Selene is an oral contraceptive indicated for the treatment of acne, mild hirsutism or polycystic ovary syndrome, for example, and is not indicated exclusively to prevent pregnancy.
This contraceptive contains ethinyl estradiol and cyproterone acetate in its composition, two substances that help regulate hormone levels in the body which, when altered, can cause increased skin oil, body hair or ovarian cysts.
The contraceptive Selene can be found in pharmacies or drugstores and should only be used with the indication and guidance of a gynecologist, for the treatment of the conditions described above.
What is it for
The contraceptive Selene is indicated for the treatment of:
- Seborrheic or papules-pustulous acnewhich consists of the presence of rounded, hardened and reddish elevations on the skin containing pus;
- cystic nodule acnewith the formation of internal nodules under the skin, on the face, back and chest;
- Mild hirsutismcharacterized by the presence of hair in regions of the body that normally do not have hair, such as the face, chest, belly and inner thigh;
- Polycystic ovary syndromewhich can lead to symptoms such as irregular menstruation or difficulty getting pregnant.
Selene is normally indicated for changes in the levels of androgen hormones circulating in the blood, as it helps regulate hormonal levels, reducing skin oil, body hair or ovarian cysts.
It is recommended that treatment with Selene be stopped as soon as symptoms improve, as advised by the gynecologist.
Does Selene prevent pregnancy?
Although Selene is an oral contraceptive, it should not be used exclusively to prevent pregnancy, being indicated only for the treatment of symptoms of changes in androgen hormones in women.
If you need a contraceptive just to prevent pregnancy, you should consult your gynecologist to assess the best option. See how to choose the best contraceptive.
How to take Selene
Selene must be taken orally, 1 tablet per day for 21 consecutive days, always at the same time until the pack is finished.
The start of treatment with Selene varies whether or not the woman used another hormonal contraceptive method, and it is recommended:
- To start treatment with Selene when no other hormonal contraceptive has been previously used: you must take the Selene tablet on the first day of your period and, after finishing the pack, you must take a 7-day break before starting the next one;
- To switch from combined hormone oral contraceptives to Selene: the start of treatment with Selene should be done on the day after stopping the previous contraceptive, or at most, on the day after the last day of break or taking inactive tablets without hormone from the previously used contraceptive;
- To switch from a vaginal ring or transdermal patch to Selene: You should start using Selene on the day you remove the vaginal ring or patch, or at most, on the day scheduled for the next application.
When vomiting or severe diarrhea occurs 3 to 4 hours after taking the pill, it is recommended to use another contraceptive method for the next 7 days.
What to do if you forget to take Selene
When you forget less than 12 hours after the usual time, you must take the forgotten pill and take the next pill at the correct time. In this case, the contraceptive effect of the pill will be maintained.
When forgetting more than 12 hours after the usual time, the following table should be consulted:
Generally, a woman runs the risk of becoming pregnant when she forgets to take it in the first week of the pack and if the person has had sexual intercourse in the previous 7 days. In the 2nd or 3rd week, the risk of pregnancy is lower if the woman has taken it correctly in the previous weeks.
If you forget more than 1 tablet from the same pack, it is recommended to consult your gynecologist.
The treatment time with Selene must be advised by the gynecologist, according to the condition to be treated, but generally varies from 3 to 12 months.
Possible side effects
The most common side effects of the contraceptive Selene are headache, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, weight gain, pain or increased sensitivity in the breasts, mood changes, depression or changes in sexual appetite.
Although they are rare, other side effects that may occur are intolerance to the use of contact lenses, vaginal discharge or thromboembolism.
Does Selene gain weight?
A common side effect of Selene treatment is increased body weight or swelling of the body due to fluid retention, which also leads to weight gain. However, this effect varies from woman to woman, and there are even cases in which there is a decrease in body weight.
Who shouldn’t use
Selene should not be used by people with a current or previous history of thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, heart attack, stroke, or angina pectoris that causes severe chest pain.
Furthermore, it should also not be used by people at high risk for clot formation or who suffer from a certain type of migraine accompanied by focal neurological symptoms, people with diabetes mellitus with blood vessel damage, with a history of liver disease, certain types of cancer or unexplained vaginal bleeding.
Selene should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women or people who are allergic to any of the components of the formula.
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Bibliography
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RUAN, X.; et al. Use of cyproterone acetate/ethinylestradiol in polycystic ovary syndrome: rationale and practical aspects. Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care. 22. 3; 183-190, 2017
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BITZER, J.; et al. The use of cyproterone acetate/ethinyl estradiol in hyperandrogenic skin symptoms – a review. Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care. 22. 3; 172-182, 2017
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EUROFARMA LABORATORIOS SA Selene® (ethinyl estradiol + cyproterone acetate). 2017. Available at:
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