Factsheet

Progestogen Only Pill (The Minipill)

Date   28 February 2008

WHAT IS THE Progestogen Only Pill/MINIPILL?

The minipill contains a very small amount of only one hormone, progesterone. This means it may be useful for women who cannot take oestrogen (which is found in the combined pill). The form of progesterone hormone used in manufacturing hormonal medications is known as a progestogen, therefore this pill is more correctly called the progestogen-only pill or POP. It works mainly by making the mucus at the entrance to the uterus (womb) thicker, so that sperm cannot get through to meet an egg (ovum).

It also works by changing the lining of the uterus, and in some women it stops the release of an egg each month. The POP prevents pregnancy, but is not quite as effective as the combined pill because it requires careful, on time pill taking. If 100 women were to use the POP for a year, between one and eight of them may have an unexpected pregnancy.

WHO CAN TAKE THE POP?

Most women can take the POP. You may not be able to take it if:

• you have had an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy growing outside the uterus)
• you have unusual bleeding from your vagina that has not been diagnosed
• you have had cancer of the breast
• you have a blood clot in your leg or lung
• you have hepatitis.

HOW DO YOU TAKE THE POP?

You must take the POP every day without a break, at the same time each day. It always comes in a 28-day pack. Every pill is a hormone (progestogen) pill and you do not have a break between packs.

STARTING THE POP

If you are having periods, take your first pill on the first day of your period. If you are not having periods, eg while breastfeeding, you can start the POP at any time.

If you first start taking the POP on day one of your period you will have immediate protection from pregnancy. If you start it at any other time, it will take 48 hours to work, so you should use other contraception, eg condoms, for those two days.

You should take the POP at the same time every day. Take your first pill at the time that you intend to take it each day. It works best as a contraceptive between three and 21 hours after you take each pill. If you usually have sex at night and/or in the early morning, it is best to take your pill at midday or in the early evening.

IF YOU MISS A POP

If you forget a POP or are more than three hours late taking it:

• take one pill as soon as possible
• take the next pill at the usual time.

You will have some protection three hours after taking the late pill, but for the next 48 hours it is best to use other contraception such as condoms until three consecutive pills have been taken.

If you had sex while you were not protected because you missed pills and you did not use any other contraception, contact your doctor or a family planning centre for further advice. The emergency contraceptive pill should also be considered in this situation, until three consecutive pills are taken.

WHEN THE POP MIGHT NOT WORK

If you have diarrhoea or vomiting, the POP might not get into your system properly and you could become pregnant. Assume that the pill has not worked and follow the steps under 'If You Miss a POP'. Some medications may stop the POP working. If you are taking something else, ask your doctor about this. If the doctor tells you that you are not fully protected use other contraception as well as the POP while you are taking the medication.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

There are very few side effects with the POP, but it is fairly common to have spot bleeding between periods, and periods may be further apart or closer together than usual. If the POP fails, there is a slight risk that the pregnancy may be ectopic (that the pregnancy grows outside the uterus eg in the Fallopian tube). This is very rare but it is dangerous. If you think you may be pregnant, see a doctor or family planning centre straight away.

PERIODS AND THE POP

While you are taking the POP your periods may be regular, or they may be irregular or stop altogether. Many women have spot bleeding between periods. It is not possible to make periods regular, or to delay or cut out periods while using the POP.

MEDICAL CHECK UPS

Arrange to have your blood pressure checked every 12 months, and have a Pap test every two years.

GETTING PREGNANT AFTER THE MINIPILL

If you want to become pregnant, simply stop taking the pills. Most women will get pregnant within six months just as if they had not taken the POP.

Download more info POP/MiniPill (Adobe PDF File)
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For further information

Contact the Healthline on 1300 658 886.