How the combined pills and mini pills are different

Dorothy Haywood (name changed) was married when she was 27. She was not only handling her family business but also she opened a boutique, a much cherished dream of hers. Despite being an extremely busy woman in her professional life, Dorothy never allowed her post marriage love life to be hampered, much to the amazement of her husband and in-laws. Everything was going according to her wish until Brian (name changed) was born after 3 years of her marriage. While breastfeeding her son, Dorothy started facing certain problems that she never experienced before. She started experiencing irregular menstruation, abnormal weight loss, change in breast shape and lack of libido for her partner. She used to be depressed most of the time and this sudden change of her nature led to emotional distance with her partner. Finding no other alternative Dorothy asked for medical consultation and she found that taking combined pills while breastfeeding was the root of her problems. This was the first time when she came to know about the mini pill.

The story of Dorothy is not an isolated example; rather many women in the UK suffer from the same condition. In addition, women with smoking addiction or those who are pregnant may suffer from these complications. There are several instances that may lead women to face these complications, such as because of their sensitivity to the ingredients of combined pills. In such cases mini pills or progestogen-only pills may provide them with the required relief with fewer side effects.

Mini pills or progestogen-only pills differ from combined oral contraceptives in terms of their chemical compositions. The combined pills contain two major female sex hormones – oestrogen and progestogen. Taking combined pills on a regular basis (for the first 21 days of a cycle followed by a seven day gap period) increases the level of these hormones in the blood. These two synthetic hormones mimic the action of the natural ones and make a female physical system believe that ovulation has already occurred; consequently, the risk of unwanted pregnancy is almost entirely eradicated. Mini pills like Cerazette and Micronor only contain progestogen and reduce the risk of pregnancy by thickening cervical mucus so that sperms cannot fertilise an egg. Women who are sensitive to combined pills due to the presence of oestrogen can take Cerazette and Micronor. These medications will give them almost 100% protection against unwanted pregnancy in the same manner as combined pills.

Medications like Cerazette and Micronor need to be taken differently than combined pills. While the combined pills need to be consumed for 21 consecutive days, these medications need to be continued for all 30 days. You can take your daily dosage with or after a meal around the same time everyday. In case you forget to take your dosage at the right time, you have the next 12 hours to ingest your pill. Using progestogen-only pills may help you to regulate your period or give you relief from dysmenorrhea. If you have skin problems these pills can also provide you with the desired relief. So, if you are into the same situation as Dorothy’s don’t feel helpless and choose the suitable mini pill that would keep you safe from unwanted pregnancy risk.