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a) POPs may be taken at any time of the day for effective use during breastfeeding. The client may wish to select a certain time to help her remember to take a pill every day; it may help to link this time to a daily event.
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a) Breastfeeding women have additional protection due to their lower fecundity. Clinical trial data indicate that the pregnancy protection conferred by POP use during breastfeeding is extremely high. The synergistic pregnancy protection by POP use in combination with breastfeeding should sufficiently eliminate a client's risk of conception, even if she takes POPs at different times of the day.
- Dunson T, McLaurin V, Grubb G, Rosman A. A multicenter clinical trial of a progestin-only oral contraceptive in lactating women. Contraception 1993;47:23-35.
- Wright SW, Fotherby K, Fairweather F. Effect of daily small doses of norgestrel on ovarian function. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the British Commonwealth 1970; 77:65-8.
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b) However, if a woman continues taking POPs after breastfeeding cessation, then it is important to take the POP at the same time every day, preferably late afternoon or four to five hours before the usual time of sexual activity, so that the pill's effect on the cervical mucus is at its maximum by the time sexual activity occurs.
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b) The most immediate contraceptive effect of POPs is the alteration of cervical mucus. The POP's effect on cervical mucus peaks approximately four to five hours after ingestion of the pill, and is essentially gone by 24 hours after taking one POP.
- McCann MF, Potter LS. Progestin-only oral contraception: a comprehensive review. Contraception 1994;50(6).
- Chretien FC, Sureau C, Neau C. Experimental study of cervical blockage induced by continuous low-dose oral progestogens. Contraception 1980;22:445-56.
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