When to take your progestogen-only pill
You need to take the progestogen-only pill (mini pill) at around the same time every day for it to work properly.
There are 28 pills in a pack. When you finish a pack, you start a new pack the next day. Do not take a break between packs.
There are 3 types of progestogen-only pill:
- traditional progestogen-only pill
- desogestrel pill
- drospirenone pill
Check the packet to see if your pill contains desogestrel or drospirenone. Whichever type you have, it's important to take 1 pill at the same time every day.
If you forget to take your pill at the usual time, take it as soon as you remember.
You’ll still be protected against pregnancy if you:
- take your traditional progestogen-only pill within 3 hours of the time you usually take it
- take your desogestrel pill within 12 hours of the time you usually take it
- take your drospirenone pill within 24 hours of the time you usually take it
For more information about how to take the progestogen-only pill, check the leaflet that comes with it, or speak to a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Starting the progestogen-only pill
You can usually start taking the progestogen-only pill at any point in your menstrual cycle.
Speak to a doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you’re not sure when to start taking the it, or if you’re switching from another type of hormonal contraception such as the combined pill.
Traditional progestogen-only pill and desogestrel pill
If you start the progestogen-only pill on day 1 to 5 of your menstrual cycle (day 1 is the first day of your period), you’ll be protected from pregnancy straight away.
If you start the progestogen-only pill more than 5 days after the start of your period, you will not be protected from pregnancy straight away.
You need to use extra contraception such as condoms until you have taken the progestogen-only pill for 2 days.
Drospirenone pill
If you start the drospirenone pill on day 1 of your menstrual cycle (day 1 is the first day of your period), you’ll be protected from pregnancy straight away.
If you start taking it at any other time in your cycle, you need to use extra contraception such as condoms until you have taken the drospirenone pill for 7 days.
Starting the progestogen-only pill after having a baby
If you start taking the progestogen-only pill in the first 20 days after giving birth, you'll be protected against pregnancy immediately.
If you start taking it 21 days after giving birth or later, use extra contraception such as condoms until you've taken the traditional progestogen-only pill or desogestrel pill for 2 days. If you take the drospirenone pill, use extra contraception until you’ve taken it for 7 days.
Starting the progestogen-only pill after a miscarriage or abortion
You can start taking the progestogen-only pill straight away after having a miscarriage or abortion.
Traditional progestogen-only pill and desogestrel pill
If you take the progestogen-only pill or desogestrel pill on day 1 to 5 after a miscarriage or abortion, you’ll be protected from pregnancy immediately.
If you start it later than day 5 after a miscarriage or abortion, use extra contraception such as condoms until you've taken the pill for 2 days.
Drospirenone pill
If you take the drospirenone pill on day 1 after a miscarriage or abortion, you’ll be protected from pregnancy immediately.
If you start taking it at any other time, you need to use extra contraception such as condoms until you have taken the drospirenone pill for 7 days.
How well the progestogen-only pill works
The progestogen-only pill is over 99% effective if taken correctly all the time.
If the progestogen-only pill is not taken correctly all the time, it’s 91% effective. This means around 9 in 100 women will get pregnant in a year. Not taking it correctly includes missing a pill or taking it at the wrong time of day.
Medicines and herbal remedies that affect the progestogen-only pill
Some medicines and herbal remedies can affect how the progestogen-only pill works. This means it may not stop you getting pregnant.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking the progestogen-only pill if you take medicine to treat TB (tuberculosis), epilepsy or HIV.
You should also ask for advice if you take griseofulvin (an antifungal medicine), lamotrigine (a mood stabiliser), or St John's wort (a herbal remedy).
You may need to use another type of contraception instead.
You may not be able to take the drospirenone pill if you take some types of diuretics (tablets that make you pee more) or potassium supplements.