Today I went to buy birth control pills (避孕药 bi4 yun4 yao4) and the pharmacist tried to sell me a different version of the pill called Minulet, 敏定偶 (min3 ding4 ou3).
I decided to buy my regular pill, Marvelon (吗富隆, ma3 fu4 long2) because it’s not a good idea to switch birth control pills just like that. But anyway I did a little research into Minulet when I got home. Like Marvelon, Minulet is mono-phasic, meaning each pill contains the same dose. This kind of pill is also called a “combination pill” because it contains a combination of estrogen and progestin. (It’s not the “minipill,” a progestin-only pill.) (Source: Go Ask Alice)
Anyway, I don’t see any reason to change what I’m taking. They look pretty comparable, but if you’re looking for an alternative to Marvelon, maybe you should try it. I did find one person in the UK that was convinced Minulet was a pretty bad pill causing dangerous blood clots and another report of someone experiencing extreme mood swings and depression, but who knows. You can compare these to the reviews of Marvelon here. For what it’s worth, I haven’t experienced any noticeable side effects with Marvelon, and I’ve been taking it since Sept. 2006.
Comparison of Birth Control Pills Available Over-the-Counter in Kunming, China
| brand name | Minulet | Marvelon |
| hanzi | 敏定偶 | 吗富隆 |
| pinyin | min3 ding4 ou3 | ma3 fu4 long2 |
| price per month | ~24 rmb | 16-20 rmb |
| pharmacies in Kunming that sell it | ||
| each active pill contains |
|
|
| company | Wyeth | Organon |
| pill website(s) | ||
| reviews | Minulet Good or Bad? | Marvelon Good or Bad? |
| other pills with same active ingredients | Femodene, Femodene ED, Femodette, Tri-Minulet, Triadene | Mercilon |
HEY! Before you start taking any birth control, you should consult with your doctor. Side effects can be severe and people with certain medical conditions should avoid taking the pill. And remember, the pill can prevent pregnancy, but it CANNOT PROTECT YOU AGAINST SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES INCLUDING HIV/AIDS.
Sources:
Marvelon on MedBroadcast.com
Marvelon on netdoctor.co.uk
Minulet on Wyeth.com.cn
Minulet on netdoctor.co.uk
Previous Posts About Birth Control in China:
Birth Control in China (September 15, 2006)
Birth Control in China - Update (November 13, 2006)
If you have questions about birth control in China, feel free to contact me!
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4 comments ↓
Hi, I’m going to China for a year, and this is exactly the information I needed. These pills are not minipills or progestin-only pills, though. They are considered combination pills, since they contain estrogen and progestin together. Anyway, I’m going to bookmark your page. Thanks for the awesome advice!
Beth,
Oh, oops! Thanks for letting me know that I mis-labeled that. Made the edit on the post.
Best of luck in China!
–Elizabeth
Hello, Elizabeth,
I’m also dear friends with Michael Sutherland. I googled him, and found your posting. I’m friends with his family. If you’d like to connect with any of them, or with me, email me at the above address.
love
Nancy
Just to let you know, they also sell diane 35 for around the 50-60rmb in watsons and some local pharmacies, at least in Guangdong anyway.
I’ve also seen at least another 2-3 Chinese brands that are made in China for under 20rmb, not sure I would trust them though.
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