Health Conditions

Benefits

No risk of:

• Clotting abnormalities
• Estrogen side effects
• High blood pressure
• Interference with milk production for breast-feeding women

Reduced:

• Menstrual blood flow
• Menstrual pain
• Risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Possibly reduced risk of iron deficiency anemia

Risks

No protection against sexually transmitted infections

Higher failure rate than COCs

Effectiveness depends on regular, consistent dosing every day at the same time of day

Increased risk of:

• Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation)
• Ectopic pregnancy (a fertilized egg that has implanted outside the uterus)
• Irregular menstruation
• Reduced blood flow during menstrual periods
• Shortened menstrual periods
• Spotting (small amounts of blood from the vagina) between menstrual periods

Possible progestin side effects:

• Acne
• Depression
• Increased appetite
• Irregular menstrual bleeding
• Weight gain

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Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not intended to diagnose a health condition, but it can be used as a guide to help you decide if you should seek professional treatment or to help you learn more about your condition once it has been diagnosed.