Contraception
Progestogen-only Birth Control - "Mini Pill"
Discover the benefits and effectiveness of the progestogen-only birth control pill.
How does it prevent pregnancy?
- The Mini Pill prevents pregnancy by thickening the mucus in the cervix to stop sperm reaching an egg.
- The desogestrel progestogen-only pill can also stop ovulation.
How effective is it?
- If taken correctly, it’s more than 99% effective.
- With “typical use” of the progestogen-only pill (the way it’s taken by a lot of women), it’s only about 91% effective.
Advantages of the birth control pill
- You take a pill every day, with no break between packs of pills.
- The progestogen-only pill can be used if you cannot use contraception that contains estrogen.
- You can use it when breastfeeding.
- You can take the progestogen-only pill if you’re over 35 and you smoke.
- Your periods may stop or become lighter.
Potential downsides of the birth control pill
- You may not have regular periods while taking it – your periods may be lighter, more frequent, or may stop altogether, and you may get spotting between periods.
- It does not protect you against STIs.
- You must take the progestogen-only pill at the same time each day. If you take it more than 12 hours late, it may not be effective.
- You may develop acne.
- You may experience breast tenderness and breast enlargement.
- You may experience an increased or decreased sex drive.
- You may experience mood changes.
- You may have headaches and migraines.
- You may experience nausea or vomiting.
- The Mini Pill suppresses the production of your natural ovarian hormones.
The pill isn’t for everyone. It’s not recommended if you:
- Have a history of breast cancer, stroke, heart disease, liver disease, deep venous thrombosis, or a pulmonary embolism.
- Have advanced diabetes.
Starting the pill.
While it is generally recommended to take the pill at the same time every day, whether in the morning or at night, what matters most is establishing a routine that works for you. By taking the pill around the same time each day, you help ensure consistent levels of hormones in your body, which maximizes the effectiveness of the contraceptive.
Creating a routine can help make it easier to remember to take the pill and minimize the risk of missing a dose. Some people find it helpful to associate pill-taking with a regular daily activity, such as brushing their teeth or going to bed. Additionally, setting reminders or using alarm apps can be useful tools to help you remember to take your pill consistently.
The 1st day of your menstrual period is when your body starts the next cycle.
- If you start it on day 1 to 5 of your menstrual cycle (the first 5 days of your period), it will provide birth control right away. We do, however, recommend a backup birth control until you finish the first pack.
- If you have a short menstrual cycle, you’ll need additional contraception, such as condoms, until you’ve taken the pill for 2 days.
- If you start the progestogen-only pill on any other day of your cycle, you will not be protected from pregnancy straight away and will need additional contraception until you’ve taken the pill for 2 days.
- Choose a convenient time in the day to take your first pill.
- Maintaining a consistent routine is essential when taking oral contraceptives.
- Continue to take the pill at the same time each day until the pack is finished.
- Start your next pack of pills the following day – there’s no break between packs of pills.
- There are 28 pills in a pack of progestogen-only pills. You need to take 1 pill every day within 12 hours of the same time each day.
What to do if you miss a pill?
If you are less than 12 hours late taking the pill:
- Take the late pill as soon as you remember.
- Take the remaining pills as normal, even if that means taking 2 pills on the same day.
- The pill will still work, and you’ll be protected against pregnancy – you do not need to use additional contraception.
If you’re more 12 hours late taking the pill you will not be protected against pregnancy.
- Take the pill as soon as you remember – only take 1, even if you’ve missed more than 1 pill
- Take the next pill at the usual time – this may mean taking 2 pills on the same day (1 when you remember and 1 at the usual time); this is not harmful.
- Carry on taking your remaining pills each day at the usual time.
- Use extra contraception, such as condoms, for the next 2 days (48 hours) after you remember to take your missed pill, or do not have sex.
- If you have unprotected sex from the time that you miss your pill until 2 days after you start taking it reliably again, you may need emergency contraception.
- It takes 2 days for the progestogen-only pill to thicken cervical mucus so sperm cannot get through or survive.
Vomiting and diarrhea
- If you vomit within 3 hours of taking the combined pill, it may not have been fully absorbed into your bloodstream. Take another pill straight away and the next pill at your usual time.
- If you continue to be sick, keep using another form of contraception until you’ve taken the pill again for 7 days without vomiting.
- Very severe diarrhea (6 to 8 cases in 24 hours) may also mean that the pill does not work properly. Keep taking your pill as normal, but use additional contraception, such as condoms, while you have diarrhea and for 2 days after recovering.