Understanding Birth Control Medications (Contrace (cont.)

Birth Control Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Omnia M Samra, MD

Coauthor:

Mary L Windle, PharmD

Medical Editor:

Suzanne R Trupin, MD

Medical Editor:

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD

Medical Editor:

Lee P Shulman, MD

Progesterone-Only Pills

Norethindrone (Nor-QD)

Progesterone-only pills (POPs), also known as mini-pills, are not used widely in the United States. Less than 1% of users of oral contraceptives use them as their only method of birth control. Those who use them include women who are breastfeeding and women who cannot take estrogen.

Use: POPs are ingested once daily, every day. POPs may be started on any day, and there are no pill-free days or different-colored pills to track. Since progesterone is the only hormonal ingredient, estrogen-related side effects are avoided. However, since POPs do not include estrogen, they have a higher failure rate. Users must take this pill at the same time daily for greatest effectiveness.

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