Norgeston Mini Pill

Norgeston contraception treatment

Norgeston is a daily contraceptive progestogen-only mini-pill. It has the active ingredient levonorgestrel. If you want to change your contraception, complete a free routine contraception consultation.

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How do I take Norgeston?

In order for Norgeston to be fully effective at stopping pregnancy (up to 99%), it must be taken:

  • Daily

  • At or around the same time

  • Back-to-back with the previous pack of Norgeston (do not stop taking if you are on your period)

It’s important to take Norgeston at a consistent time or it will not provide effective contraception. Do not wait more than three hours since the time you took Norgeston the previous day as this is likely to reduce the contraceptive effect.

How does Norgeston work?

The levonorgestrel in Norgeston reduces the likelihood of getting pregnant by:

  • Encouraging your body to stop ovulating

  • Increasing the thickness of mucus in the womb, which makes it harder for sperm to reach a released egg

  • Thins the lining of the womb, making it difficult for a fertilised egg to implant

Is Norgeston effective?

As mentioned above, if used correctly Norgeston can be up to 99% effective.

However, the following can affect Norgeston’s effectiveness:

  • Taking Norgeston more than three hours late

  • Diarrhoea

  • Vomiting

If you want to have sex while any of the above are happening, use a condom for the next two days.

Does Norgeston have side effects?

Like most treatments, there is a chance you will experience side effects if you are taking Norgeston. However, side effects from Norgeston are generally rare.

If you do get side effects from Norgeston, they’re likely to be:

  • Nausea

  • Mood changes

  • Headaches and dizziness

  • Changes to your periods

Stop taking Norgeston and get in contact with your GP immediately if you start to experience the following:

  • Severe headaches

  • Changes to eyesight or speech

  • Pain or swelling in the leg

  • Pain breathing

  • Allergic reaction

  • Lumps in breast tissue

  • Jaundice

If you’re worried about the potential side effects of Norgeston, read through the patient information leaflet or contact us via your Account.

I’ve forgotten to take Norgeston. What should I do?

If you’ve missed a dose of Norgeston:

  • Take the pill you’ve missed as soon as possible

  • Take your next scheduled pill at your regular time

If you’ve taken your missed dose more than three hours later than your regular time, continue to take Norgeston but use extra contraception such as condoms if you’re planning on having sex during in the next seven days.

If you have had sex during this time, you may require the morning after pill.

Contraception medicines

Frequently asked questions

Yes - there’s currently no evidence that Norgeston will affect breastmilk or babies that drink it.

No, Norgeston is a prescription-only pill. You will need a prescription from a clinician before you can purchase Norgeston.

Yes, you can swap to Norgeston from a different contraceptive pill. Make sure you talk to your GP before you make the change.

It’s recommended that you go straight from one treatment to the other without a break. Check with your GP if you would be protected from pregnancy during the changeover. If not, you might have to use condoms if you want to have sex during this period.

There currently isn’t any evidence that Norgeston shouldn’t affect how any other treatments you might be taking work. However, Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare (FRSH) guidelines state that the contraceptive effectiveness of progestogen-only pills could be reduced by concomitant use of certain medications.

It’s important that our clinicians are aware of any medicines, treatments or recreational drugs you might be taking so that we can provide the most suitable treatment for you. Make sure to be comprehensive and honest during your consultation.

If you’re interested in alternative contraception, we offer a wide range of treatments. These include contraceptive pills like Noriday, patches and NuvaRing. See our Contraception range above.

Alternate contraception options available through sexual health and family planning clinics or your GP can include injections, the coil or contraceptive implants.

If you would prefer a non-medical contraceptive option, condoms are considered to be up to 98% effective when used correctly (and are able to protect against STIs).