Saheli Tablet: A Complete Guide to Uses, Benefits, and Contraceptive Effectiveness

Looking for a birth control pill that doesn’t mess with your hormones? Saheli tablet might be the answer. It is India’s first and only non-hormonal oral contraceptive pill, developed by the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI). Unlike daily hormonal pills, this one is taken just once a week, making it super easy to follow. In this guide, we will tell you everything about this tablet, from its uses and benefits to dosage, side effects, and price.

What Is Saheli Tablet?

Saheli tablet is a non-hormonal contraceptive pill that contains Centchroman (Ormeloxifene) 30 mg as its active ingredient. It works as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), which means it acts differently depending on the tissue. In the uterus, it works as an antiestrogen, it changes the uterine lining (endometrium) and prevents a fertilised egg from implanting itself. The best part? It does not prevent ovulation, and thus the natural cycle of your body remains intact largely.

This tablet has been tested clinically and accepted by the Indian government, hence becoming a reliable option for millions of women in the country.

Saheli Tablet Composition

The composition of this tablet is simple. Centchroman (Ormeloxifine) is 30 mg in each tablet. It is neither a steroid nor a hormone. This is what makes this pill unique compared to the rest of the oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) in the market. Due to the absence of synthetic hormones in this tablet, the tablet does not have most of the side effects that are common while using hormonal pills, such as mood swings.

Saheli Tablet Uses

The cardinal uses of this tablet are:

1. Contraception (birth control): It is primarily utilized to help to avoid unwanted pregnancy in an irreversible and harmless manner.
2. Heavy menstrual bleeding: It also assists in decreasing the excessive menstrual blood flow and eliminates painful periods.
3. Dysfunctional uterine bleeding: Physicians even use this tablet to control abnormal uterine bleeding.

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This pill can be used by any woman who desires to have an effective contraceptive, which is reversible. It is also seen to be appropriate for breastfeeding mothers who want a safe method of birth control.

Saheli Tablet Dose

To work effectively, it is actually important to know the correct dose of this tablet. Here’s the simple schedule:

• First 3 months: One tablet Saheli once or twice per week, e.g., every Sunday and Wednesday.
• Since the 4th month: Use one tablet per week, on the same day of the week.
• Starting date: Find a day in your menstrual cycle when you start taking your first pill, or as your physician tells you.

You can do it with or without food, although you should attempt to have it at a similar time of the week so as to achieve the best outcome. The fact that it is done weekly is a huge plus over the daily hormonal pills because you will hardly ever forget to take a dose.

Benefits of This Tablet

Saheli tablet has various reasons for standing out:

1. Non-hormonal: No artificial hormones will prevent the occurrence of side effects and disruption of your natural-hormonal balance.
2. Easy to swallow weekly dose: Unlike other pills that people have to take every day, this tablet can be taken once or twice per week, which is easy to keep since the person may have a hectic schedule to follow.
3. Reversible: Fertility is brought back after you stop using it, hence you can conceive at any time you are ready.
4. No ovulation inhibition: The ovulation and menstrual cycle are normal.
5. Relieves period pain: It is useful in treating heavy bleeding, menstruation, and painful periods.
6. Affordable and accessible: It is cheap and generally accessible all over India.

Saheli Tablet Side Effects

Although the Saheli tablet side effects are not as serious as the hormonal pills, the women can develop:

• Delayed menstrual periods
• Weight gain
• Mild nausea
• Headache
• Breast tenderness
• Hypertension (on infrequent occasions)

These side effects are not very frequent and tend to die down with time. But in case any of the symptoms bother or continue, visit your doctor immediately.

What If You Miss a Dose?

Failure to take a dose of this tablet may reduce its efficacy. Here’s what you should do :

Easy to remember: In order to rely on the recall, take the missed medication as soon as you recall and resume your daily routine.

Recollections after 2 days: The pill should still be taken. However, you need a backup method of birth control, such as condoms, until you next get your period.

Recalled over 1 week: You should restart the complete dosage cycle. On the first day of your next period, you should take a tablet twice a week for three months, then once a week. Always use condoms as insurance.

Do not miss a dose and take another one.

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Safety Precautions and Warnings

The following are the main points to remember when using the Saheli tablet:

• The product is not safe for pregnant women and those with hormone-sensitive cancers.
• It should be avoided by women who have severe liver disease.
• Should not be used by women who do not have PCOS or have extremely irregular periods without consulting a physician.
• Alcohol should be restricted during the use of this drug.
• It should not be taken as an emergency contraception. It is no more than a normal birth control pill.

Some medications, such as Rifampicin, Carbamazepine, Phenobarbital, and Phenytoin, can be taken with this tablet. Thus, always ensure that you give information to your doctor about any continuing medications.

Saheli Tablet Price

The price of this tablet is very low. A pack of 8 tablets (8 pills) costs nearly ₹131 to ₹142 rupees. While Saheli Plus (10 tablets per strip) is available at approximately ₹79-₹80 per strip. Prices can be slightly differentiated by the pharmacy or even on the Internet. This tablet is one of the cheapest contraceptives in India.

Frequently Asked Questions