Slinda is a new contraceptive pill now available in Australia.

Slinda is a new progesterone-only contraceptive pill which became available in Australia in October 2021.

There are around 40 types of contraceptive pills available in Australian pharmacies. Most work in much the same way and contain the basic formula of oestrogen and progesterone in different strengths and combinations. There are side effects such as nausea, headaches or topical skin pigmentation caused by the oestrogen in ’The Pill‘. Some women have medical conditions that mean they must not take oestrogen because of the increased risk of blood clots and stroke; this includes women with migraines who experience aura (warning signs) and women over 35 years who smoke.

There are also the pills that just contain low-dose progesterone, the so-called ’mini-pills‘ or ‘POP’. These are less effective than the regular Pill and are way more tricky to take correctly as they need to be taken within a 3-hour window every day.

“Same-same but different” – a new type of contraceptive pill arrives in Australia, finally!

What does Slinda offer that is new?

This new pill contains no oestrogen component: only progesterone. But it is as effective as the combined pills – around 99% if taken perfectly (but more like 95% in real life!). Like all oral contraception, this pill needs to be taken every day but it has a 24-hour window which gives more flexibility than the older types of progesterone-only pills/mini-pills.

In the UK, they have had similar new progesterone-only pills (POP) for many years and it is something that, as a women’s health doctor, I have often wished we had access to in Australia

Like all hormonal methods of contraception there are expected bleeding changes and possible hormone-related side effects, so it’s really important to have a proper discussion with your doctor before deciding if this is the right choice for you. But I am excited that we have a  new option available to increase contraceptive choice in Australia!