Lutera (Alesse)

Some women complain about weight gain when taking Lutera and other hormone-based birth control pills. While there's a chance that shifts in mood can cause overeating, it's mostly water retention (and not actual fat) that's to blame.

As with any new prescription, you should go over anything you're already taking with your doctor or Nurx advisor before starting on Lutera. This includes recreational drugs, over-the-counter meds, and even herbal supplements. Even something as relatively harmless as St. John's wort can cause Lutera to be less effective at preventing pregnancy.  There are certain meds you should absolutely bring up. These are aromatase inhibitors, cancer medications, HIV drugs, seizure medicines, and those used for chronic hepatitis C.

The risks are very low, but some women have experienced unwanted side effects when taking Lutera. Minor ones include breast tenderness, headaches, nausea, swollen feet or ankles, and slightly elevated blood pressure or blood sugar levels. Positive side effects are also a possibility, too — reduced acne, fewer mood swings, and other perks are fairly common. The chances of serious side effects are extremely unlikely, but some cases have been documented. Symptoms include heart disease, blood clotting, shortness of breath, migraines, vision problems, slurred speech, confusion, and fainting. Those who wear contacts or are nearsighted may notice vision problems as well. These may sound scary, but remember — they're very rare.

Pretty much every kind of prescription birth control comes with a tiny risk of allergies, including Lutera. The symptoms are usually mild and include rashes, itching, dizziness, trouble breathing, and swollen lips, throat, or tongue. Depending on your medical history, hormone-based birth control may not be for you. It's important to discuss your medical history with your physician or one of our helpful Nurx advisors before you get started on Lutera. This is especially the case if you've experienced troubles such as cancer, heart disease, blood clotting, diabetes, or high blood pressure.

Lutera should be available at just about any pharmacy in your area. It does require a prescription from a doctor, though. If you're hesitant to approach your family doctor about Lutera, or simply crave the privacy, discretion, and ease of the internet, give Nurx a try. We partner with real licensed doctors in every state we operate in. We also accept many forms of insurance here at Nurx. If you choose to pay out-of-pocket, Lutera is quite affordable since it's a generic brand. You can also save by choosing one of several other Alesse generics, such as Aviane, Vienva, or Lessina. We offer many payment options for the ultimate in convenience.

Lutera uses a blend of two hormones, estrogen and progestin, to make your body think it's pregnant so a real pregnancy won't happen. It's super easy to use. Simply take one pill every day, at the same time each day. Many women find that taking Lutera before bedtime or just after their evening meal helps reduce nausea and other side effects. After taking 21 days of white active pills, you'll switch to seven peach-colored ones. These are inactive pills with no hormones that are there to get you in the habit of taking your pill every day. 

Some women believe that birth control pills like Lutera can cause long-term fertility issues. This isn't true, however. If you change your mind about having a baby, you should return to full fertility within a cycle or two after stopping.