Oestrogen-Without Contraception
Oestrogen-without-estrogen contraception?
A minipill or a breastfeeding pill is contraceptive without estrogen.
An estrogen-suptakeable pill is as effective as the combined pill, but only contains a small amount of a progestogen. The absence of estrogen makes it recommended for women who are breast-feeding, oestrogen-intolerant or suffering from estrogen-related side effects caused by the combined pill.
What is a contraceptive oral progestin?
Also known as mini-pill, the “POP” (‘Progestogen-only pill’) act on the basis of their specificity in reproductive physiology and their actions include:
– Inhibition of ovulation;
– Endometrium changes, hindering or hindering implantation;
– Changes in tube mobility.
The oestrogen-free pill offers a consistent inhibition of ovulation and increases the consistency of cervical mucus. Studies indicate that this pill is very effective.
It can be taken with a delay of up to 12 hours if the user forgets to take it at normal time.
Sometimes it can cause bleeding between menstrual periods.
In what situations is it recommended to use a 'POP' contraceptive?
- Postpartum/breastfeeding;
- Combination of cardiovascular risk factors (obesity, tobacco, age);
- Age over 35 years;
- Women with migraines
- Thromboembolic risk factors (thrombophilia, family history, acute deep vein thrombosis with anticoagulant therapy);
- Arterial risk (hypertension, migraine, heart disease);
- Decrease in the intensity of the periods.
The minipill or breastfeeding pill has a reduced thromboembolic risk!
Progestagenes have a reduced impact on the blood clotting process. Epidemiological studies do not identify a significant risk of venous or arterial thromboembolic disease. Therefore, “POP” may be used by women with contraindication to combined hormonal contraceptives or in situations where their use is not recommended.
How to start taking a minipill?
Dose can be started within 5 days of the onset of menstruation (preferably on the first day of menstruation). If the onset of the dose is done after 5 days from the beginning of menstruation, additional protection should be used for 7 days.
Ideally, it should be taken at the same time every day, but a delay of up to 12 hours does not affect its effectiveness.
How effective is a contraceptive or oestrogen-suping pill?
The effectiveness of a contraceptive is expressed by the number of pregnancies occurring in 100 women, who use the method for 1 year. The doctors call it the Pearl Indíce. For example, if a contraceptive has a Pearl Index of 1%, it means that 1 woman out of 100 will be pregnant during its use for a period of 1 year. In other words, this method is 99% effective.
If the use is correct, regular and continued efficacy is very similar to the combined oral pill and failure rates are as low as 0.3 per 100 women year during the first year of use.
99% efficacy (www.infarmed.pt), provided taken correctly.
More Information
You can find more information about contraception on this page.
Editorial Note: This page and all other contents presented in lifewell.pt are prepared and reviewed by medical experts in Portugal.
Bibliography
-Regidor PA. The clinical relevance of progestogens in hormonal contraception: Present status and future developments. Oncotarget. 2018;9(77):34628-34638. Published 2018 Oct 2. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.26015
Le Moigne E, Tromeur C, Delluc A, et al. Risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism on progestin-only contraception: a cohort study. Haematologica. 2016;101(1):e12-e14. doi:10.3324/haematol.2015.134882
De Melo NR. Estrogen-Free Oral Hormonal Contraception: Benefits of the Progestin-Only Pill. Women’s Health. September 2010:721-735. doi:10.2217/WHE.10.36
