Management of Side Effects with Progestin-Only Pills

Counseling and Effectiveness

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that if unscheduled spotting or bleeding persists and is unacceptable to the patient, consider alternative contraceptive methods 1
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that enhanced counseling about expected bleeding patterns and reassurance that these irregularities are generally not harmful can reduce method discontinuation 2
Approximately 9 out of 100 women become pregnant in the first year of use with typical use of progestin-only pills, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that progestin-only pills work primarily by thickening cervical mucus and may not always inhibit ovulation 3
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends consistent and correct use of condoms for STD protection, as progestin-only pills do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases 2

The American Academy of Dermatology notes that progestin-only pills may interfere with the contraceptive effect of microdosed progestin minipills 4