If you are unable to utilize birth control methods that involve estrogen, such as estrogen-free birth control, which frequently contain artificial progesterone, you may want to consider the advantages and disadvantages before making a decision.
There isn’t a single, convenient birth control option that doesn’t have any negative side effects at the moment.
You do have a few choices, though, if you’re among the many people who are unable to utilize birth control methods that contain estrogen.
Progestin is an artificial form of the hormone progesterone and is found in many estrogen-free birth control options.
In this piece, we examine in greater detail:
Progestin-only solutions that are available
the benefits and drawbacks of each and how they operate
Who makes a suitable minipill candidate?
.deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
.excessive blood pressure
.cardiovascular disease
Progestin-only contraception isn’t the best option for everyone, though. If you have difficulty remembering to take your medications on time, you might want to avoid the minipill. If you have had breast cancer, you might want to avoid it as it may increase your risk of developing that cancer. Some antiseizure medications cause your body to break down hormones, so a progestin-only pill may not be as effective if you take antiseizure medication. If you have had bariatric surgery, discuss the risks of taking an oral contraceptive with your doctor. Bariatric surgery may alter how your body absorbs these medications, making them less effective.
Alternatives to progestin-only birth control
The minipill is just one choice if you want hormonal birth control without estrogen. Other progestin-only birth control alternatives are available. Each has its own risks and adverse effects, and they all function differently.
Here is a brief summary of your choices.
Does taking the minipill have any negative effects?
Every oral contraceptive has the potential to cause adverse effects, and each person experiences them to varying degrees.
The progestin-only minipill may cause the following adverse effects:
Changes in body hair
weight
nausea
migraines
depression
acne, painful breasts
unusual bleeding
Tell me about the minipill.
The minipill is a form of oral contraceptive that consists of 28 pills that contain the hormone progestin alone; it contains no placebo pills. To get the most out of the minipill, you must take it at the same time every day; if you miss a dose, even by just three hours, you will need to use a backup birth control method for at least two days. The progestin dosage varies and depends on the formulation used in the birth control pill.
Slynd is the newest progestin-only medication. 2019 saw its approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Unlike other progestin-only pills, it can be used within a 24-hour period and still not be regarded as a “missed dose.”
What is the minipill’s mechanism?
Norethindrone is the name of the progestin-only birth control pill in the United States. How does norethindrone function?
making it more difficult for sperm and egg to meet by thickening the mucus in your cervix and thinning the lining of your uterus, which stops your ovaries from producing eggs.
Your ovulation may not always be suppressed by the progestin-only minipill.
Approximately 40% of women who take progestin-only pills will continue to ovulate, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
How to begin taking minipills
You can start taking the minipill on any day of your menstrual cycle, but depending on where you are in your cycle, you might need to use a backup birth control method for a few days. If you start taking the minipill within the first five days of your period, it should completely prevent pregnancy and you won’t need any additional contraception. Consult your doctor before beginning the minipill.
You must use an additional means of preventing pregnancy for at least two days if you begin on any other day. If your menstruation is short, you should use supplementary birth control until you have been taking the minipill for at least two days.