mini pill

noun

ˈmi-nē-ˌpil 

variants or mini-pill or less commonly minipill

plural mini pills or mini-pills also minipills

: a birth control pill that contains a low dose of progestin but no estrogen and is intended to minimize side effects

The combined estrogen-progestin pill and progestin-only "mini pill" prevent ovulation. The mini pill is advised for women who can't take estrogen and for nursing women.

—Phyllis Schneider

This is the appeal of the mini-pill. Because it does not contain estrogen, which increases the risk of blood clotting …, the progestin-only pill is seen as lower-risk.

—Cassidy Morrison

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that the combination oral contraceptive is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and blood clots. In contrast, according to the CDC, the mini pill is not associated with many serious long-term risks.

—Alisha Haridasani Gupta

Examples of mini pill in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Free the Pill wanted the first over-the-counter oral contraceptive to be progestin only, a formulation sometimes called the mini pill. —Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 3 Dec. 2024

Instead of taking a full bottle or those expensive single-serve packets of pain relievers, pack a few pills from your stash with you to the parks with this mini pill organizer. —Erin Cavoto, Travel + Leisure, 4 Nov. 2024

Her doctor puts her on the progestogen-only mini pill. —Anna Byrne, WIRED, 24 May 2023

But a progestin-only pill, a.k.a. the minipill, sometimes makes acne worse, so one of these is probably not your best bet if blemishes are already the bane of your existence. —Juno Demelo, Glamour, 24 Aug. 2021

The minipill may also suppress ovulation, but it’s not guaranteed. —Korin Miller, SELF, 19 July 2018

Just like with combination pills, the progestin in the minipill keeps your uterine lining thinner so there's less to shed during your period. —SELF, 14 Sep. 2018

Then there are birth control pills without estrogen, which are known as progestin-only pills (also called the minipill). —SELF, 14 Sep. 2018

First, the minipill comes with 28 active days and no placebos. —Korin Miller, SELF, 11 July 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

mini pill

noun

ˈmin-ē-ˌpil 

variants or mini-pill also minipill

: a birth control pill that contains a very low dose of a progestin and especially norethindrone but no estrogen and is intended to minimize side effects