Norgeston
"A highly effective mini pill contraceptive. As it contains only progestogen, Norgeston is a good alternative to the combined pill for some women."
What is Norgeston?
Norgeston is an effective contraceptive mini pill that contains only the hormone levonorgestrel (progestogen). If you take it at the same time every day, it’s 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.
How does it work?
Norgeston is a progestogen-only contraceptive pill (POP) with the active ingredient levonorgestrel. It works to prevent pregnancy by:
- Stopping your ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation).
- Thickening the mucus in your cervix to make it harder for sperm to reach an egg.
- Thinning the lining of the womb, so an egg is less likely to implant itself.
How to use Norgeston
Take 1 pill on the first day of your cycle, and always at the same time (within 3 hours) to stay protected against pregnancy. Take your packs of Norgeston back-to-back without a break, continuing through your period.
Effectiveness
If you take it as prescribed, the contraceptive pill Norgeston can be up to 99% effective. However, if you’re vomiting or have severe diarrhoea while taking this pill, you may not be protected against pregnancy. If you can have sex, use condoms along with continuing to take the pill as usual. If the vomiting continues for more than 24 hours, follow the same steps as you would for a missed pill.
Important: you should only start taking the Norgeston pill if you’re certain you aren’t pregnant.
Side effects of Norgeston
As with all medications, some women may experience side effects when taking Norgeston. These can include headaches, feeling sick, stomach pain, sore breasts, acne, and mood changes.
For full details of side effects and correct use, see the Norgeston patient information leaflet. And if you’re worried about side effects, you can contact us in your Patient Record.
Product features
99% effective when you take it in the same 3 hour window every day
A daily tablet that contains progestogen only
Has few reported side effects
What is Norgeston?
Norgeston is an effective contraceptive mini pill that contains only the hormone levonorgestrel (progestogen). If you take it at the same time every day, it’s 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.
How does it work?
Norgeston is a progestogen-only contraceptive pill (POP) with the active ingredient levonorgestrel. It works to prevent pregnancy by:
- Stopping your ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation).
- Thickening the mucus in your cervix to make it harder for sperm to reach an egg.
- Thinning the lining of the womb, so an egg is less likely to implant itself.
How to use Norgeston
Take 1 pill on the first day of your cycle, and always at the same time (within 3 hours) to stay protected against pregnancy. Take your packs of Norgeston back-to-back without a break, continuing through your period.
Effectiveness
If you take it as prescribed, the contraceptive pill Norgeston can be up to 99% effective. However, if you’re vomiting or have severe diarrhoea while taking this pill, you may not be protected against pregnancy. If you can have sex, use condoms along with continuing to take the pill as usual. If the vomiting continues for more than 24 hours, follow the same steps as you would for a missed pill.
Important: you should only start taking the Norgeston pill if you’re certain you aren’t pregnant.
Side effects of Norgeston
As with all medications, some women may experience side effects when taking Norgeston. These can include headaches, feeling sick, stomach pain, sore breasts, acne, and mood changes.
For full details of side effects and correct use, see the Norgeston patient information leaflet. And if you’re worried about side effects, you can contact us in your Patient Record.
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Norgeston FAQs
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How long does Norgeston take to work?
If you begin taking the Norgeston mini pill on days 1-5 of your period, this should give you immediate protection against pregnancy. If you start taking the mini pill on any other day of your cycle, you will need to use condoms or another form of barrier contraception for the first 2 days until the pill becomes effective.
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Does Norgeston stop periods?
You need to take Norgeston continuously with no break between packs. Some women get irregular periods, a little unexpected bleeding, spotting, or no periods at all while they’re taking it. Especially during the first few months.
These changes are normally nothing to worry about and need no treatment. If you keep taking Norgeston each day at the same time as prescribed, any changes should disappear after your first few packs.
You should try to keep to a strict routine, as not taking your pills regularly in the daily three hour window could lead to unexpected bleeding. Other medicines reacting with Norgeston could also be the cause.
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Who can take Norgeston?
Before taking Norgeston you should tell our clinicians if you have any medical problems or illnesses. They’ll be able to explain your other birth control options.
Taking Norgeston could put your health at risk if:
- You’re pregnant, or suspect you might be.
- You’ve ever had a severe liver disease and have received liver function test results that are not yet back to normal.
- You have, or have ever had, a tumour in the liver.
- You have, or have ever had, a cancer affected by sex hormones, such as breast cancer.
- You have any unexplained bleeding from the vagina.
- You have ever had a problem with your blood circulation. This includes a blood clot (thrombosis) in the legs (deep vein thrombosis), lungs (pulmonary embolism), heart (heart attack), brain (stroke) or any other parts of the body.
- You have severe diabetes with changes to the blood vessels.
- You are allergic (hypersensitive) to any of the ingredients in Norgeston.
Norgeston can make some illnesses worse, meaning it might not be the right birth control option for you. So, remind your doctor or tell your clinician if:
- You have diabetes.
- You have ever had a pregnancy develop outside the womb (an ectopic pregnancy) or one of your Fallopian tubes is missing.
- You have ovarian cysts.
- You have ever suffered from yellowing of the skin (jaundice).
- You have ever suffered from persistent itching (pruritus).
- You have brown patches on your face or body (chloasma). If so, avoid UV light and try not to spend too much time in the sun.
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Can I take Norgeston while breastfeeding?
You can take Norgeston while breastfeeding. There’s no evidence to suggest that progestogen-only pills affect breast milk or impact on the growth or development of a healthy baby.
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What if I miss my Norgeston pill?
You should take the pill as soon as you remember. Then take your next pill at the normal time. This could mean taking 2 pills in one day.
If you don’t take your pill within the usual 3 hour window, you won’t be protected against pregnancy. So, continue to take your pills as normal, but use a condom for the next 2 days. You may need emergency contraception if you had unprotected sex during those 2 days. We can prescribe this online for you too.
For full details of correct use and what to do if you miss a pill, please see the Norgeston patient information leaflet. If you need more advice you can contact us in your Patient Record.
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Where can I buy Norgeston?
Norgeston is a prescription only medication, but you can get it prescribed and buy it online. However, make sure you’re using a regulated health service with professionally qualified and registered clinicians. Our service meets all these standards.
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What to do if I get Norgeston side effects
As with all medications, some women may experience side effects when taking Norgeston. You should message us in your Patient Record if you get any side effects that you think are from taking Norgeston, especially if they’re severe and persistent.
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Norgeston warnings
Taking the pill can slightly increase your risk of having a blood clot (a thrombosis), especially in your first year of taking it.
Norgeston won’t protect you against sexually transmitted infections like Chlamydia or HIV. Only condoms can help with this.
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Norgeston drug interactions
You should be able to take Norgeston alongside other medicines. So that our clinicians can prescribe it safely, you’ll need to let us know which prescription, over-the-counter medicines and recreational drugs you’re taking regularly.
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Alternative Norgeston contraception
Mini pills like Norgeston are just one of a wide range of contraceptives we can advise you on and prescribe. These include NuvaRing, Evra Patch, the contraceptive injection, combined pills and progestogen only pills.
See our full contraception range here.
You can also get long-acting contraceptives through your GP or family planning clinic. These include the coil, implants, and contraceptive injections.
