In this article, discover everything you need to know about progesterone-only pills, including what they are, how they work, the different types available, and where you can buy them.
WHAT IS THE PROGESTERONE-ONLY PILL?
The progesterone-only pill – also known as the mini pill – is a contraceptive pill that thickens the mucus in the cervix to stop sperm reaching an egg, thus preventing pregnancy.
For women who are unable to take birth control pills containing oestrogen, the mini pill is an alternative method of contraception.
HOW TO TAKE THE PROGESTERONE-ONLY PILL
The progesterone-only pill should be started on day 1 of your menstrual cycle.
You must take it at the same time every day for it to work properly – there is no break between sheets or packets of pills. The tablet should be swallowed whole with water.
HOW EFFECTIVE IS THE PROGESTERONE-ONLY PILL?
According to the NHS UK website, the progesterone-only pill is more than 99% effective if taken correctly [1].
It must be taken at the same time each day. The traditional progesterone-only pill may not be effective if taken more than 3 hours later than usual, while the desogestrel pill could fail to work if taken more than 12 hours later than usual.
If you have severe diarrhoea or if you vomit after having taken your pill, it may not work. Some medicines might also affect the pill’s effectiveness.
THE POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES OF TAKING PROGESTERONE-ONLY PILLS
The positives include:
- It’s 99% effective
- If you are unable to take contraceptive pills that contain oestrogen, you can take this medication
- It’s safe to take while you are breastfeeding
- It does not impede sex
- It can generally be taken by women of older ages when compared to the combined contraceptive.
The negatives include:
- If it isn’t taken at the same time every day, the medication may be less effective
- These tablets are not guaranteed to stop your periods completely, so you may still experience light and irregular bleeding
DIFFERENT TYPES OF PROGESTERONE-ONLY PILLS
When it comes to choosing between different types of progesterone-only pill, Cerazette tends to be one of the better-known branded versions of the treatment.
You may also have heard of Desogestrel, which is the generic, unbranded version of the Cerazette pill and contains the same active ingredient, desogestrel.
Both tablets work the same way and neither one is more effective than the other (the only difference is the price).
Here is some further information about each type of mini pill.
Mini pill: Cerazette
The Cerazette pill contains the active ingredient desogestrel. Desogestrel is a synthetic version of the progesterone hormone. This mini pill is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Prices start from just £9.99, and you can buy Cerazette from a trusted online pharmacy such as PostMyMeds.
Mini pill: Desogestrel
Desogestrel is the unbranded version of the Cerazette mini pill, making it the slightly more cost-effective option. Like Cerazette, this mini pill is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Prices start from just £8.99, and you can buy Desogestrel from a trusted online pharmacy such as PostMyMeds. .
WHAT HAPPENS IF I MISS A DOSE?
If you miss a dose and it has been less than 12 hours since you last took the medication, you can still take the dose and then take it at the usual time the next day.
However, if you have missed a dose and it is more than 12 hours since you last took the medication, you will not be protected against pregnancy. You should continue to take your pills but use an additional form of contraception for the next two days.
If you had unprotected sex during this time, you may need to consider emergency contraception.
SIDE EFFECTS AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION
If you experience symptoms like swelling of the tongue or face while taking progesterone-only pills, you could be experiencing an allergic reaction and should seek immediate medical attention. Another serious side effect is prolonged heavy vaginal bleeding.
Other, more common, side effects include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tiredness
- Low mood
- Weight gain
If you experience any side effects that cause a problem or worry you, seek advice from a medical professional.
If you are allergic to progesterone-only pills or suffer from conditions such as cancer, jaundice, or thrombosis, it is not recommended you take this medication as it can exacerbate your condition.
Please read the patient information leaflet provided with your mini-pill for a full list of side effects, and conditions that can be affected by this medication.
WHERE TO BUY PROGESTERONE-ONLY PILLS
You can buy progesterone-only pills Cerazette and Desogestrel directly from PostMyMeds following a short online consultation.
When you buy from the PostMyMeds online pharmacy, you can rest assured that you are getting safe, MHRA-approved medication at an affordable price. What’s more, your order will arrive in discreet, unbranded packaging.
To buy directly from us or to read more information about each of these progesterone-only pills – including the answers to frequently asked questions – use the links below.
