Risks

It's estimated that as many as 13 out of 100 women who use the minipill will get pregnant in a year of use. The failure rate of the minipill is thought to be higher than that of other hormonal contraceptive methods. In addition, the minipill won't protect you from sexually transmitted infections.

If you become pregnant while taking the minipill, there appears to be a slightly higher chance that the fertilized egg will implant outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube (ectopic pregnancy). However, there doesn't appear to be an increased risk of birth defects in babies born to women taking the minipill while pregnant.

Side effects of the minipill might include:

• Irregular menstrual bleeding
• Acne
• Breast tenderness
• Decreased sex drive (libido)
• Depression
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Ovarian cysts