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Progestogen-Only Pill (POP)

Schedule

One tablet taken daily.

Locations

Online. Anywhere in the UK.

Effectiveness

Over 99% effective when taken correctly. Otherwise, considered 91% effective.

Fees

£30/3 months. Learn more.

Contraceptive pills, patches and the morning after pill are offered after a telephone call with a Specialist Nurse.

Journey Overview

Receive your combined contraceptive pills with a simple online process. Start with a questionnaire, followed by a telephone call with a specialist nurse if needed. Your medication will then be posted to you.

#1 Online Questionnaire

We will request you to fill out an online questionnaire to ensure that Progestogen-Only Pill (POP) is safe for you.

#2 Telephone Call (if needed)

In the event that our clinicians have any questions, they will give you a telephone call to clarify.

#3 Post Medications

Once your request has been reviewed and the medications dispensed, we will post it out to you via Royal Mail Tracked 24.

Patient Feedback

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C
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I've been trying to get my coil replaced since May on the NHS, but they couldn't do it as my threads have been cut too short. Waiting lists for NHS gynae appointment are insane (~1 year) so after some deliberating I decided to go private. I chose Clarewell Clinics as they had great reviews and also compared to other clinics, were a lot more reasonably priced. I booked an ultrasound guided coil removal in hopes that Dr. Elena would be able to do it without needing to go down a more invasive route. Thankfully, she did it with ease and also replaced it with a Mirena coil (on the NHS they had told me my uterus was too small so had to go with Kyleena). It was such a more pleasant experience than when I did it on the NHS. Dr. Elena and Yemi kept me comfortable and eased my anxiety the whole way through the process. The pain relief options were also better- air and gas was a lifesaver! I could still feel the pain but it was milder and so much more bareable than the insertion I had 5 years ago. It was over quickly and I was sent away with a heat pack to ease the cramping afterwards. Thank you so much Dr Elena, Yemi and also Ryaan for being a friendly face in the reception. I would thoroughly recommend Clarewell Clinics :)
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K S
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I had a mirena replacement with Elena, supported by Ryan. I have previously had bad experiences, but the approach here and the pain management meant if I had to come back next week for another one, I’d do it. I arrived feeling sick and shaking but Ryan put me at ease, Elena did a fantastic and quick job and the gas and air made a huge difference, I barely felt anything. The whole team were friendly and welcoming and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them. I had an injection and she didn’t wait for pain to come to manage it, it was managed upfront. I’m so incredibly grateful, thank you. Ryan and Elena are a fantastic team
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P R
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Mr Aaron Williams saw us while we were visiting London from the US and he treated us well, with compassion and professionalism. Seeing him helped put us at ease for the rest of our trip, which ended up being great.
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E R
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Incredible care and treatment. Can't thank Dr Jayadeva and his team enough who put me at great ease and looked after me. Wonderful clinic will be recommending.
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A L
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I had a copper coil removal yesterday with Dr Praveen Jayadeva. If you are at all nervous about an iud fitting or removal, I couldn't recommend this clinic enough. I had a very painful experience at a different clinic that made me really scared about the removal procedure. They really take the time to talk you through what's going to happen and what type of pain relief options you have. They were so friendly and comforting (both the doctor and the amazing assistant) and procedure was so quick. They even offer you tea and biscuits afterwards. Really fantastic and professional clinic!
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B G
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I had a coil done here. It was an amazing experience, really worth the money paid. The doctor took the time to go through the process and all the options in detail. I felt prepared and well cared for. I had numbing gel and spray and also gas and air. The actual coil fitting was less then 5 minutes. I felt a little discomfort, but the gas and air managed this very well. The team were all very supportive and caring. My coil lasts for 5 years, I'm very happy with my experience. Could not recommend enough.
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D
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Dr. Malu was able to help me fully understand and put into context my concerns surrounding HPV, which at times can feel like a confusing subject. His ability to listen and understand my concerns with empathy and without judgement was very helpful. I am grateful for the expertise and care given by Dr. Malu and the staff at his clinic. The team provides a very professional and comfortable experience.
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A R
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Fantastic and caring team from booking process, reception, appointment and billing. Went for a coil removal. They had ultrasound and gas for pain management (when I checked it seemed they were the only clinic that offered this!!). 100% recommend. Especially if you’re getting a coil, want to make sure you do it with a top professional team. I inserted it elsewhere and it was a barbaric procedure for me, insanely painful and just awful. So save yourself unnecessary trauma/pain
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A
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I had such a great experience at Clarewell Clinic. I was extremely nervous about the pain before my copper IUD fitting, but Dr Praveen Jayadeva explained everything clearly throughout the appointment and made me feel completely comfortable. I was given pain relief and the fitting was honestly so much easier than I expected — I barely felt any pain at all. Yasmin was also incredibly lovely and reassuring throughout. I’m genuinely so happy I chose Clarewell and would definitely recommend them. 10/10.

Eligibility

Best For

Women over 35, smokers, high blood pressure.

Pregnancy/Breastfeeding

Safe for breastfeeding; small amount may pass.

Menstruation

Can be started at any point in cycle.

Do NOT use if

Taking medications for epilepsy, HIV, tuberculosis.

Fees

Short Term Methods

Combined Pill - £30/3 Months Supply

Contraceptive Injection - £100/Injection

EVRA Patches - £110/12 Months Supply

Progesterone Only Pill - £30/3 Months Supply

Local Anaesthetic

Included in the procedure

Consultation

Same Appointment as Procedure: Included in the procedure fee

Separate Appointment as Procedure (Specialist Nurse): £75

Separate Appointment as Procedure (Specialist Doc): £150

Payment Options

  • Self Pay - By Cash/Card), but not American Express
  • Health insurance
  • Klarna – a payment plan to split the cost over 4 payments.

FAQs

What are the benefits of the Progestogen-Only Pill?
  • Effectiveness: If taken correctly, it can be up to 99% effective.
  • Quick acting: Once taken, it will be effective after 2 days.
  • Helps with heavy & painful periods: It may help with premenstrual symptoms and painful periods.
  • Safe medication: The POP is safe for women over 35 who smoke, have high blood pressure, a history of blood clots, or migraines and headaches. It is also safe for women who are breastfeeding (though a small amount of Progestogen may pass into your milk, it is not harmful to your baby), and it is safe to use after a miscarriage or abortion.
What are possible side effects of POP?

Possible side effects include:

  • Weight: There is no evidence that POP causes weight gain, but hormones affect women differently, and some may see an increase in appetite or fluid retention.
  • Skin: Skin changes can be a temporary side effect that should settle after 3 months, but they can sometimes persist.
  • Periods: A common effect is irregular periods, which may be more or less frequent, lighter, or include spotting. In a small number of women, periods may stop altogether.
  • Breasts: Research on the risk of breast cancer and hormonal contraception is complex and contradictory. There is not enough evidence to say that the progestogen-only pill does not increase the risk of breast cancer.
  • Sex drive: Some women may notice a decrease or increase in libido, while others may not notice any change.
  • Headaches/Migraines: Some women may experience an increase in headaches when they first start the method. If these persist, switching to other types of POP is an option.
  • Nausea/Vomiting: This method does not normally cause nausea and vomiting, but if it happens, it can affect how the pill works and increase the pregnancy risk.
  • Mood: All hormonal methods can affect mood, which normally settles within the first few months. If mood changes are causing difficulties, swapping pills or changing methods is an option.
  • Ovarian cysts: The use of POP may lead to the development of small fluid-filled cysts on the ovaries. Often there are no symptoms, but when present, they typically manifest as pelvic pain and usually disappear without treatment.
  • Ectopic pregnancy: If you become pregnant while taking the Progestogen-Only Pill, there appears to be a slightly higher chance (1 in 10) that the fertilized egg will implant outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube.
Is POP safe for me?

POP is safe for most women. The main circumstances where it may not be safe for you include those who are taking certain medications for epilepsy, HIV, and tuberculosis, as this may affect the pill's effectiveness.

How often should I take POP?

You have to take one pill every day without any break and can start at any point in your cycle.

  • If you’re taking traditional POP, you must take the pill within 3 hours of the same time every day.
  • If you’re taking Desogestrel POP, you must take the pill within 12 hours of the same time every day.
What happens if I forget to take the pill?

You can be up to 3 hours late taking POP (or up to 12 hours if you’re taking a Desogestrel Progestogen-Only Pill) without any problems. However, if it is longer than this, you may NOT be protected from pregnancy. In such an event:

  • Take one pill as soon as you remember (and only one).
  • Take one pill at the same time as you normally would (this may mean taking two pills on the same day—one when you remember and one at the normal time).
  • Use another method of contraception for the next 48 hours or abstain from sex.
  • If you had unprotected sex during the 2 days of missing your pill, you may need to take The Morning-after pill as soon as possible.
What should I do if I’m sick or have diarrhoea?

If you vomit within two hours of taking POP, you will need to take another pill. As long as you don’t vomit again, you are still protected against pregnancy. You can continue to take your next pill as per normal.

How do I stop taking POP?

You can stop taking POP at any time of your cycle. However, please note that it is possible for you to get pregnant as soon as you stop, because the lining of your womb starts to thicken immediately.

Page last reviewed by Julie Milsom (Specialist Nurse in Sexual Health) on 27 April 2021 for general guidance only. It is not intended to replace the advice of your clinician.