The Pill: Progestogen Only Pill

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The Pill: Progestogen Only Pill

How does it work?

  • It contains the hormone progestogen. This  stops you ovulating, thickens the mucus in the cervix (neck of the womb) to prevent sperm reaching the egg and thins the lining of the womb so that a fertilised egg can’t implant. 
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXWaljYLhXk 

    Brook.org.uk have kindly supplied these videos for information purposes only. If you require any contraception services, please contact us directly on 0345 337 9900. 

 

What’s good about it?

  • Can be taken by women who can’t take the hormone estrogen.
  • Fertility (ability to get pregnant ) returns to normal when you stop taking it.

 

What might be the disadvantages?

 

  • You must remember to take 1 pill at the same time of day every day. If you are taking the desogestrel pill, it is not effective if taken over 12 hours late. Other progestogen only pills are not effective if taken over 3 hours late.
  • Vomiting or diarrhoea can also make it less effective: with typical use 9 in 100 women will become pregnant. If you have missed a pill or are late to start a pack, click here for more information as to what to do
  • Periods may stop, become irregular, lighter or more frequent.
  • There may be temporary side effects such as headaches, breast tenderness or acne.
  • It’s important that you follow the instructions for use, or the pill won’t work effectively and you could become pregnant.

 

Where can I get it?

  • You can get get it from your GP or local sexual health clinic.
  • Local community pharmacies can supply free emergency progestogen only pill supplies.

 

For more detailed information about this method and also more information on which method to choose visit

https://www.contraceptionchoices.org/whats-right-for-me/ 

https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/contraception