Shop
Donate
Fakta-ikon
Facts

What are minipills?

Minipills are tablets that only contain a single hormone, progestin. It is also called the progestogen-only pill.
Lær alt om minipiller hos Sex & Samfund

Minipiller er tabletter, der kun indeholder et enkelt hormon, gestagen. Minipiller virker med det samme, hvis du begynder at tage dem på første menstruationsdag.

Minipills form a mucus plug in the mouth of the uterus, which makes it difficult for the sperm cells to penetrate into the uterus. Minipills also affect the uterine lining, so a possible fertilized egg has difficulty attaching to the uterus. The new mini-pills contain more progestin, thereby also inhibiting ovulation.

How to use minipills

  1. In each pack of minipills there is a leaflet. Read it carefully before you start taking the minipills
  2. Take the first minipill on the first day of your period
  3. Then take a minipill every day - also when you are bleeding. There are therefore  no pill-free days
  4. It is important that you take the minipill at the same time every day to achieve complete safety
  5. If you let 27 hours or more pass between taking the minipills, you cannot count on full protection in the following days. Take the pill anyway, even if you have to take two pills on the same day. Depending on the hormone content of the type of minipill you take, you have to use other contraception, e.g. condom for the next two days or seven days.

When do minipills work?

Minipills work immediately, if you start taking them on the first day of your period.

Who can use minipills?

Minipills can be used by almost all women

  • They are best suited for women over 35 and for women who are breastfeeding because minipills do not contain estrogen.
  • They are less suitable for young girls who want maximum protection. Regular birth control pills offer higher effectivity than minipills.

How do you get minipills?

If you think about choosing minipills, you must contact your doctor or a birth control clinic. During an interview, the doctor will find out whether minipills are a good contraceptive method for you.

  • Your blood pressure will be measured and your weight checked.
  • The doctor writes a prescription for birth control pills or minipills, which you buy at the pharmacy.

Advantage

  • When you use minipills, there is approx. 98% certainty that you will not get pregnant
  • Minipills do not cause any interruption in intercourse.

Disadvantages

  • Your periods may become irregular with longer periods in between.
  • There may be spotting, but usually only in the first two or three months.
  • Some women become more easily depressed or develop suicidal thoughts when taking minipills.
  • Minipills do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia and HIV. Consequently it is necessary to use a condom as well, if you e.g. have changing partners or if you get a new boyfriend.
  • Minipills must be taken at the same time every day (that is approximately 24 hours apart), otherwise the safety is weakened. However, this does not apply to minipills with a high content of progestin. They can be taken within an interval of 12 hours – just like birth control pills.