Hana

What is Hana?

Hana is a contraceptive pill that's up to 99% effective when you take it as recommended, which can be bought without a prescription. It's suitable for most women and can be taken while you’re breastfeeding.

When should I start taking Hana?

If you haven’t been using hormonal contraception: If you haven’t taken any hormonal contraception for the past month, start Hana on Day 1 of your period. If you do this, you’ll be protected straight away. If you start taking Hana on Days-2-5 of your period (or any other time in your menstrual cycle), you’ll need to use extra precautions (such as condoms) for at least seven days.

If you’re changing hormonal contraception:

Changing from the combined pill: Start taking Hana the day after the last active tablet. You won’t need to take any extra precautions. If you start Hana on the day after an inactive tablet, you’ll need extra precautions for seven days.

Changing from the mini-pill (progestogen-only pill): Start taking Hana the day after the last tablet. You won’t need to take any extra precautions. If you start Hana later than that, you’ll need extra precautions for seven days.

Changing from the vaginal ring or skin patch: Start taking Hana on the day of removal. You won’t need to take any extra precautions. If you’re starting Hana after a ring-free or patch-free break, you’ll need extra precautions for seven days.

Changing from injections: Start taking Hana the day your next injection is due. You won’t need to take any extra precautions. If you start Hana later than that, you’ll need extra precautions for seven days.

Changing from the implant or intrauterine system: Start taking Hana on the day of removal. You won’t need any extra precautions. If you start Hana later than that, you’ll need extra precautions for seven days.

If your period is late, or you’ve had a miscarriage or abortion:

If your period is late or has come when you didn’t expect it, take a pregnancy test first. If the test is negative, start Hana on Day 1 of your next period (no need for extra precautions) or on Days 2-5 of your period (and use condoms for seven days). If the test is positive, do not start Hana – visit your GP. If you’ve just had a miscarriage or abortion, you can start taking Hana immediately or within 5 days afterwards. You won’t need to use any extra precautions.

After childbirth:

If you’ve just given birth, you can start taking Hana anytime from the first day to 21 days afterwards. If you start taking Hana after 21 days from childbirth, you’ll need to take extra precautions (such as condoms) for 7 days. If you had unprotected sex after 21 days post-childbirth, take a pregnancy test first (take it three weeks after your last episode of unprotected sex) or visit your GP.

What happens if I forget to take 1 or more pills?

If you remember to take your pill within 12 hours:

It’s very important to take your pill at the same time every day. But we all forget things from time to time. If you realise you’ve missed your pill within 12 hours of when you would usually take it, take one right away, then carry on taking your pills as normal - even if it means taking two pills in one day. Your protection should still be effective if you take it within the 12-hour window.

If you remember to take your pill more than 12 hours after the usual time:

If you’ve missed a pill by more than 12 hours, take the most recently missed pill as soon as you remember, then take the next pill as normal – even if this means taking two pills in one day. You should use extra precautions and contraception, like condoms, if you have sex during the next 7 days because your pill won’t be as effective.

If you’ve missed multiple days:

If you’ve missed multiple days of your pill, don’t take them all at once. Just take your most recent missed pill, then carry on taking them as usual, leaving the missed ones in the pack. Use a condom or other contraception if you have sex for the first 7 days after you start taking your pills again, as they’ll take time to become fully effective again.

If your period is late after you’ve missed any pills in the last month, or you think you might be pregnant, you should take a pregnancy test. If the test is positive, stop taking Hana immediately and see your doctor as soon as possible.

How should I take Hana if I vomit or have diarrhoea?

If you’ve been sick (vomiting) between 3 - 4 hours of taking the pill, you should take another one - even if it means taking two pills in one day. If you carry on being sick, or have continuous diarrhoea, you should continue taking your pill as normal, but use extra contraception e.g. a condom, while you’re still sick and for 7 days afterwards.

How should I take Hana if I’ve used emergency contraception?

If you’ve been in a situation where you’ve not used any contraception and have taken emergency contraception after having sex, we would advise you to take Hana on the first day of your period. If you decide to start taking it sooner you’ll need to follow this important advice:

Emergency contraception that contains levonorgestrel: You can start taking Hana at the same time as the emergency contraception, but you should use additional contraception, like a condom, for the first 7 days.

Emergency contraception that contains ulipristal acetate, such as EllaOne: Wait 5 days, or 120 hours, before you start taking Hana again and use other contraception, like condoms, during this time. After the 5 days, when you start taking Hana again, you’ll need to use extra contraception e.g. condoms for another 7 days. Altogether, you’ll need to use the additional contraception for 12 days after taking emergency contraception that contains ulipristal acetate.