Local Contraceptives > Mini Pills
Mini Pills
Mini Pills or Progestin-only Pills (POPs) are hormonal contraceptives that only use progestin.
These pills are generally prescribed to breastfeeding women as it contains no estrogen. Similar to regular Birth Control Pills,
POPs work by thickening the cervical mucus, preventing ovulation, and thinning out the lining of the uterus.
In the Philippines, there are only three brands of Mini Pills available, and they all come in 28-pill packets:
Exluton, Daphne, and Cerazette.
Doctor's
Notes
Because it affects the hormones, taking mini pills may cause changes to your menstrual cycle. You may experience a heavier period or have no period at all. Nonetheless, you may also experience other side effects similar to what you feel during menstruation.
How it Works
POPs should be taken at the same time each day for its full contraceptive effect
to take place. However, this contraceptive is still not as effective for women who are non-breastfeeding
compared to regular birth control pills.
Nonetheless, in starting to take POPs, the following steps should be taken:
Before going on the pill, it is heavily advised to seek for medical guidance first. Finding the most suitable contraceptive for you also means having your other health factors considered by a doctor.
Common
side effects
The mini pill, often recommended for breastfeeding women,
can lead to changes in bleeding patterns, such as irregular, infrequent, prolonged, or no bleeding at all.
Breastfeeding itself may also delay the return of menstruation. Headaches, breast tenderness, nausea, mood changes,
or dizziness may also be experienced by some.
For non-breastfeeding women, similar side effects may occur, and some may develop enlarged ovarian follicles,
containing egg cells, which is typically harmless and resolves on its own. Overall, these side effects are
usually mild and tend to subside as the body adjusts.