minipill

minipill

/min·i·pill/ (min´e-pil) an oral contraceptive consisting of a small daily dose of a progestational agent.

minipill

(mĭn′ē-pĭl′)

n.

An oral contraceptive that contains a progestin but no estrogen.

minipill

An oral contraceptive (OC) which contains a very low-dose (0.35 mg) progestin, a low-dose synthetic progesterone norethindrone, and an extremely low dose of oestrogen. The minipill reduces sperm penetration of cervical mucus, interferes with luteinisation and implantation, and decreases gonadotropin secretion. It may be less effective than combined OCs and is associated with dysmenorrhoea.

minipill

Gynecology An OC that contains a very low dose of progestin, a low-dose synthetic progesterone norethindrone, and minimal estrogen; MP ↓ sperm penetration of cervical mucus, interferes with luteinization and implantation and ↓ gonadotropin secretion; it may be less effective than combined OCs and IS associated with dysmenorrhea. See Oral contraceptive. Cf Norplant, RU 486.