Progesterone Pill

This pill only contains one hormone, progestogen. Often it is called the "mini pill". It can be used for women who cannot take the combined pill for medical reasons.

The Progesterone Only Pill is 99% effective if instructions are followed, it may be less effective in women who weigh over 70kgs (11stones)

How does it work?

It thickens the fluid in the neck of the uterus, making it difficult for the sperm to progress into the uterus and so unable to meet the egg.

It suppresses the egg being released from the ovary (sometimes, about 50%)

The lining of the uterus becomes thinner, so it is difficult for a fertilised egg to embed into the uterus.

Where can I get "Progesterone Only Pill"?

Family Planning Clinics, Your own doctor, young peoples' health centre
Click here for services in Bolton

Benefits of Progesterone Only Pill

No serious side effects, not sex related, any age group can use it, especially useful if you are over 35 years and are a smoker

Disadvantages

• Your periods may become erratic or stop altogether. This is not putting you at any health risk
• Worrying about pregnancy due to erratic periods
• Temporary side effects such as acne, breast tenderness, headaches and nausea these usually disappear after a few months.
• If pregnancy occurs whilst taking Progesterone only pill there is a small risk this pregnancy could develop in a fallopian tube (ectopic pregnancy). This is rare, but needs urgent medical help if suspect this condition.

On occasions women may develop ovarian cysts, these are not serious and often do not need to be treated. These are mainly symptom less and usually disappear without treatment.

The Progesterone only Pill does not protect you against sexually transmitted infections, so you will need to use condoms as well.

Instructions for Progesterone Only Pill

Take you 1st pill on your 1st day of your period. You are protected straightaway if you start it on your 1st day of your period. If you start it later you will not be protected for 7 days, extra precautions will be needed. The pill needs to be taken every day at the same time, if you miss one you have got 3 hours to remember (Cerazette 12 hours). If you take your pill any later than this you will not be safe for 48 hours. As you finish one packet you will go directly on to the next packet.

If you are sick within 3 hours of taking the pill or have any diarrhoea, you need to continue to take the pill but take extra precautions whilst having you are ill and for 48 hours afterwards.

Certain medications can affect the action of the pill including complementary medicines (St John's Wort) can effect your pill. You will need to seek advice from your clinic, doctor or pharmacist. If they do affect your pill take extra precautions whilst on the medication and 48 house afterwards.

If you change to another progesterone only pill or combined pill, after finishing your current packet go straight on to the next packet without a break.