What is Slinda?

Slinda is a type of progestogen-only pill (POP) used as a female oral contraception (birth control) to prevent pregnancy. You will need a prescription from your doctor to get Slinda.

Slinda contains the progestogen hormone known as drospirenone. Slinda pills don't contain oestrogen.

You could try Slinda if your doctor has told you not to take contraceptive pills that have oestrogen in them.

How does Slinda work?

Slinda works by:

• stopping your ovaries from releasing an egg (also known as ovulation)
• making your cervical mucus thicker to stop sperm from entering your uterus
• changing the endometrial layer of your uterus to reduce the chance of implantation

Slinda comes in a packet with 24 active hormone pills (white) and 4 inactive sugar pills (green).

Taking the pills in this order can help make your bleeding pattern more regular. You will usually have your period for the 4 days you're taking the sugar pills each month.

What is Slinda used for?

Slinda is used to prevent pregnancy.

If used correctly, Slinda is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.

With typical everyday use, it's about 93% effective. This is as effective as the combined contraceptive pill.

If you are vomiting (being sick) or have serious diarrhoea, the pill may not work as well as normal.

If you vomit within 2 hours of taking your pill, take another one as soon as you can.

What are the advantages of using Slinda?

There are many advantages to using Slinda as your birth control option:

• You can start using Slinda straight away.
• You can use it straight after you've given birth or when you're breast feeding.
• Slinda doesn't have many side effects.
• Your bone density isn't affected by it.
• If you choose to stop taking it, your fertility will come back right away.
• It's available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

What forms of Slinda are available?

Slinda is available as a pill.

What are the possible side effects or risks of Slinda?

When taking Slinda you might experience:

• headaches
• breast tenderness
• nausea (feeling sick)
• mood changes
• weight gain
• loss of libido
• acne

These side effects usually stop a few months after you start taking this pill.

Slinda might cause changes in your menstrual cycle length. You also might experience:

• spotting
• irregular bleeding
• prolonged bleeding
• a missed period

Serious side effects are not common but can include:

• severe pain or swelling in one or both legs
• chest pain
• breathlessness
• unusual cough or coughing up blood
• severe abdominal (tummy) pain
• jaundice (skin turning yellow)

How do I take Slinda?

You should take Slinda at the same time every day.

Pick a time during the day when you're most likely to remember to take your pill.

To help you remember, set a reminder on your phone or keep your pill pack next to your toothbrush.

Slinda starts working right away if you:

• start using it in the first 5 days of your period
• start less than 21 days after having a baby
• start within 5 days of having an abortion
• switch from a different progesterone-only pill — if you have taken at least 3 days of the other progestogen-only pill
• switch from the contraceptive implant or injection

If you begin taking Slinda on a different day to this, it will take 7 days for the pill to start working. During these days, you should use other contraceptive options, like condoms.

You can become pregnant if you're more than 24 hours late taking your pill.

Speak to your doctor to find out when it's best for you to start Slinda. They might ask you to take a pregnancy test to confirm you're not pregnant before you start.

Who can take Slinda?

Most people can use Slinda. You might not be able to use progestogen-only pills, such as Slinda, if you:

• have breast cancer
• have severe liver disease
• have unusual bleeding from your vagina
• are using certain medicines
• have heart disease
• are pregnant

What should I do if I'm late taking my pill?

If you are less than 24 hours late taking your pill, you should take your:

• pill as soon as you remember
• next pill at your regular time — this could mean you take 2 pills on the same day

This is called a 'late pill' and you are still protected from getting pregnant.

What should I do if I forget a pill?

If you forget your pill for more than 24 hours, it's called a 'missed pill'. You should:

• take your pill as soon as you remember
• take your next pill at your regular time — this could mean you take 2 pills on the same day
• continue taking your pills as normal
• use another form of contraception or wait to have sex until you have taken the pill correctly for 7 days

You won't be protected from getting pregnant until you take the active pills for 7 days.

If you miss a pill and you have less than 7 days left before taking the sugar pills, start your next pack of active pills.

You might need to use emergency contraception if you:

• miss a pill during the first 7 days of a new Slinda pack and had unprotected sex in the last 5 days
• are more than 24 hours late starting a new pack and had unprotected sex in the last 5 days
• miss more than 1 active pill in 7 days

You can get the emergency contraceptive pill from a pharmacy without a prescription. It's important that you take it as soon as possible.

When should I see my doctor?

Speak to your doctor if you want to know more about Slinda.

You need a prescription for all progesterone only pills, which you can get from:

• your doctor
• family planning clinics
• community health clinics
• youth health clinics

Certain medicines can change how well Slinda works. If you're taking other medicines, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting Slinda.

Are there any alternatives to Slinda?

There are 2 progestogen-only alternatives to Slinda called Microlut and Noriday.

Microlut contains levonorgestrel as the active progestogen and Noriday contains norethisterone.

Like Slinda, you should take Microlut and Noriday at the same time every day. You must take these progestogen-only pills within 3 hours of your usual time.

Speak to your doctor to find out which contraceptive pill is best for you.

Resources and support

Family Planning Australia has information about Slinda and other contraceptive options, including a resource for those aged 14-24 years.

Jean Hailes has translated fact sheets on contraception.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.