Alesse is a combination contraceptive pill containing ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel. It is taken for 21 days with seven days of "reminder" placebo pills. While it is highly effective as a birth control method---although no contraceptive is 100 percent effective---it is not a preventative for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Myocardial Infarction
A very serious potential side effect of Alesse is the possibility of a myocardial infarction or heart attack. A heart attack may occur because of a blockage of blood flowing into or out of the heart. Symptoms of a heart attack include pain in the chest that may extend to the jaw, teeth, back, arm or shoulder. Symptoms also may include shortness in breath, nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue and sweating.
Cancer
A rare symptom of taking Alesse is cancer. The types of cancer the drug may cause include cancers of the female reproductive system and breast cancer. Ovarian cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic, may have symptoms that also appear from common problems such as bladder or digestive maladies. Such symptoms may include pressure in the abdomen, bloating or swelling in the abdomen, sudden need to urinate, pain or discomfort in the pelvic area, nausea, gas or indigestion that continues, constipation, menstrual changes, decreased appetite, pain in the lower back, apparent abdominal weight gain and dyspareunia which is pain experienced during sexual intercourse. Symptoms of breast cancer can include pitting of the breast or skin over it, breast redness, a lump or thicker areas of the breast, discharge of blood from nipples, nipple skin that flakes or peels, breast shape or size changes or a nipple that becomes inverted.
Amenorrhea
The use of Alesse contraceptives may produce a condition in which the menstrual cycle is stopped. This is called amenorrhea. This may not prevent you from becoming pregnant once you cease using Alesse. When amenorrhea occurs naturally, oral contraceptives may be prescribed to treat it.
Budd-Chiari Syndrome
Budd-Chiari syndrome is a condition in which the veins to the liver are obstructed. Alesse may cause Budd-Chiari syndrome to occur, according to RxList.com. Symptoms of this syndrome include hepatomegaly also known as an enlarged liver, jaundice or a skin or eye yellowing, liver dysfunction, a fever or abdominal pain. You also may experience nausea and vomiting, concentration difficulties, drowsiness or confusion.
Other Side Effects
The use of Alesse 28 also may cause some more common side effects Some of these may be less serious than others, but if they don't go away, tell your physician about them. They may include sensitivity to contact lenses, nausea, changes in the libido, changes in mood, vaginitis, nervousness, vomiting, an allergic rash, pain in the abdomen and impairing of the function of the kidneys.
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