Slynd®

What is Slynd?

Slynd is a progestin-only birth control pill (also called a mini pill) that contains 4 mg of drospirenone. Unlike combined pills, Slynd doesn’t contain estrogen, so it’s suitable for people who are sensitive to it or at a higher risk of estrogen-related side effects.

Each pack contains 24 active white tablets and 4 inactive green tablets. You’ll take one pill a day for 28 days, with no breaks in between — the green pills help keep you on track during your cycle.

Slynd stands out from older mini pills because it gives you a 24-hour missed pill window, rather than the usual 3 hours, making it easier to take consistently.

How does Slynd work?

Slynd works by thickening cervical mucus to block sperm from reaching an egg. It also makes it more difficult for an egg that is to implant in the womb by altering the consistency of the uterine lining.^[1]

Slynd is also effective at stopping ovulation altogether, but this won’t happen for everyone.

What doses does Slynd come in?

There’s only one dosage of Slynd. The white active Slynd tablets contain 4 mg of drospirenone, and the four green inactive tablets don’t contain any hormones.

Are there any Slynd side effects?

Like all medications, Slynd may cause side effects. Common examples are:

• Acne
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Breast tenderness
• Irregular bleeding
• Lower sex drive

There are some more serious –- but rare –- side effects you might experience. If you experience any of the following symptoms, get medical assistance right away:

• Weakness or numbness in a limb, heart palpitations, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, shortness of breath
• Leg pain that won’t go away, severe shortness of breath, changes in your vision or blindness, chest pain, weakness or numbness in a limb, difficulty speaking
• Unscheduled breakthrough bleeding between your period, irregular periods, or a lack or periods – these are common Slynd side effects, but they can sometimes be serious;
• Depression – especially if you’ve suffered with it in the past.

For a full list of side effects, take a look at the patient package insert.

How to take Slynd

Try and take Slynd at the same time every day, so there’s always around 24 hours between your pills. Start with a white pill and continue daily, for the first 24 days of this cycle. Switch to the green pills for the next 4 days, then begin a new pack the next day.

Depending on when you start Slynd, you may not have protection straight away – the instructions for how to start Slynd are a little different depending on whether you were using a different type of hormonal birth control beforehand.

• If you weren’t using birth control before: Take your first active white tablet in the first 24 hours of your period.
• If you’re switching from a combined pill: Start Slynd when you would have started a new pack of your old pill.

When starting a new form of birth control or switching to a new one, it’s advisable to use a back method (such as a condom) to protect against pregnancy for the first week.