Estradiol and Dienogest

Generic name: Estradiol and Dienogest [ es-tra-DYE-ole-& dye-EN-oh-jest ]
Brand name: Natazia
Drug class: Contraceptives

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 13, 2024.

Uses of Estradiol and Dienogest:

• It is used to prevent pregnancy.
• It is used to treat heavy bleeding during monthly periods (menstruation).
• It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Estradiol and Dienogest?

• If you have an allergy to estradiol, dienogest, or any other part of estradiol and dienogest.
• If you are allergic to estradiol and dienogest; any part of estradiol and dienogest; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have had any of these health problems: Blood clots, blood clotting problem, breast cancer or other cancer where hormones make it grow, diseased blood vessels in the brain or heart, disease of a heart valve with problems, heart disease, chest pain caused by angina, heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, liver disease, liver tumor, very bad headache or migraine, or diabetes that affects blood flow.
• If you have had any of these health problems: Endometrial cancer, cancer of the cervix or vagina, or vaginal bleeding where the cause is not known.
• If you have surgery and need bedrest.
• If you turned yellow during pregnancy or with estrogen-based or hormone contraceptive use.
• If you are pregnant or may be pregnant. Do not take estradiol and dienogest if you are pregnant.
• If you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with estradiol and dienogest.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take estradiol and dienogest with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Estradiol and Dienogest?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take estradiol and dienogest. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists. This medicine may need to be stopped before certain types of surgery as your doctor has told you. If estradiol and dienogest is stopped, your doctor will tell you when to start taking estradiol and dienogest again after your surgery or procedure.
• This medicine may raise the chance of blood clots, a stroke, or a heart attack. Talk with the doctor.
• Talk with your doctor if you will need to be still for long periods of time like long trips, bedrest after surgery, or illness. Not moving for long periods may raise your chance of blood clots.
• If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), talk with your doctor. This medicine may raise blood sugar.
• Check your blood sugar as you have been told by your doctor.
• High blood pressure has happened with drugs like this one. Have your blood pressure checked as you have been told by your doctor.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• Be sure to have regular breast exams and gynecology check-ups. You will also need to do breast self-exams as you have been told.
• This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take estradiol and dienogest.
• Certain drugs, herbal products, or health problems could cause estradiol and dienogest to not work as well. Be sure your doctor knows about all of your drugs and health problems.
• This medicine does not stop the spread of diseases like HIV or hepatitis that are passed through blood or having sex. Do not have any kind of sex without using a latex or polyurethane condom. Do not share needles or other things like toothbrushes or razors.
• Do not use in children who have not had their first menstrual period.
• If you have any signs of pregnancy or if you have a positive pregnancy test, call your doctor right away.

How is this medicine (Estradiol and Dienogest) best taken?

Use estradiol and dienogest as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take estradiol and dienogest at the same time of day.
• Do not miss a dose by more than 12 hours.
• Take with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
• Do not skip doses, even if you do not have sex very often.
• After starting estradiol and dienogest, you may need to use a non-hormone type of birth control like condoms to prevent pregnancy for some time. Follow what your doctor has told you to do about using a non-hormone type of birth control.
• If you throw up or have diarrhea, estradiol and dienogest may not work as well to prevent pregnancy. Use an extra form of birth control, like condoms, until you check with your doctor.
• If your monthly cycle is 28 days and you miss 2 periods in a row, take a pregnancy test before starting a new dosing cycle.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• If it has been less than 12 hours since a missed dose, take a missed dose as soon as you think about it and go back to your normal time.
• If a dose is missed, check the package insert or call the doctor to find out what to do. If using estradiol and dienogest to prevent pregnancy, another form of birth control may need to be used for some time to prevent pregnancy.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
• Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
• Very upset stomach or throwing up.
• Weakness on 1 side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, drooping on one side of the face, or blurred eyesight.
• Low mood (depression).
• Mood changes.
• Feeling very tired or weak.
• Very bad belly pain.
• Swelling.
• A lump in the breast, breast pain or soreness, or nipple discharge.
• Vaginal itching or discharge.
• Spotting or vaginal bleeding that is very bad or does not go away.
• Bulging eyes.
• Change in eyesight.
• Loss of eyesight.
• Change in how contact lenses feel in the eyes.
• Call your doctor right away if you have signs of a blood clot like chest pain or pressure; coughing up blood; shortness of breath; swelling, warmth, numbness, change of color, or pain in a leg or arm; or trouble speaking or swallowing.

Related/similar drugs

tranexamic acid, norethindrone, levonorgestrel, medroxyprogesterone, Yaz, Provera, Depo Provera, Mirena, Lysteda, Liletta

What are some other side effects of Estradiol and Dienogest?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Pimples (acne).
• Weight gain.
• Headache.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Cramps.
• Bloating.
• Enlarged breasts.
• Breast soreness.
• Period (menstrual) changes. These include spotting or bleeding between cycles.
• Lowered interest in sex.
• This medicine may cause dark patches of skin on your face. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen and wear clothing and eyewear that protects you from the sun.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Estradiol and Dienogest?

• Store at room temperature.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about estradiol and dienogest, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer