Contraceptive Pill

How does the contraceptive pill work?

Taking the pill stops you from getting pregnant. There are two main different types of contraceptive pill. The combined pill stops your body from releasing an egg each month. It contains the hormones oestrogen and progesterone.

Some women are unable to take oestrogen, so the progestogen only pill (POP) is the other option. The progestogen only pill stops pregnancy by thickening the mucus in the cervix, which stops sperm from reaching the egg.

The pill will not stop you from getting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) when you have sex. Using condoms is the best way to avoid STIs and they can also stop you from getting pregnant. If you take the pill correctly it should be 99% effective at stopping you from getting pregnant.

How do I choose a contraceptive pill?

To help you choose a contraceptive pill, consider the pros and cons of each type. There are many benefits to both the combined pill and the mini pill (progestogen only), and they are equally as effective at preventing pregnancy. Each type has their drawbacks or cons that you need to think about too, before you choose a contraceptive pill.

Combined pill pros and cons

Some pros to taking the combined pill include:

• less painful menstrual cramps
• reduced symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• reduced symptoms of endometriosis
• improvement in acne
• shorter, lighter and more predictable periods
• missing a pill is less of a problem compared to the mini pill

However, some cons of the combined pill include:

• increased risk of blood clots, high cholesterol, heart attack or stroke
• skipping your pill or taking it late may affect how it works

Mini pill pros and cons

Meanwhile, some pros to taking the mini pill include:

• it can be taken even if you have certain health problems that prevent you from taking the combination pill, such as migraines, a history of blood clots or high blood pressure
• less likely to interfere with breastfeeding
• lowers the amount of pain you feel during your period, or stops it altogether
• can be used at any age, even if you smoke

Some cons of the mini pill include:

• missing a mini pill is more of a problem compared to the combined pill
• some women have a less predictable bleeding pattern on the mini pill
• a slightly increased risk that if you do become pregnant, the fertilized egg will implant outside the uterus (ectopic pregnancy)

There are many different pills out there. Asda Online Doctor can help you choose a contraceptive pill that is right for you, based on your needs.

What are the different types of contraceptive pills?

Combined contraceptive pill

The combined oral contraceptive pill or ‘the pill’ has two types of female hormones in it. These are called oestrogen and progesterone. Your body makes these hormones naturally in your ovaries. The pill changes the amounts of these hormones that your body produces, and stops your ovaries from releasing an egg each month.

How do you take the combined pill?

For most combined pills, you take 1 pill every day for 21 days, then stop for 7 days. After this, you start again and take 1 pill every day. During the 7 day break, you will bleed like you would when you have your period.

The ‘everyday’ pill is a combined contraceptive pill that you take every day. This can help you to remember to take the pill. During the 7 day break, you will take a ‘dummy’ pill that does not have any hormones in it.

Some brands of combined pills are taken slightly differently so always check on your pill packet, or ask your doctor if you are not sure.

The combined pill is not right for everyone. It may not be right for you if:

• you smoke and are over 35
• you quit smoking less than 12 months ago and are over 35
• if you have a raised body mass index (BMI)
• are taking other medication

There are some medical conditions that may mean you cannot take the combined contraceptive pill. Other medications are known to interact with the pill. Once you have registered for an account with us, you will need to tell us about these when you request a contraceptive pill. Make sure you tell our doctor about any other health conditions that you have, so they can prescribe the sort of contraception that is safe for you to use.

Progesterone only contraceptive (mini pill)

The mini pill only has one hormone in it, a type of progestogen. You take the mini pill every day. If taken this way, it is 99% effective at stopping you from getting pregnant. Some women are not able to take pills containing oestrogen, so they take the mini pill instead.

How do you take the mini pill?

The mini pill must be taken at the same time every day. If you take the mini pill late, it could mean that you may get pregnant if you have sex. Mini pills are either 3 hour pills or 12 hour pills. Being ‘late’ on the 3 hour pill means taking the pill more than 3 hours after you normally would, while being late on the 12 hour pill means taking this 12 hours later than usual.

The mini pill is suitable for most women, and you can take it until you reach the menopause or until you are 55.

The mini pill might not be suitable if:

• you think you are pregnant
• do not want your periods to change
• are on some other medicines
• have a heart condition or have had a stroke
• have liver disease
• have had breast cancer

Taking the mini pill can change your period. You might get no period, a lighter period, or a heavier period.

Contraceptive phasic pill

The phasic pill is a type of combined contraceptive pill that comes in 2 or 3 strips of different coloured pills. These pills have different amounts of hormones in them. You take 1 pill for 21 days, and then no pills for 7 days. You can also get an ‘everyday’ version of the phasic pill. It is very important to take phasic pills in the right order. If you do not do this, they might not work.

You should be able to take the phasic pill unless you are:

• over 35 and smoke, or quit smoking less than 12 months ago
• have a high BMI
• taking some other medications

Our doctors can tell you if the phasic pill is right for you once you fill out our questionnaire..

Contraceptive low oestrogen pill

Taking hormones can give you side effects. If you get side effects, a low oestrogen pill can stop them or reduce them.

What to do if you miss taking a pill

You should take the pill at the same time every day, unless you are on a 7 day pill break. It can be less effective if you do not take it as prescribed.

The pill also does not work as well if you:

• miss a pill
• are sick (vomit) or have diarrhoea

Missing a pill can make your contraception work less well. You should check the patient information leaflet if you miss a pill.

Combined pill

Source: https://www.fsrh.org/documents/fsrh-ceu-guidance-recommended-actions-after-incorrect-use-of/

	Is your risk of pregnancy increased?	What to do now?
You forgot 2 or more pills after your pill-free interval (9 or more days have passed since the last active pill)	Yes	take the most recent missed pill as soon as you remember continue with your regular schedule use extra protection (like condoms) for the next 7 days talk to your GP about emergency contraception if you’ve had unprotected sex during or after the pill-free interval
You forgot 1 pill in week 1 of your current month (the 1st pill was taken correctly)	No	take the missed pill as soon as you remember continue with your regular schedule you do not need to use extra contraception
You forgot 2-7 pills in week 1 of your current month (the 1st pill was taken correctly)	Yes	take the most recent missed pill as soon as you remember continue with your regular schedule use extra protection (like condoms) for the next 7 days talk to your GP about emergency contraception if you have had unprotected sex during the pill-free interval or week 1
You forgot 1 pill in week 2 or week 3 of your current month (or in any subsequent week if you skip the pill-free interval)	No	take the missed pill as soon as you remember continue with your regular schedule you do not need to use extra contraception
You forgot 2-7 pills in week 2 or week 3 of your current month (or in any subsequent week if you skip the pill-free interval)	Yes	take the most recent missed pill as soon as you remember continue with your regular schedule if you have forgotten to take 2 or more pills before your pill-free interval, pass over the pill-free interval use extra protection (like condoms) for the next 7 days emergency contraception is not necessary
You forgot more than 7 consecutive pills (in any week of the current month)	Yes	if you want to continue taking the pill, you take it as if you’re newly starting it use extra protection (like condoms) for the next 7 days talk to your GP about emergency contraception

Mini pill

If you have missed a pill and do not know what to do, you should read the patient information leaflet that came with your contraceptive pills. If you have registered for an account with us, you can also contact one of our doctors for information.

Source: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/miss-progestogen-only-pill/

	Is your risk of pregnancy increased?	What to do now?
You forgot 1 pill and remember within the window for taking it (3 or 12 hours depending on the exact brand)	No	take the missed pill as soon as you remember continue with your regular schedule you do not need to use extra contraception
You forgot 1 pill and notice after the window for taking it (3 or 12 hours depending on the exact brand)	Yes	take the missed pill as soon as you remember continue with your regular schedule use extra protection (like condoms) for the next 2 days talk to your GP about emergency contraception if you’ve had unprotected sex within 48 hours after missing your pill

How effective is the contraceptive pill?

The contraceptive pill is 99% effective if you do not miss any pills. So if you take either the combined pill or the mini pill (progestogen only), there is hardly any chance you will become pregnant.

For the contraceptive pill to be effective, you have to take it as described in the patient information leaflet that comes with it. A doctor can help you with any questions you might have about taking the contraceptive pill, or switching between a combined or mini pill.

If you miss a period, or there is anything unusual about your ‘breakthrough bleed’ on the combined pill, you should take a pregnancy test to check if you are pregnant.

Contraceptive pill side effects

Like all medicine, you can get side effects when you take the contraceptive pill.

Common side effects when taking the combined contraceptive pill include:

• headaches
• feeling or being sick
• breasts feeling tender
• mood swings

Common side effects when taking the progestogen only pill include:

• spots or acne
• tender breasts
• breast enlargement
• a change in sex drive
• changes in mood
• migraine or headache
• feeling or being sick
• cysts on your ovaries

These side effects should go away after you have been taking the pill for a few months. If they do not go away, you might want to change to a different type of pill. Once you are registered for an account with us you can message our doctors through our secure, discreet, messaging service for more help with this.

Risks associated with the combined pill include:

• raised blood pressure
• increased risk of blood clots
• heart disease and stroke
• breast cancer
• cervical cancer
• mood changes

Risks associated with the progestogen only pill include:

• ectopic pregnancy
• breast cancer
• heart disease

Contraceptive pill safety information

The pill can be affected by other medicines that you take. Before taking the pill, you need to let your doctor know what other medicine you use before you start taking the pill. You should also tell your doctor that you are on the pill before starting any other type of medicine.

The patient information leaflet for the pill you take will tell you which medicines you should not take at the same time. You can message one of our doctors through your online account if you need help or advice on this.

Serious health problems and the pill

The pill has been linked to serious health problems like blood clots, cervical cancer, and breast cancer. You should speak to your doctor if you are concerned about these risks. Ten years after you stop taking the pill, the risk of breast cancer or cervical cancer drops back to normal.

What other types of contraception are there?

There are other types of contraception available to stop you from getting pregnant.

Contraceptive patch

The contraceptive patch is a small patch that sticks to your arm and contains the same hormones as the contraceptive pill to help prevent pregnancy. You wear 1 patch each week for 3 weeks and then have a 7 day patch free week where you get a breakthrough bleed like the pill. The patches are waterproof, and are 99% effective.

Contraceptive ring

The contraceptive ring, also known as a vaginal ring, is a small plastic ring that you place inside your vagina. A contraceptive ring contains the same hormones as a combined pill and you wear it for 3 weeks, then have a 7 day ring free break. During the 7 day break, you will have a mini period. You use 1 ring for a 4 week cycle, and it is 99% effective.

Contraceptive implant

The contraceptive implant is a small plastic rod that is placed under the skin in your upper arm by a nurse or doctor that releases progestogen into your body. A contraceptive implant can last for 3 years and is 99% effective.

Intrauterine system (IUS)

An IUS is a T shaped plastic coil that is put into your womb by a doctor. An IUS contains only 1 type of hormone, a progestogen, to stop you from getting pregnant. The IUS lasts up to 3 to 5 years, and is 99% effective.

Intrauterine device (IUD)

An IUD is a long acting contraception that is hormone free. The IUD is a small T shaped copper coil that is placed in your uterus (womb) by a doctor or nurse. An IUD releases copper to stop you from getting pregnant. A copper IUD can last 5 to 10 years, and is 99% effective.

Male condoms

Condoms are made of latex. A condom is put on the penis before sex to prevent sperm from reaching your womb. There are also non latex alternatives for those who may have an allergy to latex. Male condoms are 98% effective and prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), but they are not reusable.

Female condoms

Female condoms, or femidoms, are normally made of latex. You have to put a female condom into your vagina before sex. They act as a barrier to stop sperm from getting into your womb. You can only use a female condom once. They do protect against STIs. Female condoms can be 95% effective.

Female diaphragm

A diaphragm is a cap that a female sprays with spermicide and places inside her vagina, on the entrance of her cervix, before sex. This type of contraception is reusable, but is only 88% effective.

For further information and advice on what is the best contraception method for you, fill out our simple online form when you request a contraceptive pill. Once registered, you can speak with our doctors to discuss your best contraception option, and have it delivered discreetly to your home.

Can the pill cause weight gain?

The pill does not cause weight gain directly. You may gain a small amount of weight within the first 2 to 3 months of starting a new contraceptive pill, but it should go away as you continue to take it. If you feel you have gained weight because of the pill, talk to your doctor for advice.

Can I switch to a different type of contraceptive pill?

Yes, you can switch to a different type of contraceptive pill at any time, after speaking to a doctor. If you are having any side effects while taking your current contraceptive pill or would like to try another method of contraception, you can speak to your doctor about switching.

The best way to switch to a different type of contraceptive pill is to start your new pill at the end of your cycle, when you need to start a new strip of pills. Switching this way will allow you to stay protected against getting pregnant.

Can the contraceptive pill help with acne?

Yes, the combined contraceptive pill can help with acne as it can help balance your hormones. This helps reduce how much oil your skin produces, so you get fewer spots.

Combination pills such as Yasmin or Lucette can help with acne if you take them for a few months. But, your acne might come back if you stop taking the contraceptive pill.

The progestogen only mini pill is less likely to help with acne.

Can the contraceptive pill stop periods?

Yes, the contraceptive pill can stop periods while you are taking it.

For the combined pill, you can skip your period by taking blister strips back to back. So at the end of your 21 day strip, you do not have a 7 day break (or take your 7 inactive pills), and you go straight onto the next 21 pill blister strip. You should speak to your doctor for advice if you plan to do this. There is a chance that you may have some breakthrough bleeding whilst taking the pill back to back.

Your period might stop if you take the mini pill and you might have some breakthrough bleeding at random.

The contraception pill only stops your period when you are taking it, and will not permanently stop your period. When you stop taking the pill, your period will go back to how it was before after a few months.