PROGESTOGEN-ONLY PILLS (POPs)
POPs contain only a progestogen and no estrogen.
When can a woman start POPs?
Postpartum (breastfeeding or non-breastfeeding)
- If she is less than 21 days postpartum, she can start POPs at any time. No additional contraceptive protection is needed.*
- If she is 21 or more days postpartum and her menstrual cycles have not returned, she can start POPs at any time, if it is reasonably certain that she is not pregnant. She will need to abstain from sex or use additional contraceptive protection for the next 2 days.
- If her menstrual cycles have returned, she can start POPs as advised for other women having menstrual cycles.
* It is highly unlikely that a woman will ovulate and be at risk of pregnancy during the first 21 days postpartum. However, for programmatic reasons, some contraceptive methods may be provided during this period.