The combined pill
The pill is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. This means that fewer than one woman in 100 who use the combined pill as contraception will get pregnant in one year.
It usually makes periods regular, lighter and less painful. It also reduces the risk of cancer of the ovary, uterus and colon. When you stop taking the combined pill fertility will return to normal.
The combined pill is not suitable for women over 35 who smoke, or women with certain medical conditions.
How does it work?
It contains artificial versions of the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which women produce naturally in their ovaries. The hormones in the pill prevent your ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulating). They also make it difficult for sperm to reach an egg, or for an egg to implant itself in the lining of the womb.
You need to take the pill every day for 21 days, then stop for seven days, and during this week you have a period-type bleed. You start taking the pill again after seven days. You must take the pill at the same time every day or it may not work.
Possible side effects
It can cause temporary side effects at first, such as headaches, nausea, breast tenderness and mood swings – if these do not go after a few months, it may help to change to a different pill.
Where do I get it?
Visit your nearest sexual health clinic or your GP surgery.
Progestogen only pill
It contains the hormone progestogen, but doesn’t contain oestrogen. If taken correctly, it can be more than 99% effective. This means that fewer than one woman in 100 who use the progestogen-only pill will get pregnant in one year.
It can be used by women who cannot use oestrogen. It can also be used by smokers, women who are over 35 years old and women who are breastfeeding.
How does it work?
It thickens the mucus in the cervix, which stops sperm reaching an egg. In can also stop ovulation.
There are 28 pills in a pack of progestogen-only pills. You need to take one pill every day. There’s no break between packs of pills – when you finish one pack you start the next one the next day. You must take the pill at the same time every day or it may not work.
Possible side effects
- periods can become lighter, irregular, more frequent or stop
- some women experience spotty skin and breast tenderness –which should clear up within a few months.
Where do I get it?
Visit your nearest sexual health clinic or your GP surgery.
