If you are under 18, please make sure you have your parents’ permission before providing us with any personal details.
The progestogen-only pill, sometimes called ‘the ‘mini-pill’ or the POP prevents pregnancy by using the hormone, progestogen.
The POP works by preventing the sperm reaching an egg and fertilising it. It interrupts the process in two ways. Read more
It is over 99% effective if taken correctly It can be taken by some women who cannot use contraception that contains oestrogen Your periods may become irregular It doesn’t protect you against STIs
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The POP pill is available free of charge from a range or services including contraceptive clinics, your GP and Brook. Find your nearest one using our find a service tool. Read more
The POP pill works by preventing the sperm reaching an egg and fertilising it. It interrupts the process in two ways:
Pros
Cons
The POP pill is available free of charge from a range or services including contraceptive clinics, your GP and Brook. Find your nearest one using our find a service tool.
Contraception and sexual health services such as Brook are free and confidential, including for people under the age of 16. Health professionals work to strict guidelines and won’t tell anyone else about your visit unless they believe you’re at serious risk of immediate harm. Find out more about Brook’s confidentiality policy.
When you go to get the POP pill, an appointment will typically include:
When you first start the POP pill you will usually be given a three month supply. Follow up appointments and reviews are then usually every 6-12 months providing there are no issues.
INFORMATION
You will not be required to have an internal or breast examination for the POP pill.
You take one pill every day from your pack and you don’t have a break between packs.
There are two different types of progestogen-only pill:
Starting and taking the POP pill:
If you start taking the POP in the first five days of your period, you will be protected against pregnancy straight away.
If you have a short menstrual cycle, where your period is normally 23 days or less, starting on the fifth day of your period may mean you are not immediately protected (because you might ovulate early). You therefore may need to use additional contraception, such as condoms, for the first two days.
If you start taking the pill at any other time in your menstrual cycle, it will take two days before it starts to work. So you’ll need to use condoms for the first two days.
If you have missed a pill outside of the 3 or 12 hour window:
If you have missed a pill but it’s still inside the 3 or 12 hour window:
If you stop taking the pill but don’t want to become pregnant remember to use another method of contraception. Condoms will also protect against STIs.
100% FREE & CONFIDENTIAL