Expert: Dr Alan Galbraith - 9/7/2009

Question
Hi I have read your answer and I found the site that I have received the information from. The site is: http://www.medhelp.org/drugs/levonorgestrel/show/4026 So from what info i have form you, the levonorgestrel continues to work after 5 years?

Answer
Dear Kendra

Now I understand. What this site is really saying is that they do not advise using this contraceptive for more than 5 years not that it stops working. This to a certain extent is a copout by the manufacturers as the adverse effects may increase after this time. Personally, my opinion is that it is OK to carry on taking this as long as your blood pressure, liver function tests and some other path tests are OK. Most contraception experts are of the same opinion. Therefore i would advise you to speak to your prescriber about this and seek her/his opinion regarding these tests.

Hope this makes sense.

Regards

Dr Alan Galbraith