Mini pill

A low dosage of progestin ( mini-pill ) is used, in the form of medroxyprogesterone acetate, which is active at a very low dose. The mini-pill does not inhibit ovulation, but rather interferes with the endometrium and the cervical mucus. The use of this pill prevents most of the side effects of oral contraception, specifically nausea, water retention, and in some cases thrombophlebitis. However, a lower success rate and other frequent side effects have reduced the widespread acceptance of this preparation. Nevertheless, the mini-pill has a role to play in certain specific situations. For example, in an uncommon form of epilepsy called catamenial epilepsy, female patients will experience seizures at particular times during their menstrual cycle, reflecting the fact that seizure focus is stimulated by estrogens but inhibited by progestins. In such women, the mini-pill may afford not only birth control but also improved seizure control. 

The oral formulation ( mini-pill ) is taken every day it must be taken at the same time each day (to within 3 hours). Oral progestogen-only contraception is less effective but safer (no effect on blood coagulation) than combined formulations. 

Landgren BM. Gestagen Methods (Depo-Provera, Mini-pill and Norplant). Uppsala Swedish Medical Products Agency, 1994 2. 

Mini pill, containing a progestin only taken daily without interval of withdrawal. 

The oral contraceptives are of two main types the combined hormonal contraceptives containing both an oestrogen and a progestogen (monophasic, biphasie, triphasie, or sequential), available as tablets or a patch, and the progestogen-only contraceptives, which are available as tablets (sometimes ealled mini pills), parenteral preparations (implants, depot injections) and intrauterine devices. 

Mini-pills These medications contain a low dose of gestagens. These drugs are recommended to women at late reproductive age or when combined medications are contraindicated. They merely raise the viscosity of the cervical mucus, and their reliability is lower than for the aforementioned methods. 

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