or numbness, sudden severe leg pain or swelling, or sudden visual disturbance.
Report suspected adverse reactions to the MHRA at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk .
Warnings and precautions
Contraindications
Logynon must not be used in women with active or past VTE, active or past arterial thromboembolism, known thrombogenic conditions, migraine with aura, diabetes with vascular complications, uncontrolled hypertension, current or past breast cancer, severe liver disease or liver tumours, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, or known pregnancy.
Cardiovascular risk assessment
Women aged 35 and over who smoke must not use combined oral contraceptives.
Obesity (BMI above 30), family history of thrombosis, and multiple cardiovascular risk factors require careful assessment using the UKMEC criteria.
Blood pressure should be measured before prescribing and at annual review.
Drug interactions
Enzyme-inducing medicines (rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, topiramate at high doses, St John's wort) reduce contraceptive efficacy. Women taking these medicines should use a non-hormonal or progestogen-only method. The FSRH provides specific switching guidance.
Breastfeeding
Logynon is not recommended during the first 6 weeks postpartum for breastfeeding women, as oestrogen can reduce milk supply. Progestogen-only contraception is preferred during breastfeeding.
How to get Logynon in the UK
Logynon is a prescription-only medicine.
Your GP, family planning clinic, sexual health clinic, or an authorised online prescriber registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) can prescribe it after a clinical assessment including blood pressure measurement and medical history review.
Contraception is provided free of charge on the NHS, so there is no prescription charge for Logynon regardless of which part of the UK you live in.
Making an informed contraceptive choice
Choosing the right contraceptive involves considering effectiveness, convenience, side effects, health risks, and personal preferences.
The FSRH recommends that healthcare professionals discuss all available methods with women so they can make an informed decision.
Long-acting reversible contraceptives (the implant, hormonal coil, and copper coil) are more effective than pills because they do not depend on daily adherence, but many women prefer the flexibility and control that oral contraception provides.
Regular review with your prescriber ensures that your chosen method continues to be appropriate as your circumstances change.
Sources
- Logynon Coated Tablets, Summary of Product Characteristics (EMC)
- Levonorgestrel with ethinylestradiol, British National Formulary (BNF)
- FSRH Clinical Guideline: Combined Hormonal Contraception
- Combined contraceptive pill, NHS
- FSRH UK Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use
- MHRA Yellow Card Scheme
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