Mini Pill

How to take your Mini-Pill (Progestogen Only Pill)?

The progestogen-only pill has 28 active (hormone pills) in each packet. 

• take this pill at the same time every day with or without food

• it is very effective if you take it correctly

• your bleeding may change while you are taking this pill. Where your periods may be regular, irregular or you have none at all.

What are the instructions for starting the progestogen-only pill?            

• If you can, start on the first day of your period as it will work immediately.
• If you start at any other time during your period, you will be safe from pregnancy risk after 48 hours of taking the mini-pill.
• To be completely safe, you may want to use other contraception, such as condoms, or not have sex for 7 days after starting the mini-pill.
• Noriday and Microlut pills must be taken within three hours of the same time each day.
• Cerazette must be taken within 12 hours of the same time every day.

What will I notice when I first start the mini-pill? 

Some people notice changes such as feeling sick (especially if the pill is taken on an empty stomach), tender breasts, mood changes and unexpected vaginal bleeding. These usually improve with time. If you are worried about side effects, we recommend that you do not stop the pill but contact us. It is common to have irregular bleeding initially, but many women will not get periods at all on the mini-pill.

What happens if I miss a pill? 

If you forget to take a progestogen-only pill, take it as soon as you remember:

• If you are more than three hours late in taking it (or more than 12 hours with Cerazette®) then your protection immediately fails.
• Continue taking your pill each day, but you will need to use extra contraception (such as condoms) for two days until the progestogen-only pill becomes effective again.

What if I have diarrhoea or vomiting?

Vomiting and persistent, severe diarrhoea can interfere with the effectiveness of the progestogen-only pill.

• If you vomit within two hours of taking your progestogen-only pill or have severe diarrhoea, the pill will not be absorbed.
• Carry on taking the progestogen-only pill as usual, but use other forms of contraception (such as condoms) for the duration of the illness plus for a further two days after the vomiting or diarrhoea has stopped.

What medications affect the mini-pill?