Loryna

What is Loryna?

Loryna is a combined birth control pill that comes in packs of 28: 21 active, 7 inactive. It’s over 99% effective if used correctly . As well as protecting against pregnancy, Loryna can also help make periods lighter and reduce the uncomfortable symptoms of PMT.

The levels of hormones in Loryna are relatively low compared to other birth control pills, which is better if you’re sensitive to higher levels of hormones. You might also find that lower-dose birth control pills help you avoid some side effects, including light or infrequent periods, vaginal dryness, appetite increase, weight gain, leg cramps, mood changes, skin problems, and low sex drive.

Loryna is very similar to Yaz, Nikki, Gianvi, Vestura, and Jasmiel, but it tends to be cheaper than the most popular equivalent Yaz. So if the price is a factor for you, Loryna might be a better choice.

It’s a lower dose alternative to pills such as Yasmin, Ocella, Zarah, Syeda, and Zumandimine. So if you’ve taken one of these before and you’ve had mild side effects with them, Loryna could be a good option for you.

How does Loryna work?

The hormones in Loryna work in three ways. First, they stop ovulation from occurring in the first place. In case that’s not enough and you end up ovulating anyway, which is unlikely, the hormones prevent the build-up of the uterine wall, making it nearly impossible for an egg to implant there. And just to be extra safe, the hormones make your cervical fluid thicker so sperm can’t get through . All of these factors combined make it highly unlikely for pregnancy to happen. And it also helps make periods easier.

What doses of Loryna are there?

Loryna only comes in one dose: 3mg of drospirenone and 0.02mg of ethinyl estradiol. It’s a low-dose pill, but you can get other pills with the same hormones at a higher dose if that’s better for you.

Keep in mind that a lower dose isn’t any less effective at preventing pregnancy. But if you need a stronger dose to help you control menstrual symptoms such as heavy periods and PMT, you’ll need to switch to a different pill. Some pills with the same hormones at a higher dose are Yasmin and Ocella.

How to take Loryna

Taking your birth control correctly is very important. If you miss a pill or more or tend to take the pills later than you should, the effectiveness of the pills reduces slightly, and your risk of pregnancy is higher. The clinician who prescribes your birth control will discuss how to take it, as well as answer any question you might have. But there are a few general guidelines you can always keep in mind:

• Take a pill every day with a glass of water. You don’t need to have food with it, but you can if you want (it isn’t affected by food so doesn’t make any difference).
• When you first start taking birth control it won’t be completely effective for the first week, so keep using a barrier contraception method for at least seven days (such as a condom or spermicide).
• Take your pill every day at the same time.
• If you’re not used to taking pills and need a little reminder, set an alarm on your phone to ring at the same time every day, and always have the pills with you in case you’re out and need to take one.

How long does it take Loryna to work?

Loryna doesn’t protect you from pregnancy as soon as you start using it. Usually, it takes about a week for the hormones to reach optimum levels and get to work efficiently in the body. For that reason, you should carry on using barrier methods of contraception for the first seven days, such as a condom or spermicide. After that waiting period, you should be protected by the pill.

What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Loryna?

If you’re more than 12 hours late taking your pill, it counts as missed. Read the package insert to find out what you should do next if this happens. If you forget to take your pill you should take it as soon as you remember, even if it means taking two on the same day. If you’ve missed more than one day, you only need to take your most recent missed one. Keep in mind that missing a pill or more during your cycle can cause the effectiveness rate of birth control to drop, so to be safe you should use a condom or spermicide until your next cycle starts. If you accidentally took more Loryna than you should, let your doctor know. But generally, you don’t need to worry. The toxicity of the pills is low, and there have been no reported cases of overdose with the pill . Taking too much birth control can lead to nausea and vaginal bleeding. If these symptoms are mild they'll normally pass on their own. But if your symptoms are severe and persistent, you should seek emergency medical attention.