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Reviewed on April 08, 2025. by
Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell
Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer
Next review due on April 08, 2028.
Last updated on Sep 05, 2025.
Estrogen-free pregnancy protection
Camila is a mini pill that’s 99% effective at protecting against pregnancy. It’s a type of birth control that only contains one hormone, making it a better option if you’re sensitive to estrogen.
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Camila is a type of birth control pill that only contains one hormone, a progestin, specifically a kind called norethindrone. Because it doesn’t have estrogen, it’s known as a progestin-only pill (POP), or “mini-pill.”
How does Camila work?
Camila helps to prevent pregnancy by making the fluid in your cervix thicker. This stops the sperm from reaching the egg, even if your body has produced one.
Progestin-only pills also prevent ovulation in some women, which means that the ovary doesn’t release an egg. So even if a sperm did make it through the cervix, there would be no egg to fertilize.
H3 Who can take Camila?
POPs like Camila are typically recommended for women who can’t take combined birth control because they have a health factor that makes them sensitive to estrogen.
How effective is Camila?
If you take Camila perfectly, every day as instructed by the package insert, it’s over 99% effective[1] at stopping pregnancy. This means that out of 100 women using the contraceptive over 12 months, fewer than 1 will get pregnant.
“Typical” use takes into account real-world mistakes, like forgetting the occasional pill or taking it late. In this case, the mini pill is only 91% effective, so 9 in 100 women using it over one year will become pregnant.
Does Camila only come in one dosage?
There is no ‘Camila Low’ alternative. If you are experiencing Camila side effects or want to find out about a higher dose to help with symptoms of PMS, you should let us know.
The good news is that there are many Camila alternatives, both hormonal and non-hormonal. Finding the right birth control can take a little trial and error, and that’s totally normal.
This page was written by The Treated Content Team.
This page was medically reviewed by Ms Laurenmarie Cormier on April 08, 2025. Next review due on April 08, 2028.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
CamilaNorethindrone
Instructions for Camila tablets
Camila pills come in a blister pack, marked with arrows and days of the week. Take one pill at the same time each day, with water, following the arrows that are labeled on the strip. Take it continuously, with no break between strips.
This page was written by The Treated Content Team.
This page was medically reviewed by Ms Laurenmarie Cormier on April 08, 2025. Next review due on April 08, 2028.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
CamilaNorethindrone
There are some things you need to watch out for when taking Camila, and not everyone can use it. Here’s the official safety info. If there’s something you’re not sure about, let us know.
CamilaNorethindrone
Camila: FAQ
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
When can I start taking Camila?
Answer:
You can start taking Camila any time if you’re not already using hormonal birth control. If you’re switching from another form of contraception, take your first pill on the day after the last pill in your previous pack. Taking it more than once within a 24-hour period might increase your risk of side effects.
What if I miss a pill while using Camila?
Answer:
If you miss a pill, take it as soon as you remember, and take the pill that follows as normal (even if it means taking two pills on the same day). You’ll need to use extra contraception like a condom for seven days. If you miss more than one pill, you should use extra barrier contraception in the meantime and ask our clinician for advice.
What counts as a missed pill on Camila?
Answer:
The missed-pill window for Camila is three hours, so it’s important to take your pill around the same time every day. If you’re more than three hours late taking it, it’s the same as missing a pill entirely. For this reason, you should take Camila at the same time each day.
How long does Camila take to work?
Answer:
If you start taking Camila between the first and fifth days of your period, you’ll be protected against pregnancy right away. If you start on any other day during the month, you’ll need to use condoms or other barrier contraception to stay covered for the first 48 hours of taking it.
After this, you’ll be protected, as long as you’ve followed the instructions carefully.
Coming off Camila to get pregnant: what do I do?
Answer:
While you are not likely to get pregnant on Camila, its effects wear off quickly. This is why it’s important to take it as instructed as any missed pill can mean you’re less protected within hours.
The upside of this is that you should be able to become pregnant soon after stopping if that’s what you want. It’s recommended that you wait one cycle (for your period to return fully) so that you’ll be able to track when the baby’s due.
Does Camila stop periods entirely?
Answer:
Not all women have withdrawal bleeds or periods on progestin-only pills. Some women may find that they have irregular spotting or bleeding between periods for the first couple of months of taking it. But this should stabilize after a short time.
Camila bleeding needs to be monitored, particularly at the start of treatment. If you develop heavy bleeding, or if it’s continuous or unpredictable, you should let us know.
Camila or Norethindrone: which one is better for me?
Answer:
Both Camila and Norethindrone are mini pills containing the same active ingredient, norethindrone, but generic Norethindrone is usually a little cheaper. They’re made by different companies so the pills might look different, but will work the same way and are equally effective.
Does Camila cause weight gain?
Answer:
There’s not much solid evidence that Camila, or any hormonal birth control, directly causes weight gain.[2] But since weight changes can happen for lots of reasons, it’s difficult to rule it out completely. Interestingly, weight loss is also listed as a possible side effect. So you might notice some weight changes, but it varies from person to person.
Can I take Camila as an acne treatment?
Answer:
Unlike the combined pill, Camila should not be taken to treat acne. That’s because the active Camila ingredient, norethindrone, can actually worsen acne when taken alone.
If you suffer from acne, let us know about this during your consultation so we can factor this into the treatments we recommend to you.
Do I need a prescription for Camila?
Answer:
You can only get Camila, or any other pills like Camila, by prescription.
Birth control is very much an individual treatment. What works well for one person might not be suitable for someone else, which is why it’s important to get personalized recommendations from our clinician beforehand.
How does Camila work?
Answer:
Every month, your body goes through a checklist of things to prepare for pregnancy. During ovulation, the ovary releases an egg which travels through the fallopian tubes towards the uterus. If the egg is fertilized as it travels, it attaches to the uterine wall and starts growing. If the egg remains unfertilized, you get your period.
All of this happens because of rising and falling levels of hormones. Hormones trigger ovulation as well as smaller changes, like telling the wall of the uterus to become thicker so that it’s easier for a fertilized egg to attach itself there.
The hormone in Camila, norethindrone, is a type of progestin. Adding it to the hormones already in your body alters what happens every month. Norethindrone increases the thickness of cervical fluid, so sperm cannot swim through and reach an egg as easily. The progestin in mini pills can also override the normal hormonal cycle, preventing ovulation to begin with.
Our experts continually monitor new findings in health and medicine, and we update our articles when new info becomes available.
Why this page was updated on Sep 05, 2025
We reviewed the content and structure of this page, making it more concise and easy to understand.
Current version (Sep 05, 2025)
Edited by: The Treated Content Team.Medically reviewed by: Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell, Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer
Aug 01, 2022
Published by: The Treated Content Team.Medically reviewed by: Ms Laurenmarie Cormier, Clinical Content Reviewer
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell
Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer
Cristina writes content for Treated, and reviews content produced by our other writers to make sure it’s clinically accurate.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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