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Risks
By Mayo Clinic staffAn estimated 1 to 13 out of 100 women who use the minipill will get pregnant in the first year of use. The failure rate of the minipill in highly fertile women is higher than that of other hormonal contraceptive methods.
If you become pregnant while taking the minipill, it may be difficult to recognize the signs and symptoms of pregnancy. In addition, if you do conceive there's a slightly higher chance that the pregnancy will be ectopic — when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube.
The minipill won't protect you from sexually transmitted infections, and it may be less effective than combination birth control pills.
Side effects of the minipill may include:
- Acne
- Breast tenderness
- Decreased libido
- Depression
- Headache
- Irregular menstrual bleeding
- Nausea
- Ovarian cysts
- Weight gain
- FAQs: Birth control pills. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/faq/faq021.cfm. Accessed Sept. 27, 2011.
- Frequently asked questions: Birth control methods. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/birth-control-methods.cfm. Accessed Sept. 27, 2011.
- Cullins V. Counseling women seeking hormonal contraception. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 27, 2011.
- Kaunitz AM. Progestin-only (minipills) for contraception. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 27, 2011.
- Schorge JO, et al. Williams Gynecology. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3151449. Accessed Sept. 27, 2011.
- Progestin-only contraceptives. In: Zieman M, et al. A Pocket Guide to Managing Contraception. Tiger, Ga.: Bridging the Gap Communications; 2010:117.
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