Feanolla

Feanolla is a POP which is a quicker way of saying progesterone-only pill (or mini pill). When you take it correctly – as in every day at the same time – it’s very effective at making sure you don’t get pregnant.

Feanolla contains one hormone: desogestrel. It’s a synthetic version of the naturally occurring hormone progesterone. This makes it different to the combined pill which contains two hormones (a progestogen and an oestrogen too).

How effective is Feanolla?

Very. So if you take it ‘perfectly’ (every day, at the same time, without making any mistakes) you can be assured of over 99% protection from pregnancy. So out of 100 women taking it over twelve months, fewer than one will get pregnant.

If you take it ‘typically’ (missing the odd pill, taking it late, pretty much just being a human) it’s slightly less effective: 91%. So in numbers, around nine in 100 women taking it this way over the course of a year will get pregnant.

Is Feanolla safe?

Yes. Feanolla is a reliable, reversible type of birth control pill. Just without oestrogen.

Because they don’t carry any oestrogen, mini pills are safer in many ways than combined pills (which are already safe to begin with). They carry a lower risk of blood clots, and are safer for women who are a little more likely to get them especially. They’re a safer option for breastfeeding women who need to steer clear of pills with oestrogen or women who get migraines with aura.

Take one pill every day at the same time. It’s a 28-day pill so you don’t take a break. Start your next strip the day after you finish your previous one.

Each strip comes with the days of the week marked above it. This allows you to keep track of what has been taken.

Bleeding on Feanolla can occur for some women and is often irregular. This tends to be at the start and settles down after a month or two of use. But let your prescriber know if this continues for a prolonged period of time. If you get particularly heavy or prolonged bleeding, you should see a clinician right away.

For more information about how to take Feanolla, read the package leaflet that comes with it.

If you’re not taking a contraceptive pill or using a hormonal contraceptive already, you can start Feanolla any time. Taking your first Feanolla pill on the first day of your period (when bleeding starts) means you’re covered straight away, and you don’t need to use extra precautions.

When you start Feanolla on any other day in your cycle, you’ll need to use an extra barrier contraceptive (like a condom) for the first seven days of use.

If you have taken the mini pill (or any other progesterone only method) up until the day of swapping to Feanolla, simply carry on as you would have with the other treatment.

If you were taking the combined pill (or any other method containing progesterone and oestrogen) up until starting Feanolla, then you can start taking Feanolla immediately and remain just as protected.

Check the leaflet that comes with your pill for advice on what to do next.

It’s best to take Feanolla at the same time every day. If you’re late taking it by less than 12 hours, you’re still protected. Just take your pill as soon as you remember and the next one at the time you normally would, and carry on.

If you’re more than 12 hours late, or miss more than one pill, your protection might be reduced. If this happens, take the most recent pill you missed, then the next one at the usual time. It might mean taking more than one on the same day.

To stay protected, you’ll need to use a condom or other barrier contraception for seven days if you have sex, if you’re late by more than 12 hours taking a pill, or miss one or more pills.