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Progesterone Only Pill (the POP or “mini pill”)

Progesterone Only Pill

(the POP or “mini pill”)

91% effective

The progesterone online pill must be taken every day during the same 3 hour period. There are no inactive or sugar pills. It works by thickening the mucus in the cervix, preventing sperm from getting through to fertilise the egg. In some women, it prevents ovulation.

Contraceptive Pill

Pros

  • It’s cheap and generally very safe
  • If used correctly it is more than 99% effective
  • Most women get no side effects
  • It can be started and stopped as desired, no need for removal of implants or devices
  • It can be used when breastfeeding
  • If you have certain contraindications to the COCP (such as high blood pressure, obesity or migraine with aura) the POP is often still safe to use
  • If you decide you wish to become pregnant, there is little or no delay to return to fertility when you stop taking the progesterone only pill

Cons

  • It must be taken within the same 3 hour period of time each day, or contraceptive cover may be lost
  • It does not necessarily regulate a woman’s periods as well as the COCP
  • It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections
  • Some women get side effects such as irregular bleeding (see detailed patient information leaflet below)
  • It requires a new prescription every 6 to 12 months
Click here if you’d like an online prescription for the contraceptive pill
For more detailed information about the progesterone only pill, click here
See more contraception options on our hub page

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