Hana

The Hana contraceptive pill is a progestogen-only option. So it’s especially good for women who can’t use or don’t like combined hormonal birth control. The Hana pill contains desogestrel (DSG), ^[1] which is also used in other pills like Cerelle and Cerazette.

The Hana mini pill has no pill-free break, so you won’t need to worry about remembering to start again after a week of not taking it. You can just take it every day.

Hana is safer for women who have blood clot risk factors such as high blood pressure, are over 35 or who smoke.

How effective is Hana?

Hana is over 99% effective, provided you take the pill exactly as directed.^[2] How effective any oral contraceptive is depends on how well you use it. Typical use (making the occasional mistake or missing a pill) reduces pregnancy protection to about 91%.

To make sure the pill is as effective as possible, it’s best to follow the instructions as closely as you can. If you miss a pill, refer to the instructions to see what you should do next.

Is it safe?

Yes. Hana is a mini pill, so it has a lower risk of some side effects than most combined pills. ^[3] This oral contraceptive is safe for breastfeeding women or women with increased risk factors for a blood clot. It’s also ideal for women with a low oestrogen tolerance who get side effects on the combined pill.

Some women who use the progesterone only pill experience side effects. More common side effects include nausea, breast pain and irregular periods. These often tend to be mild and only last for a short time, while your body gets used to the hormone in the pill. But on rare occasions, it can cause more serious side effects. So if you notice any side effects that concern you, get medical advice right away.

To make sure the pill is effective, it’s important to follow the Hana instructions as closely as you can.

• Take the Hana mini pill at the same time every day
• Take your first Hana pill on your first day of menstruation
• Then, take a pill every day with no breaks for safe use.
• There’s no cause for alarm if you’re still bleeding while on the Hana pill
• Once your first Hana pack is over, start on a new strip the next day

The best day to start taking the Hana mini pill is the first day of your menstrual cycle, because you’ll be protected straight away. If you start taking it after this, it will take up to a week to become effective, so you’ll need to use barrier contraception (such as a condom) to protect you during this time.

Try not to panic if you miss a Hana pill. You can still take it within 12 hours of your normal time and be protected. However, if you miss a Hana pill by more than 12 hours, you’ll need to use additional contraception such as a condom for seven days. If you’re more than 12 hours late taking your pill, take it as soon as you remember and then take your next pill as normal – even if it means taking two pills on the same day. If you miss more than one pill, check the instruction leaflet for advice on what to do next.