What should you know about the mini pill (progestin-only pill)?

The mini pill contains a progestin hormone rather than the oestrogen used in a combined pill. Depending on the formulation, it mainly thickens cervical mucus, changes the womb lining, and may prevent ovulation. It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Bleeding may become lighter, less predictable, more frequent, or may stop while taking it; these changes do not necessarily mean the medicine is harming you.

Some medicines and herbal products can reduce contraceptive protection, and vomiting or severe diarrhoea can affect absorption. A pharmacist or prescriber can check the exact product and your other medicines.

Take one tablet every day, following the pack instructions, and start the next pack without a hormone-free break unless your clinician has given different directions. Use an alarm or link the dose with a daily routine. If a tablet is late or missed, follow the instructions for your specific brand because the allowed timing window differs between products. Extra contraception may be needed, and emergency contraception may be worth discussing after unprotected sex.

Tell your clinician if you have unexplained vaginal bleeding, liver disease, breast cancer, or are taking medicines for seizures, tuberculosis, HIV, or other long-term conditions. A clinician can help choose an option that fits breastfeeding, migraine history, and your pregnancy plans.

Seek urgent help for severe lower abdominal pain, fainting, marked weakness, or a positive pregnancy test with pain or bleeding. Arrange medical advice for very heavy or persistent bleeding, new severe headaches, vision changes, chest pain, breathlessness, or one-sided leg swelling. If you miss pills and your period is unusually late, take a pregnancy test and discuss the result with a clinician.

Ask which mini pill timing window applies to your brand, what to do after a missed tablet, and whether any medicines or supplements interact with it. You can also ask whether [Levonorgestrel](/materials/levonorgestrel/) is relevant to emergency contraception or whether the [Combined Pill](/treatments/contraception-and-family-planning/combined-pill/) is suitable for you.