A progestin-only contraceptive is a kind of birth control pill. Regular birth control pills have 2 female hormones: estrogen and progestin. But a progestin-only pill has only progestin in it. These are also known as the Mini-Pill.

These pills are only available in a 28-day pack. A woman will take a pill every day for the 4 week cycle, and all 28 pills are considered active. Active pills contain the hormone that prevents a woman from becoming pregnant. Menstruation usually occurs during the fourth week even though the woman is still taking active pills. Progestin-only pills are slightly less effective than the combined pill.

Other types of progestin-only contraceptives include:

• Progestin injections
• Progestin implants (e.g. Implanon, Jadelle)
• Intrauterine contraception (e.g. Mirena)

How They Work

This contraceptive pill does three things. First, it makes your body think that you are pregnant and stops your ovary from releasing an egg. Secondly, it causes changes in your uterus. And thirdly, the progestin-only pill thickens the mucus between your uterus and your vagina which makes it harder for sperm to reach and fertilize the egg. POP’s also prevent a woman's body from releasing an egg during her monthly menstrual cycle. However, ovulation is not prevented by these pills.

As these pills do not contain estrogen, they are a good alternative for women who cannot use combined oral contraceptives. These include cigarette smokers over the age of 35, Women with a history of blood clots, Women with high blood pressure and Women who experience extreme migraine headaches.

Progestin-only pills are also recommended for breast-feeding mothers as the hormone does not affect milk production or harm a baby during nursing. POPS’s contains two synthetic hormones: Norethindrone and Norgestrel.

Advantages

1. It can be used by nursing mothers starting 6 weeks after childbirth. It does not affect the quantity and the quality of milk.
2. It does not increase risk of estrogen-related complications, such as heart attack or stroke.
b It has less risk of progestin related side effects, like weight gain, acne etc.

Disadvantages

1. Changes in menstrual cycle are normal, including irregular periods, spotting or bleeding between periods, and amenorrhea (missed periods).
2. Less common side effects include headaches and breast tenderness.
3. Should be taken at about the same time each day to work best.