You’ve probably heard or seen that the O-Pill is now available over the counter – meaning you can buy it in stores without a prescription from your primary care doctor.
At Alpha Center, we want to provide you with the information you need about your reproductive healthcare decisions, and the O-Pill is no different!
What is the o-pill?
The O-Pill, sometimes known as “the mini pill,” is a progesterone-only form of birth control that thickens the lining of the uterus and the cervical mucus to prevent sperm from reaching the egg. In about half of women, ovulation will stop as well, further protecting the user from pregnancy. If there is no ovulation, sperm cannot meet the egg, and pregnancy will not occur.
The O-Pill has been around since 1973 and comes in a pack of 28 tablets. Because the medication does not always stop ovulation, it is taken every day, and there are no placebos in the regimen.
why take a progesterone-only birth control over other forms of birth control?
Progesterone-only birth control can be a good option for women who:
- Experience negative effects from birth control methods that contain estrogen.
- Have a health condition that prevents them from taking combination birth control, like high blood pressure, diabetes, or other cardiovascular conditions.
- Are breastfeeding.
- Want their fertility to come back easily or don’t need birth control to be long-lasting.
- Want to be able to purchase over the counter, online, or confidentially.
- Want to skip their monthly bleeding.
are there side effects?
The O-Pill is commonly associated with:
- Spotting or irregular bleeding
- Acne
- Breast Tenderness
- Decreased Sex Drive
- Depression
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Unplanned pregnancy, if not taken as directed
how effective is the o-pill?
When used as directed (meaning at the same time every day with no missed doses), the O-Pill is 98% effective in preventing pregnancy. However, with typical use, about 9 in 100 women will get pregnant while using the medication within the span of one year.
The O-Pill should become effective 48 hours after the first dose is taken.
Our Medical Director, Dr. Karen Hayes, notes that it is extremely important to take the medication at the same time each day, both to prevent pregnancy and to avoid abnormal uterine bleeding. Because the medication contains a lower dosage of hormones, it will become ineffective if not taken at the same time each day.
If a patient is more than three hours late in taking the pill, backup birth control or abstinence should be used for the next two days.
who should not take this medication?
Patients who have a history of breast cancer or liver disease should not take O-Pill. Additionally, those who have a progesterone-sensitive form of cancer should not take the O-Pill.
Patients who would have a hard time remembering to take the pill each day are not good candidates for this medication.
what if i forget to take the o-pill?
If you miss a day OR are more than three hours late in taking your tablet, use a condom or other backup method of birth control each time you have sex during the next two days. Failure to do so can result in pregnancy.
does birth control prevent stds?
No, the O-Pill prevents pregnancy but is not effective in preventing STDs. For patients who have multiple partners, condoms or dental dams should be used to prevent the spread of STDs.
Alpha Center provides routine STD screenings for HIV, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, and Chlamydia at no cost to our patients. Call 970.239.2272 or visit www.thealphacenter.org to request an appointment.
What if I Become Pregnant While Taking the O-Pill?
If you discover that you are pregnant while on the O-Pill, you should stop taking it and contact your primary care provider. Dr. Hayes notes that there is a slightly increased risk of ectopic pregnancy if you become pregnant while taking the O-Pill.
If you’re not sure what to do about your pregnancy, Alpha Center can help by providing pregnancy testing, pre-abortion screenings which include gestational dating and viability ultrasounds. Call 970.239.2272 or visit www.thealphacenter.org to request an appointment.
Is O-Pill Right For Me?
Before you start taking O-Pill to prevent pregnancy, talk to your primary care provider about any other medications you are taking and what risk factors you might have. Though the pill is available over the counter, it is always recommended to talk to your doctor about your family planning strategies.
If you are in a situation where avoiding pregnancy is very important, or you have trouble taking medications on a strict schedule, a long-form or stronger version of birth control such as Nexplanon, an IUD, or combination birth control may be a better option for you.