The mini pill, or POP, is a form of contraception that a woman takes every day to prevent unwanted pregnancy. This is a progestogen-only pill that can be prescribed for women who have high blood pressure, are over 35 and a smoker, or are overweight.
Unlike the combined pill, which contains both progesterone and oestrogen, the POP contains only the hormone progesterone in synthetic form. Like all forms of contraception, its job is to prevent pregnancy by stopping the man’s sperm fertilising the woman’s egg (ova) and it does this by thickening the mucus in the cervix. Another effect of the POP is to thin the lining of the womb so even if an egg does become fertilised, it cannot implant itself into the lining. Some women stop ovulating (producing eggs) altogether when taking the POP.
The POP is an effective form of contraception but has to be taken correctly to guarantee that it does its job. The pill must be taken every day within the same three hour time frame and it may not work if you miss the time frame. Consult your GP if you have been sick or had diarrhoea soon after taking the POP.
Many women cannot take contraception that contains oestrogen, usually because they have high blood pressure, are overweight or have suffered from blood clots in the past. For these women, the POP can be safely prescribed and it is also safe for those smokers aged 35 and over who cannot take the combined pill.
There are some mild side effects to taking the POP – your periods can become irregular or stop altogether, and you may notice tenderness in your breasts and spotty skin. All side effects are likely to settle down within a few months.