What are the benefits of the Marvelon pill?

October 9, 2025 •

5 min read

With typical use, combined oral contraceptives like Marvelon are about 93% effective at preventing pregnancy, but their advantages extend beyond contraception [1.7.1, 1.7.3]. So, what are the benefits of the Marvelon pill beyond preventing pregnancy?

Quick Summary

Marvelon is a combined oral contraceptive pill that not only prevents pregnancy with high efficacy but also offers numerous non-contraceptive benefits, such as regulating periods, reducing acne, and lowering the risk of certain cancers.

Key Points

Primary Function: Marvelon is a combined oral contraceptive that is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy with perfect use by stopping ovulation, thickening cervical mucus, and thinning the uterine lining [1.2.1].
Menstrual Health: It helps regulate periods, making them lighter and less painful, and can alleviate symptoms of PMS [1.2.2, 1.2.5].
Skin Benefits: Marvelon can improve acne due to its anti-androgenic properties, which reduce hormones like testosterone [1.2.5, 1.2.7].
Cancer Risk Reduction: Long-term use is associated with a significantly lower risk of developing ovarian, endometrial, and colon cancers [1.2.4, 1.3.2, 1.7.5].
Gynecological Management: It is used to manage symptoms of conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis [1.2.4, 1.3.1].
Key Risks: The most serious risk is an increased chance of developing blood clots (VTE), especially for individuals with risk factors like smoking or being over age 35 [1.2.2].
Medical Consultation is Essential: Due to potential risks and side effects, Marvelon must be prescribed by a doctor after a thorough health assessment [1.2.2, 1.5.1].

What is Marvelon?

Marvelon is a type of birth control known as a combined oral contraceptive pill [1.2.2]. It contains two synthetic female hormones: an estrogen (ethinylestradiol) and a progestin (desogestrel) [1.2.5, 1.4.6]. As a low-dose contraceptive, it provides a reliable and reversible method for preventing pregnancy when taken correctly [1.2.2]. Marvelon is a monophasic pill, meaning each of the 21 active pills in a pack contains a consistent dose of these hormones [1.6.7]. After 21 days of taking the pill, there is typically a 7-day break during which a withdrawal bleed, similar to a period, occurs [1.2.1].

How Marvelon Works

The primary function of Marvelon is to prevent pregnancy, which it accomplishes through a three-pronged mechanism of action [1.2.1, 1.4.5]:

Inhibition of Ovulation: The hormones in Marvelon suppress the release of gonadotropins, which are hormones that normally trigger the ovaries to release an egg each month. By preventing ovulation, there is no egg available for sperm to fertilize [1.4.1, 1.4.2].
Thickening of Cervical Mucus: The pill causes the mucus in the cervix to become thicker. This makes it more difficult for sperm to pass through the cervix and enter the uterus to reach an egg [1.2.2, 1.4.5].
Alteration of the Uterine Lining: The hormones also change the lining of the uterus (the endometrium), making it thinner and less suitable for a fertilized egg to implant and grow [1.2.1, 1.4.4].

When used perfectly, meaning taken every day without missing a dose, combined pills are over 99% effective [1.7.1]. However, typical use effectiveness is around 93%, accounting for human error like forgetting pills [1.7.3].

Contraceptive Benefits of Marvelon

The most direct benefit of Marvelon is its high reliability as a reversible contraceptive method [1.2.2]. If started on the first day of a menstrual cycle, it provides immediate protection against pregnancy [1.2.5]. Unlike some other contraceptive methods, it does not interrupt sexual activity [1.2.5]. Furthermore, fertility typically returns to normal shortly after discontinuing the pill [1.2.4].

Non-Contraceptive Health Benefits

Beyond pregnancy prevention, Marvelon and other combined oral contraceptives offer a wide array of secondary health benefits that can significantly improve quality of life for many users.

Menstrual Cycle Regulation and Symptom Relief

Regularity and Lighter Periods: Marvelon can make menstrual cycles more regular, predictable, and lighter [1.2.2, 1.2.5]. This can lead to a lower risk of iron-deficiency anemia [1.5.6].
Reduced Period Pain: Many users experience less severe menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea), and in some cases, period pain may disappear completely [1.2.2, 1.5.6]. This is because the pill reduces the production of prostaglandins, chemicals that cause uterine contractions and cramping [1.3.1].
Alleviation of PMS/PMDD: Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and the more severe Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) can be improved. By preventing ovulation, the pill stabilizes the hormonal fluctuations that can trigger these symptoms [1.2.2, 1.3.1].

Improvements in Skin and Hair

Marvelon is often noted for its positive effects on the skin [1.2.4]. The hormones in the pill can reduce the levels of androgens (male hormones) in the body [1.2.5, 1.3.2]. This anti-androgenic effect can lead to a significant improvement in hormonal acne [1.2.5]. It is a good option for those who have experienced acne problems with other types of pills [1.2.4].

Management of Gynecological Disorders

Combined pills like Marvelon are frequently prescribed to manage symptoms of various gynecological conditions:

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): By regulating hormones, Marvelon can help manage symptoms of PCOS, such as irregular periods and acne [1.2.4, 1.3.2].
Endometriosis: The pill can reduce the pelvic pain associated with endometriosis by limiting the growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus [1.3.1, 1.3.2].
Ovarian Cysts: Use of combined oral contraceptives can reduce the formation of new functional ovarian cysts [1.3.2, 1.5.6].

Reduced Cancer Risk

Long-term use of combined oral contraceptives has been shown to offer significant protection against certain types of cancer:

Ovarian and Endometrial Cancer: Studies have demonstrated that using the pill lowers the risk of developing both ovarian and endometrial (womb) cancer [1.2.5, 1.3.2, 1.7.5]. This protective effect can persist for many years even after stopping the medication [1.7.5].
Colon Cancer: Evidence also suggests a reduced risk of colon cancer among users of combined oral contraceptives [1.2.4, 1.3.2].

Comparison with Other Contraceptive Pills

Marvelon is a third-generation combined pill, primarily due to its progestin, desogestrel. How it compares to other pills often comes down to the type and dose of its hormones.


Feature	Marvelon (Monophasic)	Mercilon (Monophasic)	Yasmin (Monophasic)	Loestrin (Monophasic)
Estrogen (EE)	30 mcg [1.2.5]	20 mcg [1.6.5]	30 mcg	20 mcg
Progestin	Desogestrel (150 mcg) [1.2.5]	Desogestrel (150 mcg) [1.6.5]	Drospirenone	Norethindrone Acetate
Key Characteristics	Good for acne control; standard estrogen dose [1.2.4].	Lower estrogen dose may mean fewer side effects for some [1.6.5].	Anti-androgenic; can help with water retention.	Different progestin family (first-generation).
VTE Risk	Slightly higher risk of blood clots (VTE) compared to second-generation pills [1.2.2].	Slightly higher VTE risk, similar to Marvelon [1.6.4].	Higher VTE risk compared to second-generation pills.	Generally lower VTE risk than third-generation pills.

Note: This table is for informational purposes. The best pill choice is highly individual and must be determined with a healthcare provider. The main difference between Marvelon and Mercilon is the estrogen dose; Mercilon contains a lower dose (20mcg vs. 30mcg), which may be preferable for those sensitive to estrogen [1.6.5]. Gedarel is another brand that is very similar to Marvelon, containing the same active ingredients in the same amounts [1.6.6].

Potential Risks and Important Considerations

Despite its benefits, Marvelon is not suitable for everyone and carries potential risks. The most serious risk associated with combined hormonal contraceptives is an increased risk of blood clots, which can lead to deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, stroke, or heart attack [1.2.2]. This risk is small but higher for users of pills containing desogestrel, like Marvelon, compared to some other pills [1.2.2]. The risk is also elevated in women who smoke, are over 35, are very overweight, or have a personal or family history of blood clots [1.2.2, 1.5.1].

Other side effects can include headaches, nausea, breast tenderness, mood changes, and weight gain [1.5.6, 1.5.7]. Some women may experience breakthrough bleeding or spotting, especially during the first few months of use [1.5.1].

Conclusion

Marvelon is a highly effective contraceptive pill that offers a wealth of non-contraceptive benefits. Its ability to regulate menstrual cycles, reduce period pain, improve acne, and lower the risk of several serious cancers makes it a valuable medication for many women [1.2.2, 1.2.4, 1.2.5]. However, the decision to take Marvelon must be made in consultation with a healthcare provider who can assess individual health status, discuss the potential risks, particularly concerning blood clots, and determine if it is the most appropriate choice [1.2.2].

For more information, you can consult the Patient Information Leaflet on medicines.org.uk.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you start taking Marvelon on the first day of your period, you are protected from pregnancy immediately [1.2.5]. If you start on any other day, you should use an additional method of contraception, like condoms, for the first seven days [1.2.2].

If you miss a pill and it has been less than 12 hours since it was due, take it as soon as you remember. If it has been more than 12 hours, your contraceptive protection may be reduced. You should take the missed pill and use extra contraception for the next seven days. Refer to the patient information leaflet for detailed instructions [1.5.7].

Weight gain is listed as a possible side effect for some users of Marvelon [1.5.6]. However, individual responses vary, and not everyone will experience this side effect [1.2.5].

Yes, like other combined pills, you can take active Marvelon pills back-to-back without the 7-day break to skip your withdrawal bleed (period) [1.2.4]. You should discuss this with your doctor first.

They are very similar as they both contain the same active ingredients (desogestrel and ethinylestradiol), but they are not identical. Marvelon contains 30mcg of ethinylestradiol, while Mercilon is a lower-dose version with 20mcg [1.6.5].

The most serious risk is an increased chance of developing a blood clot in a vein or artery, which can lead to conditions like DVT, pulmonary embolism, stroke, or heart attack [1.2.2]. Other risks include potential mood changes, headaches, and a small increased risk of breast and cervical cancer [1.2.2, 1.5.6].

You should not take Marvelon if you smoke and are over 35 years old, as this significantly increases your risk of serious cardiovascular side effects like heart attack and stroke [1.5.1]. It is strongly advised to stop smoking if you use a combined contraceptive pill [1.2.2].