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  • What is the Hana mini pill?

    The mini pill is a daily hormonal contraceptive used to prevent pregnancy in women and adolescents of child-bearing age. Unlike the combined oral contraception (COC) pill, which contains artificial versions of both oestrogen and progestogen, the Hana contraceptive pill only contains progestogen, and therefore is sometimes referred to as the progestogen only pill, progesterone only pill, or POP. Other popular mini pill brands containing the same ingredients include the Cerelle pill and the Cerazette pill, the only difference being that Hana is available over-the-counter whilst the others require a prescription.

    How does this mini pill work?

    The Hana mini pill contains an artificial progestogen (referred to as a progestin) that imitates the female sex hormone progesterone. This progestin is called desogestrel. Desogestrel works by preventing ovulation during the menstrual cycle, stopping an egg from being released. It also thickens the mucus in the cervix to make it harder for sperm to reach an egg. Additionally, desogestrel reduces the lining of the womb, making it more difficult for a fertilised egg to implant itself.

  • FeatureHana Mini Pill
    TypeProgestogen-only contraceptive pill

    Active Ingredient

    Desogestrel
    UsagePrevents ovulation, thickens cervical mucus, reduces womb lining
    Dosage1 tablet daily without interruption
    EffectivenessHighly effective in preventing pregnancy
    Side EffectsCommon: headache, nausea, altered mood, reduced libido; Uncommon: vomiting, vaginal infection, hair loss
    Missed DoseLess than 12 hours late: Take immediately; More than 12 hours late: Take most recent missed pill and use additional contraception for 7 days

    Severe Side Effects

    Swelling of face, sudden severe lower abdominal pain, chest pain should be reported immediately

    More Information

    Patient Information Leaflet provided
  • What are the side effects of the Hana mini pill?

    Like all medication, you may experience some side effects when taking the mini pill.

    Common side effects from taking the pill, which may affect up to 1 in 10 women, include:

    · Headache

    · Nausea

    · Altered mood

    · Reduced libido

    · Irregular or no periods

    · Breast pain

    · Increased body weight

    Uncommon mini pill side effects, which may affect up to 1 in 100 women, include:

    · Vomiting

    · Vaginal infection

    · Painful periods

    · Tiredness

    · Difficulties in wearing contact lenses

    · Hair loss

    · Ovarian cysts

    Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms, as they may indicate a more serious side effect:

    · Swollen face, lips, tongue and/or throat

    · A sudden or severe pain in the lower abdomen

    · Swelling, redness or pain in the leg

    · Chest pain, breathlessness or coughing up blood

  • How do you take the mini pill?

    The Hana mini pill is an oral tablet, and should be swallowed whole. You should take 1 tablet at the same time every day without a break between packs. This is important to ensure that the pill is successful at preventing pregnancy, so it’s recommended to pick a convenient time of the day and link it to something you already do every day, such as cleaning your teeth. The tablets are labelled with corresponding days of the week to help you keep track of taking one daily. Your period may become irregular or may stop entirely whilst you’re taking Hana, but this is not a cause for concern.

    What happens if you stop taking the mini pill?

    If you forget to take the Hana contraceptive pill, and are less than 12 hours late, take the tablet straight away. Take your further tablets as usual, which may mean taking two tablets over the course of the same day. If you do this in under 12 hours, your contraception should not be compromised.

    If you do not take the mini pill for more than 12 hours after you were meant to, take the most recently missed tablet immediately, leaving any earlier missed tablets. Take your further tablets as usual, which may mean taking two tablets in the same day. Use additional contraception, such as condoms, for the next 7 days. Missing one or more tablets in the first week of taking this mini pill, and having sex during the week prior to missing the tablets, puts you at the highest risk of getting pregnant. If this is the case, you may need to use an emergency contraceptive.

  • Patient Information Leaflet: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/958923/Hana_leaflet__annex_2_.pdf

     

Frequently asked questions
  • What is Hana and how does it work?

    Hana is a progestogen-only contraceptive pill, also known as the mini pill. It contains desogestrel, an artificial progestogen that prevents ovulation, thickens cervical mucus, and reduces the womb lining to prevent pregnancy.

  • What are the common side effects of Hana?

    Common side effects may include headache, nausea, altered mood, reduced libido, irregular or absent periods, breast pain, and increased body weight.

  • Are there any uncommon side effects of Hana?

    Uncommon side effects may include vomiting, vaginal infection, painful periods, tiredness, difficulties in wearing contact lenses, hair loss, and ovarian cysts.

  • How should I take Hana?

    Take one tablet of Hana at the same time every day without a break between packs. It's essential to take it consistently to ensure its effectiveness.

  • What should I do if I forget to take a Hana pill?

    If you're less than 12 hours late, take the missed pill immediately and continue as usual. If you're more than 12 hours late, take the most recent missed pill immediately and use additional contraception, such as condoms, for the next 7 days.

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