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Progestin-Only Oral Contraceptives

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The Handbook of Contraception

Part of the book series: Current Clinical Practice ((CCP))

Abstract

Progestin-only pills (POPs) are often referred to as “mini-pills” as they contain about 75 % of the progestin dose contained in combination oral contraceptives (COCs) and no estrogen. Their typical effectiveness has been shown to be slightly less than COCs; most likely due to a more limited duration of effect and inconsistent ovulation suppression. POPs are associated with more breakthrough bleeding than COCs but fewer serious adverse events. Although not as well studied, POPs are thought to have many of the same non-contraceptive health benefits as COCs.

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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Suite 201-1801 Bowen Road, Nanaimo, BC, V9S 1H1, Canada

    Regina-Maria Renner MD, MPH, FRCSC, FACOG

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Rd., Portland, OR, 97239-3098, USA

    Alison Edelman MD, MPH

Authors
  1. Regina-Maria Renner MD, MPH, FRCSC, FACOG
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  2. Alison Edelman MD, MPH
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Regina-Maria Renner MD, MPH, FRCSC, FACOG .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck Medical School at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Donna Shoupe

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California, LOS ANGELES, California, USA

    Daniel R. Mishell, Jr.

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© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Renner, RM., Edelman, A. (2016). Progestin-Only Oral Contraceptives. In: Shoupe, D., Mishell, Jr., D. (eds) The Handbook of Contraception. Current Clinical Practice. Humana Press, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20185-6_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20185-6_5

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-20184-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-20185-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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