Slinda is a new progestogen-only contraceptive pill which became available in Australia in mid 2021. Its active ingredient is drospirenone 4mg, which is a new generation progesterone, and it does not contain any oestrogen. It has similar efficacy to the traditional combined oral contraceptive pills, with a contraceptive efficacy of 99% (Pearl Index 0.73).
As Slinda does not contain oestrogen, it may be suitable for women who may need to avoid oestrogen-containing oral contraceptive pills, such as smokers, or in the setting of obesity or family history of venous thromboembolism.
Most side effects associated with Slinda are minor and temporary. This may include changes to the bleeding pattern, with irregular breakthrough bleeding, especially in the first few months after starting Slinda. Some women may experience progesterone side effects, including nausea, headaches, breast tenderness and acne.
Slinda is a progesterone pill which acts to:
As Slinda does not contain any oestrogen, it can be used in breastfeeding mothers.
In each pill packet, there are 24 white active pills, and 4 green placebo pills. You should take one tablet around the same time every day.
It may take 3-4 months for the bleeding pattern to establish after starting a new pill. Most women will get a period on the days of the 4 green placebo (sugar) pills. Some women on Slinda may not get a period even when taking the sugar pills. After 12 months of using Slinda, 50% of women will stop having periods whilst they continue with Slinda. The periods should return once they stop taking Slinda.
Slinda is a progesterone only pill that can suppress ovulation. It can be useful as medical treatment for endometriosis, painful periods, and may be helpful to reduce the risk of endometriosis recurrence after laparoscopic surgery to remove endometriosis.
Click here to find out more about treatment options for endometriosis.
