Levora

What is Levora?

The Levora pill is a combined contraceptive pill. It has two hormones in it: a progestin (levonorgestrel) and an estrogen (estradiol). These are synthetic versions of the natural hormones your body produces. These stop ovulation and make it harder for a fertilized egg to implant.

If you take it correctly, Levora is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.

How does Levora work for birth control?

Levora works by using hormones to trick your body into thinking that you’ve already ovulated.
Without ovulation, there’s no egg to fertilize. These hormones also make cervical mucus thicker so sperm can’t find a way through to them, even if one did release.

These hormones also stop the lining of the womb from getting thick. This means a fertilized egg can’t implant as easily, and that your periods might be lighter than usual.

How effective is the Levora pill?

When taken at the same time every day, Levora is over 99% effective.^[1] If you miss pills or take them inconsistently, its effectiveness can drop – this is known as typical use. Up to 9 out of 100 women may get pregnant over a year with typical use.

The closer you are to perfect use, the better chance Levora has of working effectively.

Is Levora safe?

Yes, Levora is considered safe – it’s in the safest category of combined pills. It’s also one of the pills with a lower associated risk of blood clots compared to some others that use different progestins.

Your physician will use your medical history to check for any risk factors before prescribing it.

Does Levora come in a low dose?

Not exactly. There are lower dose alternatives, but they’ll be called something else. Levora 150/30 (150 micrograms levonorgestrel/30 micrograms ethinyl estradiol) is the only dose of Levora pill there is at the moment.

You can get a pill called Enpresse. It’s almost the same as Levora but with a lower dose of progestin given in phases. There’s another pill called Junel 1/20 that is slightly different but has a lower estrogen dose. So if you take Levora and you feel like it might be giving you side effects, there are alternatives.

How should I take Levora?

Take one Levora tablet each day, for 28 days (there’s a little set of arrows on the pack to help you keep track of the days). It’s best to take it at the same time each day, so you might want to set a reminder or include taking your Levora pill in your bedtime or morning routine.

When can I start taking Levora?

You can start on the first day of your period for immediate protection. If you start on any other day, use condoms for the first 7 days. If you’re switching from another pill, start the day after your last active pill.

If you’ve recently given birth, speak to a doctor before starting Levora. Levora isn’t safe to use during breastfeeding.