When you’re seeking a contraceptive to help you prevent pregnancy and support other health conditions, knowing all of your options can be a major help. While some types of birth control pills work through a combination of two hormones, another type uses only one.
These single-hormone pills are known as progestin-only pills, sometimes called the mini pill.
One type of progestin-only contraceptive pill is Slynd birth control. When used correctly, Slynd is about 96% effective at preventing pregnancy. Slynd can also help some people manage heavy, painful periods. It’s also an option for people who can’t use contraceptives containing estrogen.
If you’re considering using Slynd, it’s important to have all the facts—like how it works, its pros and cons, and precautions to take while using it. With this knowledge, you’ll be able to decide on the oral contraceptive that’s right for you.
What is Slynd?
Slynd birth control is a progestin-only hormonal birth control pill. This means it only uses one hormone instead of two to prevent pregnancy. Unlike combination pills, progestin-only pills don’t contain estrogen. This can be advantageous for those who cannot take a pill with estrogen in it for health reasons.
The single hormone in Slynd, progestin, performs the important duty of regulating menstruation in your body. A similar alternative to the Slynd mini-pill, is Norethindrone birth control, which also only contains progestin. The specific progestin used in Slynd is called drospirenone. Drospirenone is used to prevent pregnancy and may also be prescribed to assist with:
Unwelcome symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
Some people may wish to take Slynd rather than other pills because of these benefits. That said, the main purpose of Slynd birth control is to help you not become pregnant when you don’t wish to.
How does Slynd prevent pregnancy?
Birth control pills don’t just work like magic or by telling your body not to become pregnant—they actually have a role in changing your body’s functions to make pregnancy impossible, or at least less likely, while you are taking them.
Since pregnancy prevention is Slynd’s main job, let’s look more closely at how exactly Slynd works in your body.
Slynd prevents you from becoming pregnant in several ways:
Suppressing ovulation – The first way in which Slynd can help prevent unwanted pregnancy is by suppressing ovulation. When you ovulate, your ovaries release an egg. Slynd doesn’t entirely stop ovulation, butit can make it less likely that you will have a viable egg ready for fertilization.
Changing the consistency of cervical mucus – Next, Slynd changes the thickness of your cervical mucus. Typically, the texture of your cervical mucus differs throughout your monthly cycle. Around the time you ovulate, the mucus becomes thin and slippery to allow sperm to pass through more easily. Slynd helps keep the mucus thick and more difficult for sperm to permeate.
Making the uterine lining difficult to implant in– Lastly, Slynd can thin the lining of your uterus. This makes it more difficult for a fertilized egg to implant in your uterus and create a viable pregnancy.
What makes Slynd different from many other birth control pills?
You might be wondering what makes Slynd different from other birth control pills. While Slynd acts similarly to other progestin-only hormonal contraceptive pills, it has a slightly different formula—and this can change how it works for you.
Two key differences set Slynd apart, including:
Most drospirenone tablets contain 3mg of drospirenone. Slynd has a slightly higher dose of drospirenone, with each active tablet containing 4 mg.
The slightly higher dosage gives you a little more leeway if you forget to take a pill on time.
Let’s expand on that second bullet point. With most progestin-only pills, you only have a three-hour grace period if you miss any pills. This means that if you miss a pill, you have to remember to take it within three hours of the missed dose for the pill to be as effective.
But with Slynd, the increased dosage expands the grace period up to 24 hours. That means if you miss a dose of Slynd, you only have to take it within 24 hours of the missed dose for it to be as effective.
While it’s always better to always take your birth control on time, this flexibility can be an advantage to people who sometimes forget.
Is Slynd a good birth control method?
When used perfectly—meaning, you always remember to take your pills on time—Slynd is about 96% effective at preventing pregnancy. Like all contraceptives, however, Slynd comes with several potential benefits and possible drawbacks.
Let’s weigh the pros and cons to help you determine if Slynd could be the right choice for you.
Pros of using Slynd
Slynd’s unique formula does offer benefits to certain users. Some of the possible benefits you might experience when taking Slynd include:
Lighter, less painful periods – Those who use Slynd may find some relief from heavy or extremely painful periods. The drospirenone in Slynd can contribute to lighter bleeding each cycle. If you have premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), Slynd may also help you manage some of the symptoms associated with the condition.
A larger window to take a pill if you forget – As we discussed above, most oral contraceptives only give you a short two- to three-hour window to take your pill every day without putting yourself at risk of an unwanted pregnancy. With Slynd, you might have up to 24 hours to take a missed pill without increasing your risk of pregnancy.
Pregnancy prevention without estrogen – Finally, some people are unable to use contraceptives that contain estrogen. But because birth control pills can be easy to use, effective, and convenient, you may still want to find a contraceptive pill that works for you. A progestin-only pill like Slynd can provide pregnancy prevention for those who wish to use an oral contraceptive without having to take estrogen.
Cons of using Slynd
While Slynd can offer potential benefits to some who use it, there are also a few possible disadvantages associated with these pills. When taking Slynd, some key things to keep in mind include:
Drospirenone may cause you to miss periods entirely.
It can also cause spotting between periods.
Slynd may not be a suitable option for those with certain health conditions.
While you have a little leeway with Slynd, you do still need to take a pill every day for maximum pregnancy prevention.
You should always weigh the pros and cons and speak with a healthcare professional before choosing a birth control pill like Slynd. You can also compare birth control methods, such as Slynd vs. Lutera birth control, which has two types of hormones, or even an IUD, to find the right method for you.
What you should know before using Slynd
Before you decide to switch to Slynd for your reproductive and sexual wellness needs, there are a few things you should know.
Precautions to take with Slynd
Like other different types of birth control, there are precautions to be aware of. First, Slynd may not be the right contraceptive option for everyone. Certain people should not use Slynd, including those who:
Suffer from kidney disease
Have adrenal gland problems
Have or have had hormone-sensitive cancer
Experience unexplained vaginal bleeding
Furthermore, those who take certain medications, have a history of blood clots, or have pulmonary diseases might not be able to take Slynd safely.
Possible side effects associated with Slynd
Slynd can come with some possible side effects. That said, the most commonly reported side effects associated with Slynd are relatively mild and comparable to those associated with other oral contraceptives. These can include:
However, some individuals may be at risk for the following rare but serious side effects:
Changes to blood sugar levels in those with diabetes
You should speak with your healthcare professional about your overall health before starting Slynd, or any new form of birth control. Doing so can help to ensure you are choosing one that won’t put you at risk for serious side effects.
How to use Slynd
Slynd birth control comes in a blister pack containing 28 total tablets. The first 24 tablets are white and contain 4 mg of drospirenone per tablet. The remaining 4 tablets are green and don’t contain hormones.
Taking Slynd is similar to taking other birth control pills. It involves the following steps:
Start with the first white pill in a new pack and take one white pill every day for 24 consecutive days.
When you finish the white pills, take one green pill per day for 4 consecutive days.
Begin a new pack the day after you take the last green pill.
If you are new to Slynd, you have two options for starting the pill:
Begin a new pack of Slynd by taking a white pill on the first day of your period.
Start Slynd by taking a white pill on the first Sunday after your period begins.
If you’re switching to Slynd from an alternative type of birth control or a different oral contraceptive, you should speak with a healthcare professional to ensure a smooth transition.
Learn more about progestin-only pills with help from The Pill Club
If you want or need an oral contraceptive option that doesn’t contain estrogen, it helps to know what options are available. Luckily, some hormonal birth control pills only contain progestin. These pills prevent pregnancy without the use of estrogen, making them a viable choice for some.
If you’re interested in learning more about progestin-only pills like Slynd, The Pill Club can help.
The Pill Club offers telemedicine consultations, prescription services, sexual wellness products, and more. We can help you explore your contraception options and enable you to take control of your reproductive health.
Sign up today and get started finding the right birth control method for you with The Pill Club.
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