Norgeston

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Reviewed on Jan 22, 2025. by Mr Craig Marsh Independent Prescriber Registered with GPhC (No. 2070724) Next review due on Jan 22, 2028.

Last updated on Jan 22, 2025.

Product info

Norgeston is a mini pill that contains a single hormone — levonorgestrel.
Like combined pills, it provides over 99% protection when used correctly.
Each pill is printed with a day of the week and an arrow system to follow.

Price checker

Prices include:

Express shipping
24 hour shipping by secure courier.
Consultation + Access to our clinicians
Ask our experts anything you like, any time you want.
Total
£26.95

Save £0.00 each order

Norgeston: essential info
Norgeston: instructions
Important stuff you need to know
FAQ

What is the Norgeston pill?

Norgeston is a contraceptive pill that contains just one hormone, levonorgestrel, a type of progesterone that is highly effective at preventing pregnancies.

Progesterone only pills like Norgeston are sometimes known as mini pills, or POPs. They are just as effective as the combined pill at preventing pregnancies when taken correctly.

How do Norgeston pills work?

Every month, when your body gears itself up for pregnancy, ovulation takes place. This is where the ovary releases an egg that travels to the uterus to be fertilised by sperm. If the egg is fertilised, it latches on to the wall of the uterus and begins to grow. If the egg isn’t fertilised, you don’t get pregnant.

Hormones in the body cause ovulation, and thicken the uterine wall, which creates the right conditions for a fertilised egg to attach itself to the wall and grow there.

The body already contains the naturally occurring hormones progesterone and oestrogen, and when the hormone in Norgeston, levonorgestrel, is added to the mix, it alters the hormonal balance slightly. Ovulation is prevented, and the mucus in the cervix is made thicker, making it a lot more difficult for sperm to reach an egg.

How effective is Norgeston?

If you take it correctly, Norgeston is over 99% effective. So to put this into perspective, out of 100 women taking Norgeston over a 12-month period, less than one will get pregnant. This is known as ‘perfect use’ of the pill.

It’s not quite as effective if you miss the odd pill or are late taking it. This is sometimes called typical use, where effectiveness drops to around 91%. So out of 100 women taking it for a year, nine will become pregnant.

If you want to get as much protection as you can from Norgeston, aim for ‘perfect use’.

Treated trusted sources:

Cooper, D.B. and Mahdy, H. (2020). Oral Contraceptive Pills. Stat Pearls. U.S.A. NCBI.

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Mr Craig Marsh on January 22, 2025. Next review due on January 22, 2028.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

How to take Norgeston

There are 35 pills in every strip of Norgeston. Each pill has a day of the week printed next to it, and you should follow the direction of the arrows. Take one pill at the same time every day, without taking any breaks between one strip and the next.

If you need to, swallow each pill whole with water, but don’t chew the pills.

Start taking Norgeston on the first day of your period, as this gives you immediate protection from pregnancy. If you’re switching from a progesterone only pill to Norgeston, you can start taking Norgeston at any point without your protection from pregnancy being affected.

If you’re switching from the combined pill to Norgeston, start taking Norgeston the day after your last active pill. You don’t need to use any extra contraception, such as condoms.

Norgeston and missed pills

If you miss a pill, follow the instructions that come with your medication.

The missed pill window for Norgeston is three hours, so if you’re less than three hours late taking a pill, your protection from pregnancy shouldn’t be impacted. Just take it as soon as you remember, even if it means taking two pills in one day. Take any pills that follow at the usual time.

If you’re more than three hours late, or you’ve missed more than one pill, you may be at greater risk of getting pregnant. Take your next pills as you would normally and use additional contraception, such as condoms, for the following seven days. If you’ve missed any pills in a strip and had sex during the week before missing any pills, your risk of becoming pregnant will likely be increased.

If you miss more than one pill, or if you’re more than three hours late in taking a pill and are concerned, speak to your prescribing clinician so they can discuss the situation with you and advise you on the next steps.

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Mr Craig Marsh on January 22, 2025. Next review due on January 22, 2028.

How we source info.

FAQ: Norgeston

Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

Can I get pregnant on Norgeston?

Answer:

You can, but it’s very unlikely if you take it as instructed. If you make mistakes when you’re using it, and have unprotected sex, your risk of pregnancy increases.

Even when taking it perfectly, it can’t be said to be 100% effective. But your risk of becoming pregnant is very remote, so you can use it with confidence.

Does Norgeston stop periods?

Answer:

Norgeston can stop periods, particularly during the first few months of taking it, but everyone reacts differently to the treatment. You may also find that you experience irregular periods, some unexpected bleeding or spotting. But usually, these changes aren’t anything to worry about and tend to go away once your body has adjusted to the medication.

Unexpected bleeding can also happen if you’re not taking your pill regularly. If you get any breakthrough bleeding or spotting that persists after a couple of months, or if you haven’t had a period for 6 weeks, let a clinician know.

If you experience any breakthrough bleeding having taken Norgeston for a while, or if you’ve stopped taking Norgeston and you still find that you’re bleeding, you should contact our clinician as soon as possible.

Does Norgeston make you gain weight?

Answer:

There’s no substantial evidence that any contraceptive pills lead to significant weight gain or weight loss.[popover id=ref2]

You can put on a small amount of weight when you’re taking the mini pill to begin with, but this can be caused by the body retaining more water than it would normally during certain points of your cycle. You should find that it disappears within a few months of taking the pill.

Is the 30mcg dose of Norgeston the only dose available?

Answer:

There’s only one dose of Norgeston. If you get any side effects whilst you’re taking it, or if you’re looking for a mini pill with a higher hormonal dose, speak to our clinician. They may suggest that you try a different pill.

There are many different types of contraceptive pills with various hormones and strengths. So you are likely to find the right balance for you.

Can you get Norgeston without a prescription?

Answer:

No. Mini pills in the UK are prescription only contraceptives.

Some mini pills aren’t safe for certain women to use, so you need to have a consultation with a registered clinician. They can help to pick out the right options for you based on your medical background, and any symptoms or side effects you’re prone to with the pill.

Can Norgeston give me acne?

Answer:

Mini pills only contain a type of progesterone, which increases the skin’s production of an oily substance called sebum. Sebum helps to protect the skin, but excess amounts of it can cause spots and block pores.

If you’re looking for a pill that can help to treat acne, the combined contraceptive pill, which contains a type of oestrogen as well as a progesterone, has shown to be effective in some cases.