Microgynon 30 ED
Book a quick face-to-face video consultation with a certified prescribing pharmacist, nurse, or doctor. If approved, your Microgynon 30 ED will be prescribed* and delivered straight to your door with free next-day delivery†. No hidden fees. No delays. Just expert care.
* Includes Free Private Prescription & Consultation.
† Applies to UK only.


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MEDICAL INFORMATION
Microgynon 30 ED Key Facts
Other Related Names or Treatments
Microgynon 30, Levest, Rigevidon
About Microgynon 30 ED
Microgynon 30 ED is a combined hormonal contraceptive used to provide protection against pregnancy. It contains levonorgestrel, a progesterone and ethinylestradiol, an oestrogen as its active ingredients.
Microgynon 30 ED works by stopping the release of an egg each month from the ovaries, preventing ovulation during the menstrual cycle. It also makes cervical mucus thicker, making it more difficult for sperm to pass through the cervix, and makes the lining of the womb thinner, so fertilised eggs are less likely to implant in the uterus wall.
NowPatient offers the Microgynon 30 ED birth control pills for the prevention of pregnancy only, following an online consultation with a prescribing clinician.
Key facts of Microgynon 30 ED
- For the prevention of pregnancy
- There is no evidence that the Microgynon 30 ED pill causes weight gain
- Microgynon 30 ED has some common side effects which include headache and migraine
- It can be dangerous if you take Microgynon 30 ED with certain medications. If you’re not sure if it is safe, discuss this with the prescribing clinician
- Microgynon 30 ED will not prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Who is Microgynon 30 ED not suitable for?
Microgynon 30 ED may not be suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, speak to the prescribing clinician before taking Microgynon 30 ED if you:
- Are allergic to the active ingredients levonorgestrel or ethinylestradiol, or inactive ingredients such as lactose
- Have ever had a blood clot in the leg or lungs
- Have a family history of heart attacks or stroke
- Have ever had angina or transient ischaemic attack
- Suffer from migraines with aura
- Have a liver disease or any other liver problems
- Have kidney failure
- Have ever had breast cancer or cancer of the cervix, vagina or uterus
- Have unexplained vaginal bleeding
- Have suffered from jaundice, pemphigoid gestationis (a rash involving blisters of the hands and feet), or pruritus while pregnant
- Have a family history of breast cancer
- Have diabetes
- Have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
- Have haemolytic uraemic syndrome, high blood cholesterol, or sickle cell anaemia
- Have epilepsy
- Have systemic lupus erythematosus
How and where to get Microgynon 30 ED?
You can buy Microgynon 30 ED safely and securely from NowPatient. You can start a consultation today for free and if you qualify for treatment, you only pay for the cost of the medication. Delivery is made to your home or office from our registered pharmacy.
Our service is certified, safe and effective, and we only ever treat conditions. If you book a consultation with a prescribing clinician for a contraceptive, you can discuss if Microgynon 30 ED is a suitable treatment option for you.
At the end of the consultation, the clinician will decide if a treatment plan is suitable for you. If it is, the clinician will issue you with a prescription which can then be ordered, paid for and delivered directly to your chosen address by NowPatient.
Dosage and strength for Microgynon 30 ED for contraception
Microgynon 30 ED packs contain 21 active pills, each containing 30 micrograms of ethinylestradiol and 150 micrograms of levonorgestrel, and 7 inactive pills containing a placebo.
Information about how to take Microgynon 30 ED for contraception
Take 1 Microgynon 30 ED tablet each day, at the same time. (If you were taking Microgynon 30 you would take a 7 day break after 21 days). With Microgynon 30 ED you will continue taking a tablet every day without the 7 day break. You should expect a withdrawal bleed during the days when you are taking the placebo tablets. Start a new pack of Microgynon 30 ED immediatley after finishing your current pack. Take your first tablet in order of the day of the week and follow the directions printed on the pack.
If you forget to take a Microgynon 30 ED tablet, take the missed pill as soon as you are able to do so. You will need to use extra precautions such as a condom for the next 7 days. Also, read the patient information leaflet or speak to your healthcare provider if you need further medical advice.
What happens if you take too much Microgynon 30 ED?
If you take more than prescribed, then it can lead to some unpleasant side effects. You should talk to your doctor or reach out to one of our prescribing clinicians, if you have taken too much Microgynon 30 ED and you experience any of the following side effects.
What are the side effects of Microgynon 30 ED?
Side effects of Microgynon 30 ED are split into common and serious.
Common side effects include:
- Breast tenderness
- Breast pain
- Weight changes
- Breakthrough bleeding between periods
- Mood changes
- Headache and migraine
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
- Vaginal discharge
- Vaginal thrush
- High blood pressure
- Hair loss
Serious side effects include:
- Increased risk of blood clots
- Cervical cancer
If you experience any serious side effects, you should contact NHS 111.
If you experience a serious allergic reaction with the signs shown below you should contact emergency services on 999.
- Your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- You’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
- Your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
- Your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- You suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- Someone faints and cannot be woken up
Always report adverse effects to the MHRA yellow card reporting system. You can read more about this here How and where do I report side effects of my medication? – NowPatient
Information about taking Microgynon 30 ED at the same time as other medications or herbal supplements
There is not enough evidence to suggest there are any drug interactions between herbal supplements and Microgynon 30 ED. In any event, you should let your prescribing clinician know if you are taking any herbal supplements or other medications such as:
- Epilepsy treatments – phenytoin or carbamazepine
- Rifampicin
- HIV medicines – ritonavir
- Hepatitis C medicines – telaprevir or boceprevir
- Antifungal medicines – ketoconazole or griseofulvin
- St John’s Wort
- Medicines for high blood pressure, chest pain or irregular heartbeats – diltiazem or verapamil
Why might Microgynon 30 ED not work for contraception?
Microgynon 30 ED may not work for you and common reasons may be:
- Missed pills
- Taking other medicines that interfere with Microgynon 30 ED
- Microgynon 30 ED not being absorbed due to vomiting and diarrhoea
Can Microgynon 30 ED taken for contraception be taken long term?
Using medication like Microgynon 30 ED is safe, provided your doctor has approved it. You should speak to your doctor when deciding to stay on hormonal contraception long term.
Is there a herbal Microgynon 30 ED?
No. Herbal Microgynon 30 ED does not exist. If you have been marketed such a formulation, it may be fake.
Can women use Microgynon 30 ED?
Women can take Microgynon 30 ED for contraception, but it is not advised when breast-feeding. Speak to your doctor if you are considering taking Microgynon 30 ED while you are breast-feeding.
Should I avoid any particular food or drink when taking Microgynon 30 ED?
You can eat and drink normally when taking Microgynon 30 ED.
Alternatives to Microgynon 30 ED
Alternative methods of contraception include:
- Implants
- Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
- Oral birth control pills (combined oral contraceptive pill and progestogen only pill)
- Vaginal rings
- Barrier method – condoms, diaphragms
- Tubal ligation and vasectomy
- Emergency contraception
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
NowPatient has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that all material is factually accurate, complete, and current. However, the knowledge and experience of a qualified healthcare professional should always be sought after instead of using the information on this page. Before taking any drug, you should always speak to your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.
The information provided here about medications is subject to change and is not meant to include all uses, precautions, warnings, directions, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or negative effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a particular medication does not imply that the medication or medication combination is appropriate for all patients or for all possible purposes.
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FAQs
Answers to Popular Questions About Microgynon 30 ED
What is Microgynon 30 ED?
Microgynon 30 ED is a monophasic combined oral contraceptive pill containing levonorgestrel 150 micrograms and ethinylestradiol 30 micrograms. The ‘ED’ stands for ‘every day’ — the pack contains 21 active tablets and 7 inactive placebo tablets, so you take a pill every day without a break. It is the every-day version of Microgynon 30, the most widely prescribed combined pill in the UK.
How does Microgynon 30 ED differ from Microgynon 30?
Both contain the same active hormones. The only difference is that Microgynon 30 ED includes 7 placebo tablets to fill the 7-day hormone-free interval. This means you take a tablet every single day without needing to remember when to restart. Contraceptive effectiveness, side effects, and safety are identical.
How effective is Microgynon 30 ED?
Microgynon 30 ED is over 99% effective when taken correctly. As a levonorgestrel-containing pill, it carries the lowest VTE risk among combined pills (approximately 5–7 per 10,000 women per year). It is one of the most evidence-based and widely prescribed combined contraceptives in the UK.
How do I take Microgynon 30 ED?
Take one tablet daily at the same time, following the order on the blister pack. Take all 28 tablets: 21 active (beige) tablets followed by 7 inactive (white) placebo tablets. Do not take a break between packs — start a new pack immediately after the last placebo. A withdrawal bleed usually occurs during the placebo days.
What if I miss a Microgynon 30 ED pill?
If you miss an active tablet (one of the first 21): follow standard missed pill rules. Less than 24 hours late — take it immediately. More than 24 hours late — take the missed pill, use condoms for 7 days, and skip the placebo phase if fewer than 7 active tablets remain. If you miss a placebo tablet: discard it and continue as normal — no contraceptive risk.
What are the side effects of Microgynon 30 ED?
Side effects are the same as Microgynon 30: headaches, nausea, breast tenderness, mood changes, and breakthrough bleeding. These usually settle within 3 months. Serious side effects such as blood clots are rare. Seek urgent help for sudden severe headache, leg pain or swelling, chest pain, or breathlessness.
How can I get Microgynon 30 ED?
Microgynon 30 ED is available on NHS prescription from your GP, sexual health clinic, or through NowPatient’s online service. It is a good option for women who prefer the convenience of taking a pill every day without a break. NowPatient offers online consultations and home delivery.
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