![]() It also comes with some side effects, which you'll read more about below. If you have lupus, liver disease, or breast cancer, you should not take the mini-pill and instead look for a different form of contraception. If you think you'll have trouble taking the mini-pill properly, consider using another method, such as the IUD or the birth control shot (Depo-Provera), both of which are very effective and compatible with breastfeeding.Ĭertain health conditions are not compatible with the progestin-only pill. However, the mini-pill must be taken at the exact same time every day for maximum efficacy – which might be hard for some people to keep up with. Its lack of estrogen also makes it a good choice for people who get worse migraines or higher blood pressure from combination birth control pills.Īs with other forms of hormonal birth control, the progestin-only pill might also make your periods lighter or stop them altogether. Unlike combined hormonal contraceptive pills, the mini-pill also doesn't increase your risk of high blood pressure, making it a safer choice for people who have cardiovascular conditions like deep vein thrombosis (DVT). ![]() Only small amounts of progestin pass into your breast milk, and research to date shows no adverse effects from progestin-only birth control on a baby's weight gain, health, or development. Unlike the combination pill, progestin-only pills are considered compatible with breastfeeding right after birth by a host of organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Understanding them can help you better evaluate whether it's the right choice of birth control for you. What are the pros and cons of the mini-pill?Īs with any type of medication, there are absolutely some benefits and downsides to the progestin-only pill. If you take rifampin (which is used to treat infections like tuberculosis), certain anti-seizure meds, or drugs to treat HIV, talk to your doctor about other options. Some meds and supplements might also affect how well the mini-pill works. So, while the mini-pill is a reliable method of birth control for people who never miss any pills and follow the instructions to the letter, it's not the best method for everyone. That said, if you don't take the mini-pill exactly as prescribed, the risk that you'll get pregnant is much higher – as much as 13 in 100 – especially if you're not breastfeeding. If you're exclusively nursing your baby (meaning that your baby is taking in no formula or solid food), still haven't had a period, and are taking the mini-pill as directed, it's nearly 100 percent effective during the first six months after giving birth. (This is comparable to the combined hormonal birth control pill.) With typical use, meaning that you may make some mistakes like skipping a pill or not taking it at the exact same time every day, its effectiveness drops to 91 to 93 percent. If you take the mini-pill at the exact same time every single day – what's known as “perfect use” – it's about 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. How effective is the mini-pill for birth control? That's why you have to be so careful about taking the mini-pill at the same time every day. ![]() Once you take a mini-pill, the progestin's effect on your body lasts only about 24 hours. ![]() In some people – about 60 percent of users – the mini-pill will also stop ovulation. It also thins the lining of your uterus, making it less likely that an egg would implant there even if one did get fertilized. The progestin in the mini-pill thickens the mucus in your cervix, making it hard for your sperm to get through to fertilize an egg. Progestin-only pills prevent pregnancy in a few different ways. (Some types of mini-pill don't come with a placebo week of pills, either.) The mini-pill is a good alternative for women who want to use oral contraceptives but who are breastfeeding or can't take estrogen for some other reason. Unlike combination birth control pills (the Pill), the mini-pill doesn't have any estrogen, just progestin. The pills come in packs of 28, and you take one pill every day so that you're getting a steady dose of the hormone. Each pill contains a small amount of progestin, the synthetic form of the hormone progesterone. The progestin-only birth control pill, commonly called the mini-pill, is an oral contraceptive. ![]()
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