The combined pill
What is it and how does it work?
The combined pill is often simply referred to as "the pill".
Contains two hormones - oestrogen and progestogen. Works mainly by stopping a woman's ovaries releasing an egg each month. It also causes changes in the woman's body which make it difficult for sperm to enter the womb or for the womb to accept a fertilised egg.
How are they used
There are different types of combined pill available:
- 21-day pill
You take one pill a day for 21 days, then no pills for the next seven days. Each pill has the same amount of hormone in it. These pills are known as "monophasic pills" and are the most common type of pill. - Phasic pills
You have two or three sections of different coloured pills in the pack. You take one pill a day for 21 days, and then no pills for the next seven days. Each pill contains a different amount of hormone so you must take them in the right order. - EveryDay pills
You take one pill a day for 28 days with no break between packets. There are 21 active pills and seven inactive pills which don't contain any hormones. You must take these pills in the right order.
Where can you get them from?
Family Planning Doctors, nurses, and most GPs.
At first you will usually be given three months' supply to see how the pill suits you. After that you will need to go back to the doctor or nurse regularly to get more supplies and have your blood pressure checked.
Who can use them?
Not everyone can use the combined pill, and a doctor or nurse will ask you about your own, and your family's medical history. You should mention any illness or operation you have had.
Possible side effects
You may get temporary side effects when you first start taking the pill. These include:
- headaches
- weight gain or loss
- nausea
- breast tenderness
- bleeding between periods
- mood changes
These side effects should stop within three months. If not, changing your type of pill may help.
How effective is it?
If taken according to the instructions the combined pill is 99% effective.
If you are sick, or have severe diarrhoea within three hours of taking the pill, you will need to use an extra contraceptive method (e.g. condoms) whilst you are ill, and for seven days afterwards. With some types of contraceptive pill (for example, those that involve 21 days of pill taking, followed by a 7 day break), you may need to start a new pack of pills immediately upon finishing the current pack, rather than have the usual break. Refer to instructions included in the packet, or speak to your doctor or nurse.
Also, some other medicines (including some complementary medicines), can affect how the pill works, so you may need to consider using an extra contraceptive method while you are taking the medicine and for seven days afterwards.
Contacts
The contacts database contains details of organisations that may be able to offer information or assistance on this issue.
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Other forms of contraception:
Adapted from information produced by the FPA - www.fpa.org.uk
