The progestogen-only pill (also known as "POP") is a small round tablet that releases a progestogen hormone. It has to be taken daily.
Almost half of all women take oral contraceptive pills as their primary method of contraception. POP is popular amongst women aged between 16 to 24.
You should choose a convenient time in the day to take your first pill, and continue to take it close to that time every day.
Watch this video for information on how to take POP.
You can book an appointment for contraception at axess here.
*for perfect use (effectiveness for perfect use is 91%)
**very variable, it may be heavier or lighter
How to use it
You will need to take one pill every day. There are 28 pills per pack, and you do not take a break between packs. There are two different types of POP: ‘three-hour’ pills must be taken within the same three hour period every day, while ’twelve-hour’ pills must be taken within the same 12 hour period.
Why it works
The hormone in POP prevents pregnancy by thickening the mucus in the neck of the womb, so it is harder for sperm to penetrate the womb and reach an egg. In some women, POP prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg each month (ovulation). POP also works by thinning the lining of the womb, so there is less chance of a fertilised egg implanting into the womb.
POP does not protect you from STIs. You should use a condom as well if you think you are at risk of an STI.
You need to remember to take your pill every day. If you find that you often miss a pill, there are long lasting contraception options available.
All POPs should be taken at the same time each day with no breaks. There may be a pregnancy risk if pill are taken late or missed.
There are 3 types of POP and each have differing times for when they are considered a missed (or "late") pill:
How good POP is at preventing pregnancy depends on correct usage. The more pills that are missed, the more likely the pill will not be effective.
If you've missed your pill as described and you have had condomless sex, you may need emergency contraception. You can use Lowdown's missed pill calculator to see if you require this.
If you are not sure what to do, continue to take your pill and use another method of contraception, such as condoms, and seek advice from your sexual health clinic or GP as soon as possible. If you are missing pills on a regular basis, an alternative method may be more suitable for you.
POP can become less effective at preventing pregnancy if:
You should always follow the instructions on the packet. If you have any questions about taking the pill, ask your clinician or pharmacist. It's important to take the pills as instructed to ensure they are effective.
Although serious side effects are not common, there are some risks associated with POP.
The common, short-term effects include:
These side effects should go away after a few months.
The common, long-term effects include:
The rare, long-term effects include:
Some reports suggest that there may be a very small increased risk of breast cancer and cervical cancer on POP, but the pill does help to protect against other types of cancers, such as ovarian, colon and uterine cancers.
There is no evidence to suggest the pill causes infertility. Most women who have regular periods will find that their normal cycle will return within six months. Some women find that their usual cycles begin again very quickly after stopping, but for others it can take longer.
You may not be able to take POP if you have, or have had:
If you have any concerns about taking POP, speak to your clinician.
There are two types of POP:
If you start your pill in the first day of your cycle, it will be effective immediately.
If you start your pill at any other time on your cycle, you should use additional protection for 48 hours.
If you are healthy and there are no medical reasons for you to not take POP, you can take this until menopause, or until you are 55 years old.
Yes, you can easily change between pills.
Speak to your clinician for more information.
When you first start the pill, you may be given up to a 12 month supply to see how it suits you.
After that, you should go back to the healthcare professional to get new supplies.
Any POP can be started at any time after childbirth, including immediately after delivery.
If you wish to avoid pregnancy, POP must be started by day 21 after delivery and it will be effective straight away with no need for additional contraception (e.g. condoms). If you start POP on day 21 or later, additional contraception is needed for two days.
You can use POP while breastfeeding. Progestogen-only methods of contraception have no unwanted effects on milk production or the growth and development of your baby.
98% of women whose baby is less than six months old, are fully breastfeeding, and not having periods, will not get pregnant if not using contraception.
However, risk of pregnancy increases as breastfeeding decreases (stopping night feeds, bottle feeding top-ups, use of dummies, weaning), when periods return or baby is older than six months.
If you vomit within two hours of taking the progestogen-only pill, it may not have been fully absorbed into your bloodstream. Take another pill straight away and the next pill at your usual time.
If you don't take the replacement within three hours (or 12 hours for the 12-hour pill) of your normal time, use additional contraception, such as condoms, for two days.
If you continue to be sick, keep using another form of contraception while you're ill and for two days after recovering.
Very severe diarrhoea may also mean that the pill doesn't work properly. Keep taking your pills as normal, but use additional contraception, such as condoms, while you have diarrhoea and for two days after recovering.
Speak to your GP or contraception nurse, or call NHS 111, for more information, or if your sickness or diarrhoea continues.
