Progestin Only Pills

Progestin Only Pills (POPs)

What are POPs?

Progestin only pills (POPs) are birth control pills without estrogen. Most birth control pills contain estrogen and progestin and are called combination pills. POPs are options for women who cannot take estrogen such as women with high blood pressure, migraine with aura, or a history of blood clots. They are also options for women who are breast feeding and sometimes older women. They are considered safer because they are less likely to cause increased blood pressure, headaches, depression and cardiovascular complications like stroke.

How do they work?

POPs prevent pregnancy mostly by thickening the cervical mucus and thinning the uterine lining. They also suppress ovulation in about half of users. Failure rate (Chance of pregnancy per year of use) 99% for Perfect Use, 91% Typical Use.

How do I take POPs?

  • Start the first day of your period.
  • Start immediately if there has been no unprotected (condomless) intercourse since your last period.
  • If switching from combination pills, start the day after the last active pill and skip the placebo week.

POPs come in a pack of 28 pills with no placebo week so you take them continuously. POPs prevent pregnancy after taking them consistently for 48 hours. It is very important to take the POP at the same time each day - within 3 hours. If you are more than 3 hours late taking a POP, you will need to use another form of birth control, such as condoms, for at least 48 hours as long as the next 2 pills are on time.

If you do miss a pill, take it as soon as you remember, even if this means taking 2 pills in one day. Be sure to take your next pill on time after a missed pill and use an additional form of birth control, such as condoms, for 48 hours. If you miss 2 pills in a row, take 2 daily for the next 2 days and use condoms for 48 hours after the missed pills. You can take emergency contraception if you had intercourse when you were late taking pills.

You MUST take every pill in the package because there are no inactive or placebo pills.

What can I expect my periods to be like?

Women who take POPs may have irregular bleeding, spotting between periods, regular periods or no periods. If you have more than 45 days without a period, you may want to do a pregnancy test. Your periods will return to normal very quickly and you will be able to get pregnant if you stop taking POPs.

What are the benefits of taking POPs?

  • No estrogen side effects or complications.
  • Decreased risk of endometrial cancer.
  • Safe for breastfeeding mothers.
  • Quick return to fertility when discontinued.

What are the side effects of POPs?

  • Irregular periods, spotting or no periods. Having no periods is not harmful with a POP as long as pregnancy is ruled out.
  • Slight increased risk for ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside of the uterus). Get care immediately if you experience severe abdominal pain.
  • Ovarian cysts.
  • Must be taken on time (within 3 hours daily).

You should NOT take POPs if you:

  • Have vaginal bleeding between periods that has not been evaluated.
  • Have any chance of being pregnant.
  • Are taking certain drugs for; epilepsy (seizures), tuberculosis or narcolepsy, or supplements like St. John’s Wort.
  • Have any liver problems or disease.
  • Have breast cancer.

POPs will not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Use condoms correctly and consistently to reduce your risk.

Schedule an appointment (812-855-7688) in the Medical Clinic if you are interested in POPs.

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