Minipill

Minipill
A form of oral contraceptive taken daily, like combined oral contraceptives (the "pill"), but containing only the hormone progestin and no estrogen. The minipill works by reducing and thickening cervical mucus to prevent sperm from reaching the egg. It also keeps the uterine lining from thickening, which prevents a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus. The minipill is slightly less effective in preventing conception than the pill. The minipill can decrease menstrual bleeding and cramps as well as diminish the risks of endometrial and ovarian cancer and pelvic inflammatory disease. Because the minipill contains no estrogen, it does not present the risk of blood clots associated with estrogen in combined pills. The minipill is a useful option for women who cannot take estrogen because they are breast-feeding or because estrogen-containing products cause them to have severe headaches or high blood pressure. The side effects of the minipill include menstrual cycle changes, weight gain, and breast tenderness.

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mini·pill 'min-ē-.pil n a birth control pill that is intended to minimize side effects, contains a very low dose of a progestogen and esp. norethindrone but no estrogen, and is taken daily

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min·i·pill (minґe-pil) progestin-only contraceptive.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • minipill — noun Date: 1968 a birth control pill that contains a very low dose of progesterone but no estrogen, is taken daily, and is intended to minimize side effects …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • minipill — /min ee pil /, n. Pharm. an oral birth control pill that contains only a progestin and is to be taken daily without monthly cessation. [1965 70; MINI + PILL1] * * * …   Universalium

  • minipill — n. type of birth control pill containing progesterone …   English contemporary dictionary

  • minipill — /ˈmɪnipɪl/ (say mineepil) noun a contraceptive pill of low dosage, containing only progesterone …  

  • minipill — n. a contraceptive pill containing a progestogen only (not oestrogen). * * * /min ee pil /, n. Pharm. an oral birth control pill that contains only a progestin and is to be taken daily without monthly cessation. [1965 70; MINI + PILL1] * * *… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Contraceptive, minipill — A form of oral contraceptive taken daily, like combined oral contraceptives (the pill ), but containing only the hormone progestin and no estrogen. The minipill works by reducing and thickening cervical mucus to prevent sperm from reaching the… …   Medical dictionary

  • Combined oral contraceptive pill — (COCP) Background Birth control type Hormonal First use ? …   Wikipedia

  • Progestogen-only pill — (POP) Background Birth control type Hormonal First use 1973 Failure rates (first year) Perfect use 0.5% Typical use 8.0% …   Wikipedia

  • Comparison of birth control methods — Different types of birth control methods have large differences in effectiveness, actions required of users, and side effects. Contents 1 Ease of use 2 User dependence 3 Side effects 4 Effectiveness …   Wikipedia

  • Birth control — For other uses, see Birth control (disambiguation). Birth control is an umbrella term for several techniques and methods used to prevent fertilization or to interrupt pregnancy at various stages. Birth control techniques and methods include… …   Wikipedia

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