Main takeaways
Nikki is an oral contraceptive that uses synthetic versions of two hormones, estrogen and progestin, to help prevent pregnancy. It is considered a low dose birth control.
Every Nikki medication pill pack comes with 28 pills. 24 of these are pink and contain hormones. The remaining four pills are white and act as placebos.
Nikki can help prevent pregnancy and is FDA approved to help the symptoms of PMDD, PCOS, and acne.
Nikki is a highly effective form of birth control, butit doesn’t protect against the transmission of STDs or HIV.
When used perfectly, Nikki is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
Nikki Birth Control Guide: Uses, Effectiveness & Side Effects
Birth control is always a tricky topic to navigate. There are plenty of oral contraceptives available for women and people who menstruate. However, you don’t want to make the wrong decision about a birth control pill and end up with unpleasant side effects, so it is important to consult a health care provider for medical advice before use.
Each birth control pill comes with its own unique formula. This means that the way your body reacts can also vary widely.
You should learn about the different hormonal contraceptive options available so you can make an informed decision about your health and what’s right for your body. One of those options that might be right for you is Nikki. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Nikki birth control combination pills and how it may affect your body.
What is Nikki?
Nikki birth control is a type of combination oral contraceptive hormonal birth control, much like Apri birth control, that works to prevent you from becoming pregnant. When you purchase a package of these pills from healthcare practitioners, you receive 28 tablets. They are separated into two different colors:
24 pink pills that contain the active hormones
4 white placebo pills that don’t contain hormones
You take the four placebo pills during your period and the 24 pink pills during the rest of your cycle. The placebo pill doesn’t have any active ingredients, but they are quite helpful when it comes to keeping you in the habit of taking pills every morning. When taking these placebo pills, you’re less likely to forget to begin a new pack.
Nikki contains two different hormones:
Drospirenone – Drospirenone is a synthetic form of progesterone. It’s often used in birth control pills in combination with estrogen to prevent pregnancy. Drospirenone may also have efficacy in treating symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder and acne.
Ethinylestradiol – The other hormone in Nikki is a synthetic form of estrogen. Ethinyl estradiol is typically paired with progesterone to help prevent pregnancy and treat acne, symptoms of menopause, and other issues.
When you take a combination pill, such as Nikki, the two hormones team up to prevent pregnancy in the following ways:
Changes in cervical mucus – Cervical mucus is the fluid produced by your cervix. When you’re most fertile, the mucus is thin and easy for sperm to swim through. Oral contraceptives make mucus inside the body thicker, causing the mucus to thicken so sperm has a harder time reaching your uterus.
Preventing ovulation – Birth control pills can also prevent ovulation, which is the process by which your ovaries release an egg. Fertilization cannot take place without an egg.
What are the Pros and Cons of Using Nikki?
With perfect usage, oral contraceptives are highly effective at preventing pregnancy. They require little from you other than remembering to take a pill each morning. Outside of ease of use, there are several other benefits to using a combination oral contraceptive such as Nikki.
Benefits of Using Nikki
Nikki’s blend of estrogen and progestin make this pill a potential tool to manage symptoms related to your hormones and menstrual cycle, including:
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) – If your premenstrual symptoms are extreme and interfere with the quality of your life, your doctor may prescribe a pill to help manage them. Oral contraceptives such as Nikki that contain drospirenone are shown to reduce the unwelcome symptoms of PMDD.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) – PCOS is a hormone disorder that can lead to weight gain, excessive body hair, acne, and irregular periods. Oral contraceptives are often prescribed to balance hormones and promote regular menstruation.
Acne – Birth control pills are also frequently prescribed as a method of managing hormonal acne. They aren’t the first line of defense, but if you don’t wish to become pregnant, pills like Nikki may help you improve your skin’s overall appearance.
Potential Disadvantages of Nikki
Any birth control pill comes with certain downsides and Nikki is no different. While many people can use Nikki without any major problems, there are a few things you should be aware of:
Nikki only protects against pregnancy, not STDs
There are some side effects associated with oral contraceptives
People with certain existing conditions should not use Nikki
Overall, the disadvantages related to Nikki birth control are similar to other oral contraceptives.
Who Should Use Nikki?
When it comes to condoms vs birth control pills, women and people who menstruate may want to consider a birth control pill as their contraception of choice. A few questions you can walk through to help you make a decision include:
Does Nikki fit into my healthcare budget?
Can I commit to a daily schedule for my pill intake?
Do I understand the potential side effects associated with Nikki?
The key to effective oral contraceptive use is to remember to take your pills every day. If you can’t do so, another method might be a better choice.
Are There People Who Should Not Use Nikki?
Because of the risk of certain side effects, Nikki isn’t a good birth control option for some people. This includes individuals who:
Suffer from adrenal insufficiency
Are at high risk for blood clots
Have or have had certain cancers
Any of these conditions or factors can cause serious side effects for those who take Nikki.
How to Use Nikki
Nikki birth control is quite simple to use and must be taken every day. Once prescribed, it is recommended that patients start the birth control the day they receive it.
There are two other times in your monthly cycle that you can start using Nikki birth control:
Day 1 start – Take the pink pill on the first day of your period. Continue to take the pills in order—24 pink pills followed by four white pills. Begin a new pack the day after the last white pill has been used.
Sunday start – With period starting on a Sunday, take the pink pill on the first Sunday after. Follow the same process as you would for a Day 1 start with all pink pills used before the four white pills.
With either method, you should be prepared to use a non-hormonal form of contraception for at least seven days after you begin to use Nikki. This backup can help prevent pregnancy as your body adjusts.
Nikki Effectiveness
When used perfectly, Nikki is a highly-effective form of birth control. This means you must remember to take your pill every day and follow all of the instructions provided with your prescription. If you do so, you can expect Nikki to be 99% effective at preventing pregnancy with perfect use.
However, Nikki does not help protect you against STDs or HIV. You should use an additional form of non-hormonal, barrier protection to keep you and your partner safe.
What are the Side Effects of Nikki?
Hormonal birth control methods often come with some side effects. Since you’re taking a pill that impacts your menstrual cycle, you might experience a change in bleeding during your period. Some people have lighter and shorter periods while taking Nikki. Others may experience heavier bleeding for a time. However, your cycle should become more regular with continued use.
Some other common side effects include:
If you continue to have side effects that disrupt your quality of life, you should speak with your healthcare professional about alternative options, such as a vaginal ring like Annovera birth control. Some people may also experience more severe issues when taking Nikki. Although rare, the estrogen in the pill may increase your risk for:
To lessen the risk of these severe problems, you should speak with your doctor if you:
Have a history of blood clots
Suffer from heart disease
Any of these factors can increase your risk for adverse reactions to birth control pills containing estrogen.
Find the Reproductive Health Support You Need with The Pill Club
Nikki birth control is a combination form of oral contraceptive that combines the power of both estrogen and progestin. Besides its high rate of effectiveness in preventing pregnancy, Nikki may mitigate unpleasant symptoms of PMDD. If you think Nikki might be the perfect pill match for your reproductive health needs, The Pill Club can help you get started. If Nikki is not the right fit for you, Isibloom birth control could be an effective alternative as well.
The Pill Club is a service that offers telemedicine consultations, prescriptions services, and more. Our mission is to provide the personalized care you need to take control of your reproductive health. Visit our site today to learn more about The Pill Club and how we can help you make the right decisions for your body.
At The Pill Club, our goal is to provide the most up-to-date, objective, and research-based information to help readers make informed decisions. Articles are written by experienced contributors; they are grounded in research and evidence-based practices. All information has been fact-checked and extensively reviewed by our team of experts to ensure content is accurate and on par with current industry standards. Articles contain trusted third-party sources that are either directly linked to in the text or listed at the bottom to take readers directly to the source.