Progestogen-only contraceptive pill

The progestogen-only contraceptive pill contains progestogen alone. 

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. 

Progestogen-only contraception is particularly appropriate to women having an absolute contraindication for oestrogen, e.g. history of thromboembolism, smokers over 35 years (who refuse to give it up), and for diabetics. Hypertension is not an absolute contraindication to the more effective combined pill since only a proportion of women have oestrogen dependent hypertension (and often such women are normotensive until exposed to increased levels of oestrogen). It is used by lactating women as it interferes with the milk less than the combined pill. 

If two or more pills are missed from the last seven in a pack, EHC is not necessary providing that the next pack is started immediately, i.e. without the normal pill-free break, with a progestogen-only contraceptive ... 

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. 

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