The Hana Contraceptive Pill

The Hana mini pill is a contraceptive pill you can take to prevent pregnancy. It is also known as a mini pill because it only contains desogestrel, a type of progesterone, which is a man-made type of female sex hormone. Other generic mini-pill contraceptives are available, but Hana is one of the first contraceptives available in the UK without a prescription. That means you can buy Hana over the counter or from a reputable online doctor, such as ZAVA.

Hana is suitable for most women, including those who can’t take combined contraceptive pills. This can be due to things like having high blood pressure and being overweight, or being a smoker over 35.

What type of pill is Hana?

The Hana pill is a mini pill because it only contains one hormone, desogestrel, whereas combined pills contain progesterone and oestrogen. Desogestrel is a man-made version of the female sex hormone, progesterone. The Hana pill contains 75mg of desogestrel and works by stopping your ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation).

The Hana contraceptive pill is taken daily and was one of the first contraceptive pills to be available without a prescription. This makes it a convenient contraceptive choice for many women.

Is the Hana pill a mini pill?

Yes, the Hana pill is a mini-pill, also known as the progestogen-only pill. The Hana pill is a desogestrel mini-pill so it stops an egg from being released from the ovary to prevent pregnancy. It also works by thickening the mucus in the cervix to stop sperm from reaching an egg and fertilising it. The mini-pill is suitable for women who cannot take pills that contain oestrogen and is also safe for breastfeeding women.

Hana ingredients

The Hana contraceptive pill contains the active ingredient desogestrel.

Hana ingredients also include:

• alpha-tocopherol
• maize starch
• povidone
• stearic acid
• hypromellose
• macrogol 400
• titanium dioxide (E 171)
• lactose monohydrate

The Hana pill contains lactose (milk sugar) so you should contact your doctor before taking the Hana contraceptive pill if you have been told you are intolerant to any sugars, including lactose.

Does Hana pill contain oestrogen?

The Hana does not contain any oestrogen. The only active ingredient in the Hana contraceptive pill is desogestrel, a synthetic type of progesterone. So, it is suitable for women who cannot or do not want to take oestrogen.

Hana works by preventing ovulation. When ovulation is prevented there is no egg for sperm to fertilise. It also works by thickening the mucus in the cervix, lowering the chances of sperm entering the womb.

How long does Hana take to work?

If you take Hana for the first time and are not currently using any hormonal contraception, you will not need to use any other method of contraception, such as condoms, if you take your first tablet on day 1 of your period.

If you take your first tablet on days 2-5 of your period, you will not be protected against pregnancy for 7 days, so you need to use a form of barrier contraception (such as condoms) or abstain from sex during this time.

Hana is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy if it is taken correctly. It is important to make sure you take the Hana mini pill at the same time every day and without a break between packs. You may find it easier to swallow with a glass of water, especially if you prefer to take it first thing in the morning.

Taking Hana at the same time every day is key in determining how effective the pill is, but it can be easy to forget to take it. By including it in your everyday routine or setting a reminder, you have a better chance of remembering to take it at the same time every day. This will help you to be the safest you can be and ensure the Hana contraceptive works to the best of its ability.

Hana can be less effective if you:

• miss your pill
• take it at different times each day
• vomit and/or have diarrhoea
• use ulipristal acetate (emergency contraception, also known as ellaOne) at the same time
• use certain medications and herbal remedies at the same time (e.g. St John’s Wort)

What are the benefits of the Hana pill?

The Hana pill is associated with many benefits. As it does not contain oestrogen, it is suitable for women who cannot or do not want to take hormonal contraceptives containing oestrogen. So, Hana is suitable for women who:

• smoke and are over 35 years old
• are overweight and who have high blood pressure

Please note: If your blood pressure is constantly elevated please seek advice from your doctor. Untreated high blood pressure can increase the risk for serious health problems.

Unlike the combined oral contraceptive pill, Hana can also be used by women who have just had a baby and do not want another child at the moment or women who are breastfeeding. The Hana pill can be taken 21 days after childbirth.

Another benefit is you can buy Hana online or over the counter in a pharmacy. This makes it a convenient way to purchase hormonal contraception because you do not need a prescription.

The contraceptive pill is available to buy from trusted online doctor services like ZAVA. These are regulated services run by registered doctors who can make sure your contraception is right for you.

Some contraceptive pill brands, like Hana, are also available to buy over-the-counter from most UK pharmacies.

The contraceptive pill is also available on the NHS from your doctor or sexual health clinics.

Where can I buy Hana online?

The Hana daily contraceptive pill is available to buy directly from ZAVA.

You can buy Hana in 3 simple steps:

1. Simply fill out a short health questionnaire
2. One of our doctors will review your responses and confirm your suitability
3. Your pill will be discreetly delivered by Royal Mail to an address of your choice or you can choose to collect it from your local Post Office.

The advantages of our service include:

• fast, discreet delivery
• no need to make an appointment to visit your doctor
• can be delivered to an address of your choice
• comprehensive follow-up care included

Changing to Hana from other contraception

If you are changing from another type of contraception methods, please consult the online package leaflet. Section 3.2 gives details of how to start taking Hana when changing from all other contraception types, as well as after emergency contraception, after having a baby, or after having a miscarriage or abortion.

Take one Hana pill every day at the same time, and do not take a break in between packs. It is recommended you combine taking Hana with another regular activity, such as brushing your teeth, so you don’t forget to take it.

It is very important to take Hana at the same time every day if you want the best protection against pregnancy. You should not skip taking a tablet, even if you bleed or have spotting. Keep taking your pill at the same time each day.

Each Hana pack contains 28 tablets with the days of the week printed on the pack and arrows showing the order in which to take the tablets. Every time you start a new pack, take a tablet that is labelled with the correct day of the week. So, if you are taking the first tablet in the pack on a Monday, take a pill labelled Mon. You should not start with any tablet as this may increase the chances of forgetting to take the Hana pill or cause confusion.

Take one tablet a day until the pack is empty, then start a new pack of Hana the next day. You do not have a break between packs when taking Hana or need to wait for a bleed.

The Hana pill will only effectively prevent pregnancy if it is taken correctly.

When to start taking Hana pill

You should consider taking the Hana pill if you are or thinking of becoming or are sexually active and do not want to get pregnant. It is suitable for people with uteruses of childbearing age.

When is the best time to take Hana?

Hana can be taken at any time of the day, as long as it is taken at the same time every day. You may find it useful to link the time you take the Hana pill with something you already do, such as brushing your teeth, cleansing routine, or when you wake up. Some women find it also helps to set an alarm to remind them to take their pills.

If you start taking Hana on day one of your period, then you will be protected from pregnancy straight away. If you start at another time during your menstrual cycle, you will not be protected for 7 days, so will need to use a barrier contraceptive method, like condoms, as an extra precaution.

Taking Hana after childbirth

You can begin taking Hana in the first 21 days following childbirth. If you start later than that, you should also use condoms for the first 7 days of taking Hana.

Hana missed pill: What happens if I miss a pill?

Missing a Hana pill can reduce its effectiveness.

If you realise you have missed your Hana pill within the 12-hour window (within 12 hours from the time you usually take it), take the delayed pill straight away. Then take your next pill as usual, even if this means taking 2 pills in one day. Your protection should still be effective.

If you are over 12 hours late, leave any missed pills and immediately take the most recently missed one. Then continue taking Hana as normal. Use additional contraception for 7 days, such as condoms.

➤ Here you will find detailed information on what to do if you forget to take the pill.

What if I am sick or have diarrhoea?

If you vomit within 3 to 4 hours of taking Hana, it counts as missing a pill. In this case, you should take another Hana pill. If you are not sick again, you can resume taking Hana as normal.

If you are ill with frequent vomiting and/or have diarrhoea, such as from food poisoning, continue to take your pill as normal, but use condoms throughout your illness and for 7 days afterwards if you are having sex.

Like all medicines, the Hana contraceptive pill can cause side effects. Although most people do not experience any side effects when taking the Hana pill, you should speak to your doctor if you do.

Common Hana side effects, which affect approximately 1 in 10 people, include:

• amenorrhoea, where you stop having periods
• irregular menstruation
• altered or depressed mood
• decreased sex drive
• headaches and/or nausea
• acne
• breast tenderness
• increased body weight

Changes to your period usually calm down after several months of using Hana.

Uncommon Hana pill side effects, which affect approximately 1 in 100 people, include:

• vaginal infection
• tiredness
• vomiting
• dysmenorrhoea (painful periods)
• difficulty wearing contact lenses
• ovarian cysts
• hair loss

For rare Hana contraceptive pill side effects, please refer to the package insert.

Hana contraceptive pills may not be suitable for some people, for instance, because of allergies. Read more below on possible reasons that could mean Hana is not suitable for you.

Reasons you may not be able to take Hana

The Hana pill contains lactose (milk sugar). If you are allergic or intolerant to lactose, speak to a doctor before taking Hana.

You should also let your pharmacist or doctor know if you have:

• ever had a blood clot in your legs called deep vein thrombosis or lungs (pulmonary embolism)
• ever had cancer that is affected by progesterone hormones
• high blood pressure
• diabetes
• epilepsy
• tuberculosis
• chloasma
• liver cancer or liver problems

Hana contraindications

Do not take Hana tablets if you have:

• a type of cancer which is affected by sex-steroid hormones
• ever had a blood clot in your legs called deep vein thrombosis or lungs (pulmonary embolism)
• jaundice or severe liver disease, or a history of either of these unless your liver function has returned to normal
• unexplained vaginal bleeding
• repeatedly experienced bleeding after sex
• an allergy to desogestrel or any other ingredients of Hana

You also must not take the Hana contraceptive pill if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant.

Hana interactions

Other medicines and herbal remedies can interfere with Hana and stop it from working properly. They may cause contraceptive failure and/or unexpected bleeding.

These include:

• treatments for epilepsy
• treatments for tuberculosis
• treatments for HIV
• treatments for fungal infections
• treatments for pulmonary arterial hypertension
• the herbal remedy St John’s Wort

If you are getting treatment for any of the above conditions, check the Hana package leaflet for the medicines you use and/or speak to your doctor about whether Hana is suitable for you.

If you already take Hana, speak to your doctor before starting any other medicines or herbal remedies. You may need to use a different method of contraception.

If Hana is not suitable for you, there are other types of progestogen-only contraceptive pills available from ZAVA which may be suitable for you.

They include:

• Cerelle
• Cerazette
• Norgeston
• Noriday

➤ Read more: Which is the best contraceptive pill for me

You can find online patient reviews of desogestrel (the active ingredient in Hana) as a mini pill. Overall, it is rated 2.7 out of 5 by patients at thelowdown.com.

Whether Hana is a good pill for you or not, will depend on your health and your needs.

The Hana pill is a progesterone-only pill or mini pill. It does not contain oestrogen, so it is suitable for most women including those who cannot or would prefer not to take oestrogen. It is also suitable for women over 35 who smoke, breastfeeding women and women who are overweight and who have high blood pressure. Because the Hana pill only contains progesterone, there may be fewer side effects compared to combined pills.

The Hana contraceptive pill is also available over the counter at a pharmacy or online without a prescription, making it a convenient choice for some people.

Our doctors will be able to review your assessment and provide advice on which pill is more suitable for you if Hana is not.