How do they work?
The mini pill is a form of contraception that works in 3 ways it increases the natural mucus on the neck of the womb making it more difficult for sperm to break through and this meaning it is less likely for fertilisation to take place. It also works to prevent ovulation and to decrease quality of the womb lining so preventing any fertilised eggs to attach o the womb meaning no pregnancy.
To begin taking the pill you wait until your period begins and then take the first pill the first day of your cycle up to the 5th day and this begins the routine. This will begin to work straight away and will be as effective as can be from day one of taking. You can also take at any time but this is only advised if you know for sure you are not pregnant and you then have to allow a week for the pill to start working.
Taking the pill
The fantastic thing about these is they are so small so I have no problem taking them I really dislike taking tablets so this is a fantastic advantage of this pill. In the box you receive stickers so that you can label what day you began taking the tablets and this means that you always know what day you started and if you have taken each pill on the day as with someone as forgetful as me it keeps you on track .
The main reason I was put on this pill is that others were not working for me they made me bleed in between periods caused bloating and a few other uncomfortable symptoms but upon taking these I found there were no side effects at all for me. Unlike other pills with the mini pill you take the pills everyday with no break at all so even when your period arrives you take the pill meaning there is no chance of forgetting when to take and not take the pill which for someone as forgetful as me is great.
I found it was best to take these in the evening after my dinner as then I was set in a routine and always remembered when to take them. The doctor also advises to take them at the same time each day as this provides the best effectiveness when they are taken at the same time each day.
If you miss a pill it is advised to take it within 12 hours and it will still be effective but anything longer than 12 hours then continue to take it as normal but use a different form of contraception for the next 3 days and even missing 1 pill can mean they do not work in the way they should and you will be able to fall pregnant.
Where to get the mini pill
You can get these pills from your doctor they often like to try a different range of pills and if you have problems with one they will move you on to another I tried 2 different pills before settling with these as they gave me no side effects at all. I was told the previous two may not have worked as well as I had to have an operation to remove a dermoid cyst from my ovary and my right ovary was completely removed which can cause an imbalance in hormones. I was started off on a 3 month prescription and then the next was a 6 months prescription after a check up with the doctor.
Are they effective?
They did regulate my period it would come each month on time every time it also helped shorten my periods rather than a 6 day period mine was cut down to 3 days each and every month and they were not as heavy or painful as they had previously been before I started taking the pill.
For the first 9 months they worked well but then the 10th month even though I had been taking them as advised I had a little surprise my period was late and after 2 weeks of wondering I decided to take that all important test. Then I found out I was pregnant so they are not 100 % effective I did not realise how much so until I fell pregnant at least 10 people have said to me since I fell pregnant on the pill I was naive and just thought they worked well I know they say there is always a chance but you never think it will happen to you.
Side effects
I was lucky and received no side effects at all with these pills but it is common for some women to have bad reactions some of the side effects possible include
Changes in menstrual bleeding, eg irregular bleeding or sometimes stopping of bleeding.
Mood changes.
Decreased sex drive.
Headache.
Nausea.
Acne.
Breast tenderness.
Weight gain.
Summary
These pills did not work for me they seemed fine for the first 9 months I was taking them but on the 10th month we found I became one of the small percentages that fell pregnant. All in all my husband and I are over the moon to be welcoming another child so it was a happy surprise but after we have had little one I will be seeking a different form of contraception as the pill is not a safe option for me anymore.
