- Abnormal Smear
- Abnormalities of the Uterus
- Abnormalities of the Vagina
- Adenomyosis
- Amenorrhea
- Atrophic Vaginitis
- Bacterial Vaginosis
- Barrier Contraception
- Bartholins Cysts
- Caesarean Section
- Cervical Cancer
- Cervical Screening
- Childbirth
- Chlamydia
- Clitoral Hoodectomy
- Colposcopy
- Colposcopy
- Contraceptive Pill
- Dysmenorrhoea
- Dyspareunia
- Ectopic Pregnancy
- Endometrial Hyperplasia
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Gonorrhoea
- Heavy Periods
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Hymenoplasty
- Hysterectomy
- Incontinence
- Incontinence
- Infertility
- Intrauterine Devices
- Labial Reduction
- Loss Of Libido
- Menorrhagia
- Menstrual Disorders
- Miscarriage
- Natural Family Planning
- Oligomenorrhoea
- Ovarian Cancer
- Ovarian Cysts
- Pelvic Floor Exercises
- Pelvic Floor Restoration
- Perineoplasty
- Polycystic Ovaries
- Polymenorrhoea
- Post-Coital Bleeding
- Pregnancy Scanning
- Premature Menopause
- Progesterone Contraceptive Pill
- Pruritus Vulva
- Sterilisation
- Syphilis
- The Wart Virus
- Thrush
- Treatment for CIN
- Uterine Cancer
- Uterine Prolapse
- Vaginal Cancer
- Vaginal Cysts
- Vaginal Discharge
- Vaginal Infections
- Vaginal Prolapse
- Vaginal Tightening
- Vulva Cancer
- Vulval Anatomy
- Vulval Dystrophy
- Vulvodynia
- Well Women Checks
Progesterone Only Contraceptive Pill
The progesterone only contraceptive pill is more accurately known as the progestogen only contraceptive pill, as it contains no progesterone. Instead, it contains a variety of progestogens, which are chemically similar in composition to progesterone. The contraceptive pill works similarly to the COC (combined oral contraceptive pill), except the progesterone only contraceptive pill contains no oestrogen.
The effect of the progesterone only contraceptive pill depends entirely upon the dosage taken. There are three different classes of strengths when it comes to this contraceptive method. The weakest type of progesterone only pill is administered orally, and works by thickening the mucus in the cervix to prevent the sperm from entering the uterus. The mucus creates a physical barrier, and in this way acts as a contraceptive. This weak concentration of the progesterone only contraceptive pill also affects ovulation, but only slightly and inconsistently. It can sometimes affect the cycles of one in two women, but this irregularity makes it an unreliable contraceptive if the user is relying upon it’s ability to affect their menstrual cycle.
A more effective method is for the user to take the standard strength of progesterone contraceptive pill. This pill has the same effects on the mucus in the cervix as the weaker version, and is also orally administered, but inhibits almost all menstrual cycles in all women. Between 1 and 3% of cycles will not be affected by this pill, which makes it extremely reliable, and a good option for many women. But for those who want to be 100% sure, there is the option of the strongest concentration of progesterone only contraceptive pill. This pill affects all cycles in all women, and has the same effect on the mucus in the cervix as the other concentrations. This for of contraceptive is administered by an injection.
The lack of oestrogen in these pills means that women are at less risk of developing conditions that are triggered by high levels of oestrogen. Some studies have linked the development of breast cancer with women taking this contraceptive pill, although there is no clear evidence to support this. Side effects of this form of contraception include mood swings and light spotting after having taken the pill for a length of time. Perhaps one of the main reasons why these pills are not used more often is that they must be taken daily within the same 3 hour period to be effective.