CKS is no longer commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). NICE remains committed to providing a replacement service for CKS and is currently reviewing its options. In the meantime, although CKS content is now not being maintained, it still remains relevant and will continue to be made available. CKS content was generated under a programme of topic creation and update. To check if the topic you are viewing is current or out of date, please refer to the topic publication details by clicking on the 'How up-to-date is this topic?' link in the left hand menu on individual topic pages.
Contraception - Management
How should a woman switch to the progestogen-only pill (POP) from another method?
- Changing from a combined oral contraceptive (COC): the progestogen-only pill (POP) may be started immediately.
- Changing from an injectable progestogen-only contraceptive: the POP should be started on the day that the injection would have been given.
- Changing from a copper intrauterine device (IUD) or levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (IUS):
- The POP is most conveniently begun within 5 days of the start of menstrual bleeding. No additional contraceptive protection is needed. The IUD can be removed at this time.
- The woman can also start a POP at any other time, if it is reasonably certain that she is not pregnant. Because the POP will become effective after 48 hours, the IUD or IUS should not be removed before this if she has been sexually active in the past 7 days, or if she requires interim protection from the IUD or IUS.
- Changing from a non-hormonal method (other than a copper IUD): start the POP within 5 days of the start of menstrual bleeding:
- If the POP is started outside of day 5, additional contraception should be used for the first 48 hours.
In depth
© NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement