What are the pros and cons of the minipill?

Pros

• Easily reversed method of birth control if you hope to get pregnant
• Can be taken even if you have certain health problems that increase the risks of taking combined pills, such as blood clots, migraines, high blood pressure or a high risk of heart disease
• Are less likely than combined pills to interfere with breast-feeding
• Lowered risk of endometrial cancer

Cons

• Must be taken at the same time every day — if you skip a pill or take a pill more than 3 hours late, you need to use a backup form of birth control for at least two days
• No protection against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV
• Side effects such as irregular menstrual bleeding, ovarian cysts, decreased libido, headache, breast tenderness, acne, weight gain, depression and hirsutism
• Slightly increased risk that if pregnancy occurs, the fertilized egg will implant outside the uterus (ectopic pregnancy)