What to know about Slynd and the 24 hour missed pill window

If you’ve ever taken a birth control pill that contains estrogen, you’re familiar with the 24 active hormone pill + 4 inactive pills dosing schedule. Slynd is the only estrogen-free pill that follows this schedule, so you can better manage your menstrual cycle to suit your lifestyle.

The advantage of Slynd is that it has a 24hr window to miss a pill instead of the standard 3-hour missed pill window, which doesn’t give you a lot of leeway if you forget to take your pill. It’s important to always try to take your pill on time, but if you do miss a dose, you have this more flexible 24-hour missed pill window with Slynd. (We don’t take ad money at Emme, and this is being written purely at the whim of the Emme team.) 

Slynd (drospirenone) is a progestin-only birth control pill, meaning it contains only a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone. Here's how it typically works:

Ovulation Inhibition: Slynd primarily works by inhibiting ovulation, the process in which an egg is released from the ovaries. The synthetic progesterone in Slynd thickens the cervical mucus and changes the lining of the uterus. By preventing ovulation, it helps prevent the possibility of fertilization.

Changes to Cervical Mucus: The thickened cervical mucus makes it more difficult for sperm to travel into the uterus to fertilize an egg. This creates an additional barrier to conception.

Changes to the Uterine Lining: By altering the lining of the uterus, Slynd makes it less receptive to a fertilized egg. If a sperm does manage to fertilize an egg, the altered uterine lining makes it less likely that the egg will implant and begin to grow.

Consistent Cycle: Unlike some other progestin-only pills, Slynd is taken in a 24/4 regimen. This means you take an active pill for 24 days and then an inactive pill for 4 days, allowing for a more predictable and consistent menstrual cycle.

By combining these mechanisms, Slynd acts as an effective form of birth control. It's worth noting that, like other hormonal contraceptives, Slynd does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It should also be taken with care and under the guidance of a healthcare provider, as it may not be suitable for everyone, and there could be side effects and risks to consider. If you do decide to try Slynd, Slynd fits the Emme Smart Case, and the app also supports the reminders for Slynd (whether or not you use the Smart Case).