Lutera is a hormone based contraceptive. Moreover, it's one of the more effective choices to prevent a pregnancy, more effective than contraceptives like condoms and spermicides. Lutera is also one of the few birth controls that can be used for emergency contraception. This medication also shares some of the benefits and risks of other oral contraceptives.
Function
Lutera is an oral contraceptive and hormone-based birth control method used to prevent a pregnancy. Lutera is essentially the same medicine as Alesse and Aviane. According to the National Drug Data File, the active medications are a progestin and an estrogen (Ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel), which prevents ovulation and make it difficult for sperm to reach and fertilize the egg.
Dosage
Typically, you take one white pill daily for 21 days followed by one pink pill (inactive) daily for seven days. The white pills are imprinted with 949 on one side and Watson on the other. The pink pills are imprinted with Watson on one side and P1 on the other.
Effectiveness
Like other forms of oral contraceptives, Lutera is very effective when used correctly. According to scientists at Watson Laboratories, Inc., a clinical trial showed 0.84 pregnancies for every 100 women who've taken Lutera, including women who failed to take Lutera according to directions. To increase effectiveness, take Lutera at the same time every day. The more white pills you miss; the more likely you are to become pregnant.
Emergency Contraception
Lutera is one the few birth control pills that can be used as emergency contraception. According to Planned Parenthood, you should take five white pills within 120 hours of unprotected intercourse and five more white pills 12 hours later.
Nursing Mothers
There's still debate over the usage of Lutera while nursing. Small amounts can pass to the milk, but they're little adverse side effects. Lutera may reduce the quantity and/or quality of breast milk.
Benefits
There are other benefits to Lutera. It helps regulate the menstrual cycle. Lutera may also reduce menstruation related problems like cramps, heavy menstrual flow and iron deficiency anemia. Ovarian cysts are also less likely to occur.
Side effects
The most common side effects of taking Lutera are not very serious. This includes melasma (skin darkening), bloating, nausea, vomiting, and mid-cycle bleeding. The mid-cycle bleeding is temporary, usually occurring only during the first few months of taking Lutera.
Like with other oral contraceptives, Lutera carries a risk of blood clots and the risk of having a stroke. In addition, smoking increases the heart disease risk factor in women who take oral contraceptives.
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