Frequently
asked questions

NEXTSTELLIS is a birth control pill that uses 2 hormones to prevent pregnancy. It combines a type of progestin called drospirenone and a unique estrogen called E4 (estetrol). E4 is the first and only plant-sourced estrogen that is identical to the naturally occurring human E4 that circulates between mother and baby during pregnancy.

When taken as directed, NEXTSTELLIS is 98% effective at preventing pregnancy. NEXTSTELLIS may be less effective if your body mass index (BMI) is 30 kg/m ² or higher. It is not known whether NEXTSTELLIS is safe and effective in those with a BMI of 35 kg/m ² or higher, as they were not included in the clinical studies.

NEXTSTELLIS is the only birth control pill made with a type of estrogen called estetrol, also known as E4.

Ninety-nine percent of birth control pills that contain estrogen use a modified form of estrogen called ethinyl estradiol. E4 is unique because it can be found naturally in the body, circulating between mother and baby during pregnancy. The E4 in NEXTSTELLIS is produced from a plant source.

When studied, women taking NEXTSTELLIS reported low rates of side effects often associated with birth control pills, including acne (3.7%), breast symptoms like pain and tenderness (5.4%), and lowered sex drive (2%).

Other common side effects experienced were changes in mood (9.1%), irregular bleeding (10.8%), headache (6.3%), and cramps during your period (3.7%).

You can learn more about potential risks and side effects within the website.

In clinical trials, most women taking NEXTSTELLIS had predictable monthly bleeding. Less than 2% experienced breakthrough bleeding. This was most common in the first month and became less common over time.

It’s normal for your body to take a few months to adjust. Meaning it’s normal to have some spotting between periods when starting the pill. Spotting is any light bleeding that doesn’t require the use of sanitary protection (even pantyliners).

Some people may miss their period while taking hormonal birth control, even when they are not pregnant. However, if you miss a period and have not taken NEXTSTELLIS according to the directions, or miss 2 periods in a row, or feel like you may be pregnant, contact your healthcare provider. If you have a positive pregnancy test, you should stop taking NEXTSTELLIS.

Start on the first day of your natural menstrual period

• If you start taking NEXTSTELLIS on any day other than the first day of your natural menstrual period, use a backup non-hormonal birth control method (such as condoms or spermicide) until you have taken 1 active (pink) pill every day for 7 days
• For more information on the right time to start NEXTSTELLIS, please refer to the Prescribing Information for guidance
• Continue taking the pills in order every day, including the white pills at the end of your pack. You can explore tips on how to stick to your schedule here. Talk to your healthcare provider for any additional questions concerning your pill schedule.

You can explore tips on how to stick to your schedule here.

If you miss 1 pink active pill in Week 1, 2, or 3:

• Take it as soon as you remember. Take the next pill at your regular time. This means you may take 2 pills in 1 day
• Then continue taking 1 pill every day until you finish the pack
• You do not need to use a backup non-hormonal birth control method if you have sex

If you miss 2 or more pink pills during Week 1 or 2:

• Take 1 missed pill as soon as you can, and take the pill for the current day (taking 2 pills on the same day)
• Throw out the other missed pills and continue taking 1 pill per day until you finish the month
• Use backup non-hormonal contraception until you have taken the pink pills at the appropriate time for 7 days in a row

If you miss 2 pink pills during Week 3

• Take it as soon as you remember. Take the next pill at your regular time. This means you may take 2 pills in 1 day
• Throw out the other missed pills and continue taking 1 pill per day
• When you finish taking the remainder of the pink pills, throw the white pills out and start your next pack of NEXTSTELLIS
• Use backup non-hormonal contraception until you have taken the pink pills at the appropriate time for 7 days in a row

Talk to your healthcare provider for any additional questions concerning your pill schedule.

You may stop taking the pill whenever you wish. Consider first talking to your healthcare provider for a prepregnancy checkup before you stop taking the pill.