general contraindications to the progesterone only contraceptive pill

Last edited 03/2021 and last reviewed 10/2021

Criteria for Exclusion of POP:

  • Consent not given. 
  • Individuals under 16 years of age and assessed as not competent using Fraser Guidelines.
  • Individuals 16 years of age and over and assessed as lacking capacity to consent.
  • Known or suspected pregnancy.
  • Known hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or to any constituent of the product - see Summary of Product Characteristics
  • Individuals using enzyme-inducing drugs/herbal products or within 4 weeks of stopping them.
  • Acute porphyria

Cardiovascular Disease

  • Current or past history of ischaemic heart disease, vascular disease, stroke or transient ischaemic first attack only if taking the method when the event occurred.

Cancers

  • Current or past history of breast cancer.
  • Benign liver tumour (hepatocellular adenoma).
  • Malignant liver tumour (hepatocellular carcinoma).

Gastro-intestinal conditions

  • Severe decompensated cirrhosis.
  • Any bariatric or other surgery resulting in malabsorption.

Interacting medicines (other than enzyme inducers) –-see current British National Formulary (BNF) www.bnf.org or individual product SPC http://www.medicines.org.uk

Reference:

  • Patient Group Direction (PGD) (NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service). Supply of a progestogen only contraceptive pill (POP) . (Accessed 18th March 2021).