Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Lolo.

Blood clots: Lolo may increase the chance of blood clot formation, causing reduction of blood flow to organs or the extremities.

If you have a history of clotting you may be at increased risk of experiencing blood clot-related problems such as heart attack, stroke, or clots in the deep veins of your leg. Discuss with your doctor how Lolo may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Lolo, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

If you experience symptoms such as sharp pain and swelling in the leg, difficulty breathing, chest pain, blurred vision or difficulty speaking, contact your doctor immediately.

Blood pressure: If you have high blood pressure, discuss with your doctor how Lolo may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Lolo, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

You may need to visit your doctor more frequently to have your blood pressure checked while using Lolo. Occasionally, high blood pressure may develop with the use of hormonal contraceptives. This may require stopping Lolo.

Breast cancer: Increasing age and a strong family history are the most significant risk factors for the development of breast cancer. Other established risk factors include Obesity, not having had children, and a late age at first full-term pregnancy. The identified groups of women that may be at increased risk of developing breast cancer before Menopause are women who have used birth control pills for more than 8 years or who started using them at an early age. For a few women, the use of birth control pills may accelerate the growth of an existing but undiagnosed breast cancer.

If you are taking birth control pills, learn how to perform a breast self-examination. Notify your doctor any time you detect a lump. A yearly clinical breast examination is also recommended because, if breast cancer develops, medications that contain estrogen may cause it to grow quickly.

Cervical cancer: Some studies have found an increase of cancer of the cervix in women who use hormonal contraceptives, although this finding may be related to factors other than the use of oral contraceptives.

Chronic infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) is believed to be the most important risk factor for cervical cancer. Women who use combination oral contraceptives (COCs) for a long time may have a slightly higher chance of getting cervical cancer. This may not be caused by the contraceptive itself but may be related to sexual behavior and other factors.

Cholesterol: Blood cholesterol or triglyceride levels may increase while taking Lolo. People with cholesterol problems should discuss with their doctor how Lolo may affect their medical condition, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Depression: Hormones, such as estrogen, have been known to cause mood swings and symptoms of depression. If you have had clinical depression in the past, you may be more likely to experience it again while taking Lolo. If you have depression or a history of depression, discuss with your doctor how Lolo may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Lolo, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

If you experience symptoms of depression such as poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, or notice them in a family member who is taking Lolo, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Diabetes: Current low-dose birth control pills have very little effect on blood glucose control. If you have diabetes or a family history of diabetes, your doctor may want you to monitor your blood glucose closely to detect any worsening of blood sugar control after starting birth control pills.

If you have diabetes or are at risk for developing diabetes, discuss with your doctor how Lolo may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Lolo, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Eyes: Women who are pregnant or who take birth control pills may experience fluid build-up in the cornea of the eye, which may cause visual disturbances and changes in tolerance to contact lenses, especially rigid contact lenses. Women who wear soft contact lenses usually do not experience difficulties. If you experience visual changes or alterations in tolerance to contact lenses, you may need to stop wearing the lenses temporarily or permanently.

Rarely, blood clots may form in the blood vessels in the eye, causing vision loss. Report any vision changes to your doctor immediately.

Fibroids: If you have fibroids (leiomyomata), your doctor should closely monitor your condition. If sudden enlargement, pain, or tenderness occurs, contact your doctor to see if you need to stop taking the medication.

Gallbladder disease: Women who use birth control pills have a greater risk of developing gallbladder disease. If you notice severe pain in the abdomen (stomach area), fever, or yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice), contact your doctor immediately.

Headache: Birth control pills may cause migraine symptoms to develop or become worse. If you have a history of migraine headache, discuss with your doctor how Lolo may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Lolo, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Heart disease: Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious heart disease and death. Taking birth control pills increases this risk, especially with increasing age. Studies show evidence that women who smoke and are over 35 years old should not use birth control pills.

Other women who have a high risk for heart disease include those with diabetes, high blood pressure, or abnormal cholesterol levels, or those with a family history of these conditions. Whether taking birth control pills increases this risk is unclear.

For low-risk, non-smoking women of any age, the benefits of birth control pill use outweigh the possible cardiovascular risks of low-dose pills.

Liver function: If you have reduced liver function or have had liver problems, discuss with your doctor how Lolo may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Lolo, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Your doctor may want to test your liver function regularly with blood tests while you are taking Lolo.

If you experience symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain or swelling, and itchy skin, contact your doctor immediately.

Regular check-ups: You should have a yearly physical examination and follow-up visit with your doctor.

Return to fertility: After stopping birth control therapy, you should delay pregnancy until at least one normal menstrual cycle has occurred in order to date the pregnancy. An alternative birth control method (e.g., condoms) should be used during this time.

If you do not menstruate for 6 months or more after stopping birth control pills, notify your doctor.

Sexually transmitted infections: Birth control pills do not protect against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS. For protection against these, use latex condoms.

Surgery: If you have surgery planned, make sure all the health care professionals involved in your care are aware that you are taking Lolo. Surgery may increase the risk of developing blood clots, particularly if you are not going to be able to get up and move around for a while.

Pregnancy: The hormones in birth control pills can affect the developing fetus if taken by a woman who is pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking Lolo, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: The use of birth control pills while breast-feeding is not recommended. The hormonal components of the medication pass into breast milk and may reduce the quantity and quality of the breast milk. The long-term effects on the developing child are not known.

Before you begin taking a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should take Alesse.

Blood clots: Alesse may increase the chance of developing blood clots. If you have a history of developing blood clots or of blood clotting problems, you should not take Alesse. If you experience symptoms of a blood clot such as sharp pain and swelling in the calf or upper leg, sudden shortness of breath, crushing chest pain, blurred vision, or difficulty speaking, get immediate medical attention.

If you are immobilized (e.g., confined to bed for a long-term illness or accident), you will be at an increased risk of experiencing a blood clot and your doctor may recommend that you stop taking Alesse for a certain period of time.

Blood pressure: If you have high blood pressure, discuss with your doctor how Alesse may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Alesse, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

You may need to visit your doctor more frequently to have your blood pressure checked while using Alesse. Occasionally, high blood pressure may develop with the use of hormonal contraceptives. This may require stopping Alesse.

Breast cancer: Increasing age and a strong family history of breast cancer are the most significant risk factors in developing breast cancer. Other risk factors include Obesity, not having children, and a late age at the first full-term pregnancy.

The identified groups of women that may be at increased risk of developing breast cancer before Menopause are long-term users of birth control pills (more than 8 years) and those who start taking it at an early age. In a few women, the use of birth control pills may speed up the growth of an existing but undiagnosed breast cancer.

If you are taking birth control pills, you should learn breast self-examination. Notify your doctor any time you detect a lump. A yearly clinical breast examination is also recommended because, if a breast cancer should develop, medications that contain estrogen may cause the cancer to grow more quickly.

Cigarette smoking and heart disease: Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious heart disease and death. Birth control pills increase this risk, especially with increasing age. Research data support an upper age limit of 35 years for birth control pill use by women who smoke. All women are urged not to smoke while taking Alesse.

Other women who are at high risk for heart disease include those with diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, or a family history of these conditions. It is unclear whether taking birth control pills increases this risk.

For low-risk, non-smoking women of any age, the benefits of using low-dose birth control pills outweigh the possible risks of heart disease. Consequently, birth control pills may be used by these women up to the age of menopause.

Depression: Hormones, such as estrogen, have been known to cause changes in mood and symptoms of depression. If you have depression or a history of depression, discuss with your doctor how Alesse may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Alesse, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

If you experience symptoms of depression such as poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, or notice them in a family member who is taking Alesse contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Diabetes: Current low-dose birth control pills do not have a large effect on blood glucose control. If you have diabetes or are at risk for developing diabetes, discuss with your doctor whether any special monitoring is needed.

Eye disorders: Women who are taking birth control pills may experience fluid buildup in the cornea of the eye that may cause visual disturbances and changes in tolerance to rigid (i.e., hard) contact lenses. Soft contact lenses usually do not cause disturbances. If visual changes or alterations in tolerance to contact lenses occur, you may need to stop wearing them.

Fibroids: Alesse may worsen fibroids, causing sudden enlargement, pain, or tenderness. If you notice these effects, contact your doctor.

Gall bladder disease: Alesse can cause gall bladder disease to become worse. If you have gall bladder disease, discuss with your doctor how Alesse may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Alesse, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Inflammation of the pancreas: A small number of women who take levonorgestrel - ethinyl estradiol experience an increase in triglycerides in the blood. When triglyceride (a type of fat) levels are allowed to be high for a long period of time, inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) may develop. Pancreatitis can quickly become serious and life-threatening. If you develop signs of pancreatitis (e.g., upper left abdominal pain, back pain, nausea, Fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, swollen abdomen), contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Liver problems: Alesse may reduce liver function and can cause liver problems. If you have active liver disease, decreasing liver function, or liver tumours, you should not take Alesse. If you have a history of liver problems, discuss with your doctor how Alesse may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Alesse, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

If you experience symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain or swelling, and itchy skin, contact your doctor immediately.

Migraine and headache: The onset or worsening of a migraine or the development of new types of recurrent, persistent, or severe headaches should be reported to your doctor.

Regular checkups: Physical examinations and follow-up visits should be done three months after starting Alesse and then yearly by your doctor.

Return to fertility: After stopping birth control therapy, you should delay pregnancy until at least one normal spontaneous menstrual cycle has occurred in order to date the pregnancy. An alternative birth control method should be used during this time. If you do not menstruate for 6 months or more after stopping birth control pills, notify your doctor.

Sexually transmitted infections: Birth control pills do not protect against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV or AIDS. For protection against these infections, latex condoms should be used in addition to Alesse.

Surgery: Ideally, Alesse should be stopped at least one month before major scheduled surgery since prolonged bed rest can increase the risk of blood clots. Inform any health care professional involved in your care that you are taking birth control pills so the risk of blood clots is reduced.

Pregnancy: Levonorgestrel - ethinyl estradiol should not be taken during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking Alesse, contact your doctor.

Breast-feeding: It is not recommended to use birth control pills while breast-feeding. The hormonal components of the medication pass into breast milk and may reduce its quantity and quality. As well, their long-term effects on the developing child are not known.

Children: Adolescent girls who have not yet begun to menstruate and children under the age of 14 years should not take Alesse.

Seniors: Postmenopausal women should not take Alesse.