Contraceptive Pill - The Facts

The contraceptive pill can be taken by females to prevent pregnancy. The Pill works by stopping an egg from being released. The most common type of pill is almost 100% effective as long its taken correctly but it doesn't protect against sexually transmitted infections. There are lots of different pills and  an expert (doctor or nurse) will be able to help you decide which one is right for you. The pill works by controlling the hormones in a girl’s body.

Find out more about The Combined Pill Find out more about the Progestogen (POP or Mini-Pill) Rather than take a pill everyday you might want to think about long acting reversible contraception (LARC) e.g. the injection or the implant (for further information go to the Other Forms of Contraception page).  You can speak to your nurse or doctor about the different choices available. Where can I get the pill?

The Combined Pill

Small tablets containing two hormones, estrogen and progestogen. The combined pill stops ovulation, which means the woman does not release an egg for fertilisation. It also thickens the mucus around the cervix making it difficult for sperm to get into the womb. This pill is 99% effective if it is taken properly. This means that 1 in every 100 women who use the combined pill will get pregnant each year. It is less effective if it is not taken according to the instructions. The combined pill is not suitable for all women. A doctor or nurse will need to know about a woman's medical history and any illnesses suffered by immediate members of her family, to find out if there are any medical reasons why it might not be suitable

Advantages

• Does not interrupt sex.
• Protects against cancer of the ovary and womb.
• Bleeding may be lighter
• Period pain is less likely
• Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS)/Pre-Menstrual Tension (PMT) is less likely.

Disadvantages

• Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• In a small number of women it can cause serious side effects such as blood clots and cancer of the breast or cervix.
• Can cause weight gain and/or skin problems.

What makes it less effective?

• Not taking it properly.
• Taking it more than 12 hours late.
• Vomiting less than 3 hours after taking it.
• Very severe diarrhoea.
• Some prescription and complementary medicines.

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Progestogen only pill (POP or mini pill)

Small tablets containing the hormone progestogen. Progestogen makes the mucus around the cervix thicker, which makes it difficult for sperm to get into the womb. It can also make it difficult for an egg which has been fertilised to implant in the womb. In some women it stops ovulation (the release of an egg). This pill is 99% effective if it is taken properly. This means that 1 in every 100 women who use the progestogen only pill will get pregnant each year. It is less effective if it is not taken according to the instructions. The progestogen only pill is not suitable for all women. A doctor or nurse will need to know about a woman's medical history and any illnesses suffered by immediate members of her family, to find out if there are any medical reasons why it might not be suitable.

Advantages

• Does not interrupt sex.
• Can be taken by some women who cannot use the combined pill.
• Can be used when breastfeeding.

Disadvantages

• Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• Periods may be irregular.

What makes it less effective?

• Not taking it properly.
• Taking it more than 3 hours late.
• Vomiting less than 3 hours after taking it.
• Very severe diarrhoea.
• Some prescription and complementary medicines.

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Please seek medical advice from your GP, Practice Nurse or Family Planning Clinic regarding different methods of contraception and how to use them.