Thinking of Taking the Mini Pill for Birth Control? Here’s What You Need to Know!

The desogestrel Mini Pill, also known as the progestogen-only pill, is a daily tablet that contains one hormone, a synthetic progesterone called desogestrel. It is considered safe and effective in preventing pregnancy and can be used by women who cannot use estrogen-containing contraceptives.

The Mini Pill mimics the naturally-occurring female sex hormone progesterone and prevents the release of an egg during the menstrual cycle. The Mini Pill also makes it harder for sperm to reach the egg by thickening the mucus within the cervix.

The Mini Pill referred to and all relevant information in this article is applicable to the desogestrel-only version.

You can read more about it on the NHS website and on our Contraceptive Pill Treatment Page.

Here are some facts you need to know!

• The Mini Pill is very effective
• When taken correctly, the Mini Pill is more than 99% effective. This means fewer than 1 in 100 who take the pill as contraception will get pregnant in 1 year.
• With “typical use” of the Mini Pill (the way it’s taken by a lot of women in real life), it is around 91% effective.
• The Mini Pill effect kicks in quickly

The birth control effect starts working quickly, depending on when you start taking the Mini Pill during your menstrual cycle:

You have to take it around the same time each day

Creating a routine at the same time each day may help you remember to take the Mini Pill daily. For example, some people find it helps if they take it after their breakfast, or right before going to bed

If you forget to take the Mini Pill at the exact time, don’t fret! The desogestrel Mini Pill can be taken within 12 hours of your usual time. Just take it as soon as you remember.

If it has been more than 12 hours from your usual time, the protection is lost. This is considered a ‘missed pill’. Continue normal pill-taking but you must also use another method, such as the condom, for the next 2 days.

Does not protect against STIs

The Mini Pill does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Use external or internal condoms to help protect yourself from STIs.

Safe to use during breast feeding

The Mini Pill can be started any time after you’ve given birth.

If you start the Mini Pill 21 days after giving birth, use additional precautions for 2 days.

You can continue breast feeding whilst on the Mini Pill. A tiny amount of hormone enters your breast milk, but studies have shown this won’t harm the baby.

Be wary of sickness and diarrhoea

If you vomit within two hours of taking the Mini Pill, it won’t have been absorbed by your body. Take another pill as soon as you feel well enough. As long as you’re not sick again, your contraception won’t be affected. Take your next pill at the normal time. If you continue to be sick, seek advice.

If you have very severe diarrhoea that continues for more than 24 hours, this may make the Mini Pill less effective. Keep taking your pill at the normal time, but treat each day that you have severe diarrhoea as if you’d missed a pill and follow the missed pill instructions as above.

In conclusion, the Mini Pill is simple and effective in preventing pregnancy. Take it regularly, inform your healthcare provider of any changes, and consider non-hormonal alternatives if necessary.

You must always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new medication. You can contact a member of our Pharmacy Team on 0203 370 4321 or through our website (https://dosegb.com/contact/) for more information.

What is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy. Semaglutide was developed by Novo Nordisk in the early 2010s as a longer-acting alternative to a similar drug called liraglutide. Semaglutide was quickly considered an attractive anti-diabetic option. Not only was the once-weekly injection convenient to administer, semaglutide outperformed other more established anti-diabetic drugs in clinical trials, delivering more sustained reductions in blood sugar (glucose) levels and weight.

In 2018, Ozempic was granted a UK license so that it could be used to treat adults with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus. Ozempic can be prescribed in conjunction with other anti-diabetic medication, or in certain cases, just by itself to treat diabetes. Recently in 2021, Wegovy was approved by the UK regulatory agency for the purpose of weight loss in obese adults with a BMI ≥30 kg/m2.

How does Semaglutide work?

Our bodies naturally produce a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). GLP-1 has a few notable physiological properties that make it a useful target when treating diabetes, mainly its ability to increase insulin levels, slow down the body’s production of glucose, as well as reduce a person’s appetite.

Semaglutide is an agonist of the GLP-1 receptor, meaning it mimics the action of the natural GLP-1 hormone.

How does Semaglutide cause weight loss?

Semaglutide acts on GLP-1 receptors in the brain to make a person feel more sated and full. It also acts on the gut to slow down the passage of food, therefore causing a collective reduction in appetite. Trials of semaglutide showed that the drug not only drove people to consume less calories, it also helped improve a person’s control over their eating, reduce food cravings and decrease their preference for higher fat foods. When used as an adjunct to diet and exercise, it is easy to see how this drug can be effective at helping people lose weight.

What are some of the side effects from Semaglutide?

Common side effects can include nausea, constipation and diarrhoea, while less common side effects include altered taste and acute pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas.

It is important that read the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) included with the medication, and that you take individual advice from your healthcare team before starting Ozempic treatment and report any side effects if you experience any.

Can doctors prescribe Ozempic or Wegovy specifically for weight loss?

The short answer is yes. If Ozempic is prescribed only for weight loss and not to treat diabetes, this is considered an off-label (or off-license) use of the drug. It is important to note that prescribing Ozempic off-label is not illegal. Off-label prescribing of drugs is common practice in healthcare to treat conditions where a licensed alternative is not available – you can read more about it here in this leaflet by Oxford University Hospitals.

The use of Ozempic in helping patients lose weight attained so much mainstream attention that the company developed another semaglutide product, branded as Wegovy, specifically for the purpose of weight loss. Wegovy received US FDA and UK MHRA approval in 2021 and was approved by the EU in 2022.

It is important to note that Wegovy is licensed in the UK for weight management if a person is obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2), or is overweight (BMI ≥27 kg/m2 to <30 kg/m2) with at least one weight-related condition. If you do not fall in either category, the prescribing for Wegovy will still be considered off-label.

What should I know before I decide to pursue Ozempic or Wegovy for weight loss?

Semaglutide, whether the Ozempic or Wegovy brand, is a prescription-only medication (POM) in the UK. This means it can only be prescribed by an accredited healthcare professional competent in this field of treatment.

Therefore, you must be prepared to attend consultations with the prescriber and have your medical history and vitals (like body weight, blood pressure, heart rate etc.) taken to ensure you are suitable for semaglutide. Semaglutide should not be used in certain groups of people, for example in pregnant or breastfeeding women or people with moderate to severe heart failure. Your healthcare professional will be able to advise you more on whether you are suitable.

It is also important to remember – the drug does not work miracles. You still need to put in the hard work of having a healthy diet and exercising to get the weight loss effect you desire.

The drug is also not without its side effects. Although most of the gut-related effects like nausea, constipation and diarrhoea are self-limiting and generally subside over time, semaglutide has been linked to rare cases of acute pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis is a condition where the pancreas becomes inflamed (swollen) over a short period of time. Look out for common symptoms of acute pancreatitis, which include a sudden severe pain in the centre of your tummy, nausea and vomiting, and a high temperature of 38C or more (fever). Read more about it here. In instances where you suspect acute pancreatitis, speak to your GP immediately or ring NHS 111.

What is thrush?

Thrush is a yeast infection caused by an overgrowth of the Candida fungus. Around 40-60% of the population have Candida in their mouth and gastrointestinal tract (their gut). In healthy people, the presence of Candida is usually harmless. However, in certain conditions, such as in particularly moist and warm environments, the fungus may overgrow and cause an infection.

The condition can affect the mouth (oral thrush) or the genitals, with the vagina being far more commonly affected than the penis, and these are treated with different medications.

There are several highly effective thrush treatments that can control the spread of the Candida fungus, typically clearing the infection in just a single dose or a few applications of medication.

Fluconazole

Meet the heavy hitter of the antifungal world. Azoles like fluconazole disrupt ergosterol production which is crucial to the fungus’ survival, thereby preventing the spread and growth of Candida. Oral fluconazole is like the cavalry, combating the infection from within.

Fluconazole is a single dose treatment that comes in the form of a capsule taken orally. One dose of fluconazole is effective at clearing genital thrush within 48 hours (2 days), making it one of the fastest-acting treatments available.

Clotrimazole

A superstar in topical treatments, clotrimazole is available in creams and pessaries. It’s a potent fighter against the yeast, not only eliminating the infection but also effectively soothing the discomfort caused by thrush. The popular brand Canesten provides a wide range of treatments containing clotrimazole, varying in application method and strength.

Canesten Thrush Internal Cream and Canesten Thrush Pessary

Canesten Thrush Internal Cream and Canesten Thrush Pessary targets the genital thrush infection at the source. These are inserted into the vagina as a single dose treatment, typically clearing thrush within 3 days.

Canesten 1% External Cream and Canesten 2% External Cream

Canesten 1% External Cream and Canesten 2% External Cream are topical creams applied 2-3 times a day to the external areas of the genitals (e.g. vulva or penis tip) to treat thrush, being particularly effective at reducing irritation and itchiness.

It takes longer to treat thrush using external creams alone, typically taking between 7-14 days for a full treatment course.

Canesten Thrush Combi (Pessary and External Cream)

They say two heads are better than one, and in this case the combination preparation certainly is! Canesten Thrush Combi (Pessary and External Cream) combines both a single dose pessary as well as an external cream to combat both the internal infection and the external discomfort.

Buying a combi pack tends to work out cheaper than buying each treatment on its own – a win-win!

While these medications are effective, it’s essential to follow the prescribed dosage and duration for optimal results. Additionally, maintaining good genital hygiene and avoiding tight, irritating clothing can complement these treatments, expediting the healing process.

The choice of treatment depends on your preference, your medical condition(s) and affordability. As always, you must always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new medication. You can contact a member of our Pharmacy Team on 0203 370 4321 or through our website (https://dosegb.com/contact/) for more information.

With these effective medicines in your corner, you’re well-equipped to combat genital thrush and bid adieu to discomfort. Stay informed, and let these treatments pave the way for a thrush-free world down below!