Norgeston Tablets

The progestogen-only pill market in the UK is dominated by desogestrel. Cerazette, Cerelle, Feanolla — all three contain desogestrel 75 micrograms, all three suppress ovulation in approximately 97% of cycles, and all three carry a 12-hour missed pill window. When a prescriber or patient considers a different progestogen-only pill, the conversation usually arrives at one of two alternatives: norethisterone-based pills such as Noriday, or the preparation that sits in a category of its own.

Norgeston is the only progestogen-only pill in the UK licensed to use levonorgestrel. At 30 micrograms per tablet, it delivers the same progestogen found in combined pills such as Microgynon 30 and Rigevidon — but without any oestrogen, without the 21-day, seven-day break schedule, and at a fraction of the dose. It works differently from desogestrel pills, has a strict 3-hour missed pill window, and is manufactured by Bayer plc. This page explains the clinical case for Norgeston, who it suits, and what you need to know before starting a consultation.

Levonorgestrel appears in more UK-licensed contraceptives than any other synthetic progestogen. At 150 micrograms per tablet it is the progestogen in Rigevidon and Microgynon 30. At 52 milligrams it is the active component in the Mirena intrauterine system. At 30 micrograms it is Norgeston – and this is the only oral progestogen-only preparation in which it appears.

The 30 microgram dose in Norgeston is one-fifth of the levonorgestrel dose used in standard combined pills. This reduced dose, delivered without any oestrogen component, produces a clinical profile that is distinct from both the combined pill family and from the desogestrel progestogen-only pills that now dominate this prescribing category. The contraceptive mechanism is primarily cervical mucus thickening rather than ovulation suppression. This is a clinically significant difference that affects how Norgeston is used, particularly in relation to daily timing and missed tablet management.

Norgeston is a monophasic tablet. Every tablet in the pack contains the same dose. There are no phases, no inactive tablets, and no breaks between packs. You take one tablet every day, indefinitely, changing to a new pack the day after the last tablet. The entire schedule depends on consistent daily timing – a point the 3-hour missed pill window makes non-negotiable.

Levonorgestrel at 30 micrograms does not reliably suppress ovulation. This is the defining pharmacological fact about Norgeston and it shapes everything else about how the pill is used. Unlike desogestrel-based progestogen-only pills, which inhibit ovulation in approximately 97% of cycles, Norgeston's primary contraceptive mechanism operates at the cervix rather than in the ovary.

Cervical Mucus: The First Line of Defence

Levonorgestrel at this dose causes a significant change in the physical character of cervical mucus. The mucus becomes thicker, more viscous, and substantially more resistant to sperm penetration. This transformed mucus creates a hostile environment that prevents sperm from reaching the fallopian tubes and any egg that may be present. The mechanism is time-sensitive: the mucus effect is closely linked to maintaining a steady hormone level, which is why taking Norgeston at the same time each day, within a 3-hour window, is not optional.

The Endometrial Contribution

Levonorgestrel also alters the endometrial lining, reducing its readiness for implantation. This is a secondary mechanism that provides additional contraceptive security. It does not replace the cervical mucus effect as the primary protection but contributes to the overall reliability of the method when used consistently.

Ovulation: Sometimes Suppressed, Not Guaranteed

In some cycles, Norgeston does suppress ovulation as a secondary effect. In others it does not. The proportion of cycles in which ovulation is suppressed is lower than with desogestrel-based mini pills. This is why the cervical mucus mechanism matters so much. If Norgeston is taken correctly every day, the mucus thickening effect is consistent regardless of whether ovulation has been suppressed on that particular cycle.

The 3-Hour Window Explained

The cervical mucus change produced by Norgeston requires a reasonably steady concentration of levonorgestrel in the bloodstream. If the next tablet is more than 3 hours overdue, hormone levels may fall enough for the mucus to begin reverting to a sperm-permeable state. The 3-hour window is not a conservative safety margin. It reflects the actual pharmacokinetics of levonorgestrel at this dose. This is a stricter requirement than the 12-hour window for desogestrel pills and the same as the window for norethisterone-based mini pills such as Noriday.

Daily timing is the foundation of Norgeston's effectiveness. Choose a time that you can consistently maintain – the same time every single day, within 3 hours either side, without exception. Many women choose a time attached to a fixed daily event: a morning alarm, a lunchtime routine, or before bed. Whichever time you choose, the 3-hour window defines how late is too late.

Starting Norgeston

Starting on day 1 of your period means protection from the first tablet. No additional contraception needed. Starting on any other day of your cycle requires barrier contraception for the first 48 hours.

Switching from a combined pill: take your first Norgeston tablet the day after the last active tablet from the previous pack, or after the last inactive tablet if your pill had placebo days. Use a barrier method for 48 hours.

Switching from another progestogen-only pill: start the day after the last tablet from the previous pack. Use a barrier method for 48 hours. Note that if you are switching from a desogestrel pill with a 12-hour window, Norgeston's 3-hour window applies from day one. The rules are not the same.

After childbirth: Norgeston can be started from day 21 post-delivery without additional contraception. Starting earlier than day 21 requires a barrier method for 48 hours.

Daily Use

One tablet every day at the same time. No break between packs. Begin a new pack the day after the last tablet of the previous one.

1. Take the tablet whole with water.
2. If you are more than 3 hours late, treat it as a missed tablet.
3. Vomiting within 2 hours of taking a tablet, or severe diarrhoea, may prevent absorption. Treat either situation as a missed tablet.

Missed Tablets

Under 3 hours late: take the tablet immediately and carry on. Protection is maintained.

More than 3 hours late: take the missed tablet immediately, continue the pack, and use barrier contraception for the next 48 hours. Norgeston's missed pill recovery period is 48 hours – different from the 7-day requirement for combined pills and from the recovery periods for other progestogen-only pills.

Important: Norgeston has a 3-hour missed pill window and a 48-hour recovery period. These rules are specific to Norgeston and differ from both combined pills and from desogestrel-based progestogen-only pills. Do not apply the rules from a previous pill to Norgeston.

Norgeston is available in one strength: levonorgestrel 30 micrograms per tablet. Every tablet in the pack is identical. One tablet is taken daily, at the same time, continuously with no break between packs.

Levonorgestrel Across Contraceptive Preparations

Understanding the dose context helps explain why Norgeston behaves differently from levonorgestrel-based combined pills:

1. Norgeston: levonorgestrel 30 mcg per tablet, no oestrogen, progestogen-only
2. Microgynon 30 / Rigevidon / Levest / Ovranette: levonorgestrel 150 mcg per tablet, plus ethinylestradiol 30 mcg
3. Logynon (phase 3): levonorgestrel 125 mcg per tablet, plus ethinylestradiol

The 30 microgram dose in Norgeston is sufficient to produce consistent cervical mucus thickening when taken on schedule. It is not sufficient to reliably suppress ovulation in all cycles. The combined pill dose of 150 mcg, combined with oestrogen, achieves both. This is the pharmacological explanation for why Norgeston requires stricter daily timing than levonorgestrel-based combined pills.

Generic Availability

Norgeston does not have a generic equivalent in the current UK market. It is manufactured exclusively by Bayer plc. If your pharmacy cannot source Norgeston, a prescriber review is needed before switching to a different progestogen-only pill, as the missed pill rules, mechanism, and dosing schedule differ between preparations.

Without oestrogen in the formula, Norgeston does not carry the oestrogen-related side effects associated with combined pills. Nausea from oestrogen, oestrogen-driven breast tenderness, and oestrogen-sensitive migraine risk are not relevant to Norgeston. What does apply is the side effect profile of levonorgestrel at a low progestogen-only dose.

Bleeding Pattern Changes

This is the most commonly experienced change on Norgeston and the one most women want to understand before starting. Levonorgestrel at 30 micrograms does not create the predictable withdrawal bleed schedule of a combined pill. Instead, bleeding becomes variable. Periods may become lighter, more irregular, or less frequent. Some women experience more frequent spotting. Some experience no bleeding at all for extended periods. None of these patterns is inherently harmful, but they are often unexpected and can be unsettling if you are not prepared for them. If you have two consecutive months without any bleeding while taking Norgeston, speak to your prescriber to rule out pregnancy.

Other Commonly Reported Effects

1. Mood changes, including low mood or irritability
2. Reduced libido
3. Acne or skin changes – levonorgestrel has mild androgenic activity
4. Breast tenderness
5. Headache
6. Nausea, though less common than on combined pills

Ectopic Pregnancy: A Specific Risk to Understand

If Norgeston fails and a pregnancy occurs, there is a higher likelihood that the pregnancy may be ectopic compared with unprotected conception. This is because the cervical mucus mechanism, while highly effective at preventing sperm from reaching the fallopian tubes, does not protect against a fertilised egg implanting in the wrong location if the primary mechanism fails. If you experience severe one-sided abdominal pain alongside a missed period or unusual bleeding, seek urgent medical assessment. Ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency.

Ovarian Cysts

Follicular development may occur on cycles where ovulation suppression does not happen. Ovarian follicles can develop into cysts. These are usually temporary and resolve without treatment, but if you experience ongoing pelvic pain, inform your prescriber.

Serious Signs Requiring Urgent Attention

Seek immediate medical help if you experience:

1. Severe one-sided abdominal pain (possible ectopic pregnancy)
2. Sudden severe headache, visual disturbance, or one-sided weakness (possible stroke)
3. Significant jaundice or severe abdominal pain suggesting liver involvement

Drug Interactions

Enzyme-inducing medicines reduce levonorgestrel levels in the bloodstream, lowering contraceptive effectiveness. These include rifampicin and rifabutin, antiepileptics such as phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and topiramate, some HIV antiretrovirals, and St John's Wort. Tell your prescriber about every medicine, supplement, and herbal product you take at every consultation.

The absence of oestrogen is Norgeston's most clinically significant characteristic from an eligibility standpoint. Women for whom oestrogen is contraindicated can take progestogen-only pills, and Norgeston sits within that category. However, Norgeston is not the default choice within this group – desogestrel pills are more commonly prescribed because of the 12-hour missed pill window and more consistent ovulation suppression. The prescriber's decision to choose Norgeston specifically is worth understanding.

Norgeston Is Not Suitable If You:

1. Have a current or previous diagnosis of breast cancer or another sex-hormone-sensitive cancer
2. Have unexplained vaginal bleeding that has not been assessed by a clinician
3. Have severe liver disease or liver tumours
4. Have a previous ectopic pregnancy and are not considered suitable for a method that does not consistently suppress ovulation
5. Have a condition significantly affecting the absorption of oral medicines from the gut

Norgeston May Be Appropriate If You:

1. Cannot use oestrogen-containing contraception for any reason: migraine with aura, cardiovascular risk factors, breastfeeding a baby over six weeks old, or a personal preference for oestrogen-free methods
2. Are a smoker aged 35 or over, for whom combined pills are contraindicated
3. Have previously used a levonorgestrel-based combined pill and your prescriber is considering a progestogen-only continuation using the same progestogen
4. Can consistently take a tablet to within 3 hours of the same time every day

Consider Discussing Alternatives If:

1. You know from previous experience that your daily schedule makes consistent 3-hour timing difficult – a desogestrel pill with its 12-hour window may be more practical for you
2. You have a history of ectopic pregnancy, which your prescriber will weigh carefully in the context of a method that does not guarantee ovulation suppression
3. You are currently taking enzyme-inducing medicines, which reduce levonorgestrel levels and may compromise Norgeston's effectiveness

A prescription for Norgeston at Pharmacy Planet follows a clinical consultation reviewed by a registered prescriber. Three things are assessed simultaneously in every Norgeston consultation that do not all apply to other progestogen-only pill assessments.

First, the prescriber confirms whether a progestogen-only method is appropriate for you at all. This covers the standard eligibility criteria, your medical history, current medicines, and the reasons you are seeking contraception without oestrogen.

Second, the prescriber considers whether Norgeston is the right progestogen-only pill given your circumstances. The 3-hour missed pill window, the reliance on cervical mucus thickening as the primary mechanism, and the levonorgestrel progestogen itself are all factored into this decision. If a desogestrel pill would be more practical or clinically appropriate for you, the prescriber will recommend that instead.

Third, if you have a history of ectopic pregnancy, the prescriber will give this specific consideration, because Norgeston does not guarantee ovulation suppression and therefore does not provide the same level of ectopic risk reduction as a method that consistently prevents egg release.

The outcome of the consultation may be a prescription for Norgeston, a recommendation for a different progestogen-only preparation, a referral for a face-to-face assessment, or a request for further information. Repeat prescriptions follow the same individual review. There is no automatic renewal.

Store Norgeston below 25°C in a location away from humidity and direct light. The original blister strip keeps tablets protected and helps you track which one you last took. A consistent storage spot, ideally near the time-trigger you have chosen for your daily dose, helps build the timing habit that Norgeston depends on.

Check the expiry date on the outer carton before each new pack. Return unused or expired tablets to any UK pharmacy for safe disposal. Pharmacies accept returned medicines under Duty of Care regulations, free of charge. Do not flush tablets or put them in household waste.

This reference guide compares the contraceptive preparations available at Pharmacy Planet, grouped by delivery method and formulation type. Every preparation is a Prescription Only Medicine. A registered prescriber will review your individual health profile, contraceptive history, and risk factors before recommending any preparation. This table is a clinical reference, not a recommendation.

Progestogen-only pills contain no oestrogen and are taken every day with no break between packs. The table below compares commonly prescribed progestogen-only pills by missed pill window, primary contraceptive mechanism, and clinical characteristics. These differences are clinically significant and pills are not interchangeable without prescriber review.

Important: This comparison is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. A prescriber will decide which treatment is suitable for you following an online consultation.

Norgeston occupies a specific corner of the contraceptive prescribing landscape. It is the only levonorgestrel progestogen-only pill available in the UK, it requires stricter timing discipline than the desogestrel alternatives that dominate this category, and it carries a clinical nuance around ectopic pregnancy risk that not every prescriber considers explicitly. At Pharmacy Planet, every Norgeston consultation is reviewed by a registered prescriber who understands these distinctions and applies them to your individual health profile.

If Norgeston is not the right fit for your circumstances, the prescriber will explain why and discuss what is. That conversation is the point of the consultation. Supply follows the clinical decision, not the other way around.

• Bayer plc. Norgeston 30 microgram tablets – Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: www.medicines.org.uk/emc. Accessed May 2026.
• Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH). Progestogen-Only Pills – Clinical Guidance. Available at: www.fsrh.org. Accessed May 2026.
• NHS. Progestogen-only pill (mini pill). Available at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/progestogen-only-pill. Accessed May 2026.
• British National Formulary (BNF). Levonorgestrel (as contraceptive). Available at: bnf.nice.org.uk. Accessed May 2026.
• FSRH Clinical Effectiveness Unit. Progestogen-Only Methods and Ectopic Pregnancy. Available at: www.fsrh.org. Accessed May 2026.