• It is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy if taken correctly
• It is taken every day with no breaks between packs
• You can take this method of contraception if you’re over 35 and smoke
• It doesn’t protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) so you will need to use condoms as well
• Some medicines may affect its effectiveness – always ask your doctor or nurse for more information

Most women can take the progesterone only pill. However, you may not be able to take it if you’ve had:

• heart disease
• liver disease
• breast cancer
• cysts on your ovaries
• unexplained vaginal bleeding

If you’re healthy and there are no medical reasons why you should not take the progestogen-only pill, you can take it until your menopause or until you are 55.

If you are breastfeeding it is safe to use and does not affect the way your breast milk is produced.

If you are more than three or 12 hours late if you are taking POPs containing the hormone desogestrel:

• Take a pill as soon as you remember. If you have missed more than one, only take one
• Take your next pill at the usual time. This may mean taking two pills in one day. This is not harmful
• You are not protected against pregnancy. Continue to take your pills as usual, but use an additional method of contraception, such as condoms, for the next two days.

If you are less than three or 12 hours late if you are taking POPs containing the hormone desogestrel:

• Take a pill as soon as you remember, and take the next one at the usual time, even if this means taking two pills in the same day. You are protected from pregnancy.