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Progesterone-Only Oral Contraceptives (Minipills) Cornell Progesterone-Only Health Oral Contraceptives (Minipills) Live Well to What are minipills? Learn Well Minipills are progesterone-only birth control pills Web: (i.e. they contain no estrogen). The progesterone health.cornell.edu affects the mucus around the cervix and makes it harder for sperm to enter the uterus. It also Phone (24/7): affects the transport of the egg through the 607-255-5155 fallopian tubes to prevent fertilization, and can Fax: inhibit ovulation in some people. 607-255-0269 Minipills are more than 95% effective, slightly less than regular birth control pills. As with Appointments: all hormonal-based contraceptives, minipills Monday–Saturday do not protect against sexually transmitted Check web for hours, infections (STIs). services, providers, Why use minipills? and appointment Minipills have no estrogen, so they are an information alternative method for women who experience Minipills may be a good option for women who can’t 110 Ho Plaza, significant side-effects with regular birth control use birth control pills containing estrogen. Ithaca, NY pills and/or have medical conditions that prevent Starting minipills: 14853-3101 them from using pills containing estrogen. There are two options for starting minipills: Is the minipill right for you? 1. Take the first pill within the first 5 days of a normal Advantages period beginning. The pill will be immediately Many women choose the minipill because it : effective this way. • permits sexual spontaneity 2. Start any time. You’ll need a back-up method for • avoids the typical side effects of birth control two days. pills with estrogen Continue to take one pill daily, at the same time • is safe for breast-feeding mothers of the day, even during your period. For optimal • is safe for women with medical effectiveness, minipills should be taken at the contraindications to estrogen exact same time every day. Disadvantages After the first pack: Minipills: As soon as you finish one pack, begin the next • must be taken every day at the same time one. Start your next pack even if you are still • do not protect against sexually transmitted bleeding or have not started your menstrual infections (STIs) period. Continue taking one pill every day. • are less effective when taken with some drugs Some users may ovulate every month. For others, (be sure to discuss any medications with a ovulation may vary from month to month. clinician) Some women may never ovulate and go months • may cause irregular bleeding without any bleeding. • are less forgiving of missed or late pills than Unlike other birth control pills, there is a greater are birth control pills containing estrogen chance of unplanned pregnancy if a minipill is forgotten (not taken) or is taken late. You can Side-effects improve the effectiveness of the minipill by using The most common side-effect for women using a backup method, like condoms. minipills is irregular bleeding. While many women on minipills have normal periods, others have Warning signs irregular periods, spotting between periods, or no If you experience any of the following, period at all. call Cornell Health for consultation: Instructions for use • abdominal pain: may be due to an ovarian cyst or an ectopic pregnancy (don’t stop pills, but Minipills come in packs of 28, and one is taken contact us right away) every day. Unlike other birth control pills, there • repeated, very severe headaches are no placebo pills in the minipill packs. • severe leg or arm pain or numbness How to get a prescription • if your menstrual bleeding pattern Make an appointment at Cornell Health. concerns you, call Cornell Health for Ask for a well-woman visit if it is time an appointment to discuss with a clinician for a pap smear and/or check-up. Ask for an appointment just for birth control • if while on the minipill you do not menstruate for 60 days, call Cornell if you feel you don’t need a check- Health to arrange for a pregnancy test up, pap smear or STI testing. At your but continue taking your pills appointment, the clinician will talk with you more about minipills and other Late or missed minipills contraceptive options. If it has been more than 3 hours since you were supposed to take your pill, take it Picking up your pills right away and use a back-up method of Your minipill prescription can be filled contraception for the next 48 hours. at Cornell Health’s pharmacy (Monday – Saturday during business hours). If you miss 1 minipill (e.g. yesterday’s No appointment is needed for pick-up. minipill), take it as soon as you remember. Be sure to have your next pack ready Also take today’s minipill at the regular several days before finishing your time, even if that means taking two pills in current pack. 1 day. Use your back-up method of birth control for the next 2 days (48 hours). If you are already using If you miss 2 or more pills in a row, minipills your pregnancy protection is decreased. If you are currently using minipills Immediately start using your back-up and want to have your prescription method. Restart your minipills right away, renewals managed at Cornell Health, and take 2 pills a day for 2 days. If your please make an appointment with a menstrual period does not begin within clinician before you run out of pills. We 4 to 6 weeks, see your clinician for an encourage women to consider making exam and pregnancy test. an appointment for a well woman visit if If you have already had intercourse a check up, pap smear, or STI screening without adequate protection because is needed. However, you may choose to you missed pills, you may be able to use refill your minipills without having an Emergency Contraception (EC) to prevent exam by making a “contraception only” pregnancy. Call Cornell Health to discuss appointment. your options with a clinician The clinicians and sexual health nurses When to use back-up at Cornell Health can talk with you protection about any concerns you may have about minipills, other birth control methods, • During the first cycle of taking and/or reducing risks of STIs and/ minipills, you may forget pills or take or testing. Request an appointment them late, so a back-up method may via phone (607 255-5155), online via make you feel more confident. myCornellHealth or by visiting us during • If late periods make you feel anxious, business hours. a back-up method may help you feel more secure. Additional considerations • If you are 3 or more hours late taking No hormonal method of birth control a minipill, use a back-up contraceptive protects against sexually transmitted for 48 hours until you are back on infections (STI) including HIV. Latex barriers schedule. If you are concerned about (condoms or squares) are the best way pregnancy, consider Emergency for sexually active people to protect Contraception (EC). themselves against STIs when you or your • To protect against sexually partner have had other sex partners. transmitted infections (STIs), use Condoms, lubricants, and other sexual condoms or other latex barriers health products can be purchased at the consistently, even while using the Cornell Health Pharmacy. minipills. health.cornell.edu 10/18/19.
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