Health Centres - Norgeston
How does it work?
Norgeston tablets are a type of hormonal contraceptive commonly known as the 'mini pill' or progestogen-only pill. They contain the active ingredient levonorgestrel, which is a synthetic progestogen, similar to the natural progestogens produced by the body.
Norgeston tablets prevent pregnancy in three ways.
Firstly, they affect the natural mucus at the neck of the womb (cervix). Levonorgestrel increases the thickness of this mucus, making it more difficult for sperm to cross from the vagina into the womb. By preventing sperm entering the womb, successful fertilisation of an egg, leading to pregnancy, is less likely.
Levonorgestrel also changes the quality of the womb lining (endometrium). The changes prevent any eggs that have been fertilised from successfully implanting onto the wall of the womb.
Lastly, levonorgestrel may prevent the release of an egg from the ovaries, however, this may not occur in all women who take the mini-pill.
Norgeston tablets should be taken every day on a continuous basis, ie you take the packs back to back without a break, including when you are having a period. (This is unlike the combined pill, which is usually taken every day for three weeks, followed by a pill-free week.)
Ideally, you should start taking this pill on day one of your menstrual cycle (the first day of your period). This will protect you from pregnancy immediately and you won't need to use any additional methods of contraception. If necessary, you can also start taking it up to day five of your cycle without needing to use additional contraception when you start. However, if you have a short menstrual cycle (with your period coming every 23 days or less), starting as late as the fifth day of your cycle may not provide you with immediate contraceptive protection. You should talk to your doctor or nurse about this and whether you need to use an additional contraceptive method for the first two days.
You can also start taking this pill at any other time in your cycle if your doctor is reasonably sure that you are not pregnant. If you start taking this pill at any other time in your cycle, you will need to use additional contraception, eg condoms for the first two days of pill taking.
If you are starting this pill after giving birth, you are protected against pregnancy immediately and do not need to use extra contraception if you start taking it on day 21 after giving birth. (You can start before day 21, but this increases the risk of breakthrough bleeding and is unnecessary.) If you start taking it later than 21 days after giving birth, you should use extra contraception for the first two days.
If you are starting this pill immediately after a miscarriage or abortion at under 24 weeks, you will protected against pregnancy immediately.
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