When should it not be given? | The minipill

When should it not be given?

In case of hypersensitivity to progestin and other substances contained in the pill, the minipill should not be taken. The minipill should not be taken if you are already pregnant. The minipill should not be taken if a thrombosis is present.

Women with an increased risk of thrombosis or women with vascular changes, for example due to diabetes mellitus, should consult a doctor before taking the pill. Taking the pill is contraindicated in this case. The minipill should not be taken if there is a liver disease or liver tumor.

Other malignant tumors, especially sex hormone-dependent tumors such as breast cancer, are also considered an absolute contraindication. The minipill should also not be taken in cases of unexplained vaginal bleeding. Women must be very reliable in taking the minipill, because if they postpone taking it for a few hours contraception can no longer be guaranteed.

Pearl Index

The Pearl Index is a measure of the safety of contraceptives. The lower the value, the safer the method. The Pearl indices are used to compare the safety of two contraceptives.

The value of the Pearl index corresponds to the proportion of 100 women who use a particular contraceptive method for one year and still become pregnant. However, the reliability of most contraceptive methods depends crucially on correct use. The minipill is considered to be very safe when used correctly, comparable to the conventional combined pill. The Pearl index for the minipill is 0.14 to 3, which means that 0.14 to 3 out of every 100 women who use the minipill will become pregnant each year. The differences are mainly due to errors in taking the minipill, because the minipill allows little leeway and must be taken very reliably.

When is contraception safe?

If you start taking the minipill on the first day of your cycle, i.e. on the first day of your menstrual period, you are protected from the start of your cycle. If you start taking the pill at a later date, contraception is not guaranteed for the first seven days. Additional barrier methods should be used here.