If taken correctly, it can be more than 99% effective. This means that fewer than one woman in 100 who use the progestogen-only pill as contraception will get pregnant in one year.
You take a pill every day, with no break between packs of pills.
The progestogen-only pill can be used by women who can't use contraception that contains oestrogen, for example because they have high blood pressure, previous blood clots or are overweight.
You can take the progestogen-only pill if you're over 35 and you smoke.
You must take the progestogen-only pill at the same time each day – if you take it more than three hours late (or 12 hours late if you take Cerazette) it may not be effective.
If you’re sick (vomit) or have severe diarrhoea, the progestogen-only pill may not work.
Some medicines may affect the progestogen-only pill's effectiveness – ask your doctor for details.
Your periods may stop or become lighter, irregular or more frequent.
Side effects may include spotty skin and breast tenderness – these should clear up within a few months.
The progestogen-only pill doesn’t protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). By using condoms as well as the progestogen-only pill you'll help to protect yourself against STIs.
Using the progestogen-only pill
There are two different types of progestogen-only pill:
The three-hour progestogen-only pill must be taken within three hours of the same time each day. Examples are Femulen, Micronor, Norgeston and Noriday.
The 12-hour progestogen-only pill (Cerazette) must be taken within 12 hours of the same time each day.
It is important to follow the instructions that come with your pill packet because missing pills or taking the pill alongside other medicines can reduce its effectiveness.
There are 28 pills in a pack of progestogen-only pills. You need to take one pill every day, within either three or twelve hours of the same time each day, depending on which type you are taking. There’s no break between packs of pills – when you finish one pack you start the next one the next day.
Starting the first pack of pills
Choose a convenient time in the day to take your first pill.
Continue to take a pill at the same time each day until the pack is finished.
Start your next pack of pills the following day. There is no break between packs of pills.
You can start the progestogen-only pill at any time in your menstrual cycle. If you start it on day one of your menstrual cycle (the first day of your period) it will work straight away and you will be protected against pregnancy. You won’t need additional contraception.
If you start the progestogen-only pill on day five of your menstrual cycle or earlier (the fifth day after the start of your period or before) you will be protected from pregnancy straight away unless you have a short menstrual cycle (your period is every 23 days or less). If you have a short menstrual cycle you will need additional contraception, such as condoms, until you have taken the pill for two days.
If you start the progestogen-only pill on any other day of your cycle you will not be protected from pregnancy straight away and will need additional contraception until you have taken the pill for two days.
After having a baby
If you have just had a baby you can start the progestogen-only pill on day 21 after the birth. You will be protected against pregnancy straight away.
If you start the progestogen-only pill more than 21 days after giving birth, you will need additional contraception (such as condoms) until you have taken the pill for two days.
After a miscarriage or abortion
If you have had a miscarriage or abortion you can start the progestogen-only pill up to five days afterwards and you will be protected from pregnancy straight away.
If you start the pill more than five days after a miscarriage or abortion, use additional contraception until you have taken the pill for two days.
What to do if you miss a pill
If you forget to take a progestogen-only pill, what you should do depends on:
the type of pill you are taking
how long ago you missed the pill and how many pills you have forgotten to take
whether you have had sex without using another form of contraception during the previous seven days
If you are less than three or less than 12 hours late taking the pill
If you are taking a three-hour progestogen-only pill and are less than three hours late taking it, or if you are taking the 12-hour progestogen-only pill and are less than 12 hours late:
take the late pill as soon as you remember, and
take the remaining pills as normal, even if that means taking two pills on the same day
The pill will still work, and you’ll be protected against pregnancy – you do not need to use additional contraception. Don’t worry if you have had sex without using another form of contraception. You do not need emergency contraception.
If you are more than three or more than 12 hours late taking the pill
If you are taking a three-hour progestogen-only pill and are more than three hours late taking it, or are taking the 12-hour progestogen-only pill and are more than 12 hours late you will not be protected against pregnancy.
You will need to use additional contraception, such as condoms, for the next two days after missing the pill.
You should:
take the last pill you missed straight away (if you have missed more than one, take only one)
take your next pill at the normal time
Depending on when you remember, it may mean taking two pills on the same day (one at the time of remembering and one at the regular time), or even at the same time.
You will not be protected from pregnancy, so use additional contraception, such as condoms, for the next two days after taking the missed pill.
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