Progestogen Only Pill - Frequently Asked Questiions
Please note: The following answers relate to the progestogen-only pill ONLY. This is the pill that contains one hormone, progestogen, and is often referred to as the mini-pill. Common brands include: Cerazette, Micronor®; Noriday®; Femulen®; Microval®; Norgeston®; and Neogest®
Is it ever safe to miss a pill?
If you are more than three hours late (12 hours with Cerazette) taking your
pill or forget to take it altogether then your contraception will not work.
Continue to take your pills. Your contraception will work again after two days
(that is once you have taken two pills at the right time), so use condoms until
then. If you have had sex since the pill was late you may want to think about
using emergency contraception to reduce your chances of becoming pregnant.
I missed a pill and now I am experiencing spotting half way through my cycle. Is this normal?
This is very common whichever pill you take. On the progestogen-only pill the
bleeding will sort itself out in its own time as you continue to take the pill
as normal. Missing a pill may mean that you have been at risk of pregnancy if
you also have had sex. If you are in this situation you should speak to someone
about using emergency contraception.
I have had mild diarrhoea is the pill still effective?
For the pill to stop working you need to have severe diarrhoea (the type that
you get when you have food poisoning). If the diarrhoea is mild then there is no
need to worry, just continue to take your pills as normal. This is the same
whatever pill you take.
I missed the first pill in my packet will I still be protected?
If you are taking the progestogen-only pill then forgetting one pill means
that you are not protected. If you have had sex since the pill was late you may
want to think about using emergency contraception to reduce your chances of
becoming pregnant. Continue to take your pills. Your contraception will work
again after two days (that is once you have taken two pills at the right time)
so use condoms until then.
I missed the last pill in my packet what now?
Forgetting one pill anywhere in the packet on the progestogen-only pill means
that you are not protected. Continue to take your pills. Your contraception will
work again after two days (that is once you have taken two pills at the right
time). If you have had sex since the pill was late you may want to think about
using emergency contraception to reduce your chances of becoming pregnant.
I have been away and forgot to take my pills so I have missed three out of my packet what now?
Whichever pill you are taking it is important to restart your pills now. If
you are taking the progestogen only pill then forgetting three pills means that
you are not protected against pregnancy. If you have had sex since the first
pill was late you may want to think about using emergency contraception to
reduce your chances of becoming pregnant. Your contraception will work again
after two days (that is once you have taken two pills at the right time).
Please note that this is a guide only - if you have any further concerns, consult your GP or contact the fpa immediately.
