Hana is a type of contraceptive pill known as the mini pill or progesterone-only pill (POP). It contains a type of female sex hormone called progesterone.

Progesterone is involved in regulating the menstrual cycle. Hana contains the active ingredient desogestrel, a man-made version of progesterone.

Hana is as effective as other mini pills, being over 99% effective against pregnancy when taken as directed. It is a more appropriate method for women who cannot use contraception that contains oestrogen, or women who have high blood pressure, smoke, or are over the age of 35.

Containing 75mg desogestrel, the man-made version of the hormone progesterone, Hana works to prevent pregnancy in 2 ways by:

• thickening the cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to enter the womb and fertilise an egg
• stopping an egg from being released from the ovaries (ovulation)

Combined, these actions make Hana a very effective form of contraceptive pill. However, it cannot be used as emergency contraception. Emergency contraceptives like ellaOne are also available at Superdrug Online Doctor.

How effective is Hana?

Mini pills or progesterone-only pills (POP) have an effective rate of over 99% if used correctly. However, it’s more likely to be around 92% due to user error such as forgetting to take the pill, or because of sickness (vomiting) and diarrhoea. This is why it is important to take Hana as directed in your patient leaflet, and as instructed by your doctor.

You should take Hana as directed in the patient leaflet or how your doctor or pharmacist has advised.

Hana comes in 28-day pill strips. Each pill is assigned to a specific day of the week. There are arrows printed on the pack showing the order you need to take the pills. When you start a new strip of Hana, you should take a pill labelled with the correct day of the week. So, if it is Monday when you start the strip, you should take a pill marked ‘Mon’.

When you start a new strip of Hana pill, you should:

• take a pill marked with the correct, corresponding day of the week
• swallow the pill whole with water if needed
• continue taking 1 pill every day until the strip is empty
• when the pack is empty, start a new Hana strip the next day without having a break or waiting for a bleed

When to take Hana?

You should take Hana at the same time each day. Choose a time which suits you and is easy to remember. For example, you may find it easier to take it at the same time you brush your teeth in the morning or just before you go to bed. It may be helpful to set an alarm to remind you when to take your Hana pill.

You can start taking Hana at any time during your menstrual cycle, but you may not be protected from pregnancy straight away.

If you start Hana on day 1 of your menstrual cycle or the day you get your period, you will be protected against pregnancy straight away.

If you begin the Hana pill on day 2 to 5 of your period, you will need to use condoms for the first 7 days of taking the pill.

How often to take Hana

You should take Hana once daily for 28 days without any break between packs. Try to take Hana at the same time each day. You may find it useful to set an alarm as a reminder.

How long do you need to take Hana for?

You should take Hana for as long as you do not want to get pregnant.

If you decide you would like to try for a baby, you can stop taking Hana at any time. You will not be protected against pregnancy as soon as you stop taking your pill.

What should I do if I forget to take the pill?

If you are less than 12 hours late taking your pill: take it as soon as you remember. You can then take your next pill at the usual time, this may mean taking 2 pills in the same day. Your protection against pregnancy will be maintained.

If you are more than 12 hours late: take it as soon as you remember. You must then take your next pill at the usual time, this could mean that you will take 2 pills in the same day. You will need to use an extra method of contraception, like condoms, for the next 7 days

Note: If you are sick or have diarrhoea within 3 to 4 hours of taking Hana, the active ingredient may not have been properly absorbed and the contraceptive effect may be reduced. You will need to use additional contraception, like condoms, while you’re ill and for the first 7 days of normal pill taking. If you are not sure what to do, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

You can purchase Hana online or over-the-counter. However, you will need to have a consultation beforehand. You can request Hana from services like Superdrug Online Doctor without the need for a face-to-face appointment.

Can I buy Hana online?

You can request Hana from Superdrug Online Doctor:

1. Fill in a brief questionnaire about your health and lifestyle.
2. Order your preferred choice of treatment and make payment.
3. One of our doctors will review your order and questionnaire answers.
4. If your order is approved, your treatment can be delivered directly and discreetly to your address if you choose, or it can be made available for collection at a Superdrug Pharmacy just 2 to 3 hours after doctor approval.
5. If your order is not right for you, one of our doctors will contact you via your account with other suitable options tailored to your needs and requirements.

Can I buy Hana over-the-counter?

Hana is available over-the-counter without a prescription, but you will need to have a short consultation so that the pharmacist can determine if Hana is right for you.

Can I get Hana on the NHS?

You may be able to get Hana on the NHS, but you will need to have a consultation with a doctor to assess if Hana is the right contraception for you.

As with all medications there is a risk of side effects when you take Hana, but not everyone will experience them. If you have any concerns about potential side effects when or before taking Hana, you should speak with your doctor.

Common side effects that may affect 1 in 10 women include:

• mood changes
• feeling depressed
• reduced sex drive (libido)
• headache
• feeling sick (nausea)
• acne
• breast pain
• irregular or no periods
• weight gain

Uncommon side effects, affecting up to 1 in 100 women are:

• vaginal infection
• difficulty in wearing contact lenses
• being sick (vomiting)
• hair loss
• painful periods
• ovarian cysts
• feeling tired

Rare side effects that may affect 1 in 1 000 women include:

• skin rash
• hives
• painful red-blue skin lumps known as erythema nodosum

If you experience any of the following severe allergic reactions, you should call 999 or go to A&E straight away:

• swollen face, lips, tongue and/or throat
• difficulty swallowing or breathing

How long do Hana side effects last?

When you begin to take Hana you may experience side effects, these should go away within the first 3 months as your body adjusts to the pill.

What to do if you get Hana side effects

In most cases Hana side effects should be mild. If you are struggling to cope with any of the side effects, even those not listed in the patient information leaflet, you should contact your doctor or pharmacist, or nurse for advice.

Do not use Hana if you:

• are or think you are pregnant
• are allergic to any of the ingredients in Hana pills
• have or have had a blood clot
• have or ever had jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes)
• experienced unexplained vaginal bleeding
• have or may have cancer that could grow with the presence of certain hormones like certain types of breast or ovarian cancer

You should tell your doctor before you begin taking Hana if you:

• have or have ever had breast cancer
• have liver cancer
• are diabetic
• are epileptic
• have tuberculosis
• have high blood pressure
• have or have had chloasma, a skin condition that causes yellow-brown pigmentation patches

Hana and breastfeeding

Hana can be used while you are breastfeeding because the active ingredient, desogestrel, doesn’t influence the production or quality of breast milk. Some people report a reduction in breast milk production and a small amount of desogestrel will pass into the milk, but no effects on growth or development in breastfed children have been reported.

Hana and pregnancy

Hana must not be used when you are pregnant or if you think you might be pregnant.

There are many alternatives to Hana available to prevent pregnancy, including hormonal and non-hormonal options.

Alternative hormonal contraceptive options

If Hana is not right for you, there are a variety of hormonal alternatives available. At Superdrug Online Doctor we offer:

Mini pill

• Cerelle: Contains the same active ingredient in the same dose as Hana but requires a prescription from a doctor.
• Norgeston: A popular mini pill containing levonorgestrel that works by stopping your ovaries from releasing an egg each month.

Combined pill

• Microgynon 30: The most popular contraceptive pill available that can also be used to treat heavy periods, acne, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Available in 21 or 28 day pill packs.
• Yasmin: Popular combined pill containing ethinylestradiol and drospirenone that’s also effective for period pain and acne.

Other hormonal options

• Evra patches: Applied to your skin once a week, Evra patches release oestrogen and progesterone into the blood to prevent pregnancy. They are a good alternative if you would prefer not to take a daily pill.
• NuvaRing: A ring that’s inserted into your vagina that releases hormones to stop pregnancy. The ring doesn’t interfere with sex or wearing tampons and lasts for 3 weeks.
• Contraceptive injection: An injection that is given by a trained medical professional that lasts between 8 to 13 weeks. Like the mini pill, the injection only contains progestogen.
• Contraceptive implant: A small plastic rod that’s inserted under the skin in your arm that releases progesterone to prevent pregnancy.
• Intrauterine system (IUS): Commonly known as the coil, the IUS is inserted into the womb and releases progestogen to stop your ovaries from releasing an egg.

You can explore our full range of contraceptive pills or request an online pill consultation if you are unsure about which contraception is right for you.

Non-hormonal options

• Condoms: Worn on the penis during sex to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy.
• Female condoms: Similar concept to male condoms but placed inside your vagina to prevent pregnancy.
• Intrauterine device or copper coil: A small plastic T-shaped coil that a nurse inserts into your womb and releases copper to prevent pregnancy.
• Diaphragms: Inserted over the womb entrance to stop sperm from penetrating and causing pregnancy.

Why is Hana available over-the-counter?

Hana is available over-the-counter as studies have shown that it is a safe form of contraception for most women.

Does the Hana pill cause weight gain?

Weight gain is listed as a potential side effect of Hana and may affect up to 1 in 10 people who take it. People typically gain weight due to fluid retention, increase in muscle mass, or increase in body fat. The effects of Hana can vary from person to person and it’s often hard to tell whether it is the pill that has caused weight gain, or other factors.

Research shows that the weight gain in people who started the mini pill gained less than 4.4 pounds or 2 kilograms after 6 to 12 months. This means that even though weight gain is listed as a side effect, it doesn’t mean you will necessarily be affected.

Is Hana better than Cerazette?

Both Hana and Cerazette contain 75 micrograms of desogestrel and they work in exactly the same way. The main difference is that Cerazette is a prescription-only contraceptive pill and Hana is available over-the-counter which may be more convenient for some people.