CONTRACEPTIVE OPTIONS – HORMONAL METHODS – ORAL PROGESTIN-ONLY MINIPILL (BRAND NAMES: MI-CRONOR, OVRETTE, NOR-QD)
The progestin-only pill (or POP) acts on mucus in the cervix to prevent sperm from reaching the egg. It is taken daily and has a failure rate of two pregnancies for every one hundred women taking it. This pill is the preferred option for women with diabetes who have other medical problems, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure. It can also be used during breastfeeding, as it does not suppress milk production. The problem with this class of pills is that because they contain only progesterone, there is an increased risk of breakthrough menstrual bleeding (bleeding between menstrual cycles). If you experience intercyclical bleeding, you should use a back-up means of birth control such as a condom.
