Your questions
We've collected together the most frequently asked questions about contraception, to ensure that you can find the right contraception for you.
No - there are more than 20 varieties of pill available today, and each of them is slightly different.
There are two main types of pill. The pill can contain two types of hormone - an oestrogen and a progestogen and some pills contain progestogen only. When you become pregnant the body produces these hormones naturally, to stop you producing any more eggs. The combined pill mimics this action, so that even though you are not pregnant, ovulation is prevented. It also thickens the mucus in the cervix, which makes it difficult for sperm to get through. The progestogen only pill works by thickening the mucus at the entrance to the womb. In some women it may also prevent ovulation.
The most usual way to start taking the pill is on the first day of your period, this way you'll be protected straight away.
You can also start the pill any time during your cycle, although if you start at any time other than the start of your period, you should ensure you are not pregnant and also use another form of contraception (e.g. a condom). Depending on the pill you're on this could be 7 or 9 days, please refer to the patient information leaflet to check this.
It depends on the type of pill. Each pill works across a 28-day cycle including a pill free or placebo interval which means that you have one pack for each cycle. With progestogen only pills a hormonal pill is taken everyday for 28 days. Combined pills vary. With the majority of combined pills, you take a hormonal pill for 21 days and then have 7 pill free days or you take 7 hormone free pills. Alternatively, you may be on a pill that has 26 hormonal pills followed by 2 hormone free pills. During this break you will still be protected and you may have a menstruation like bleed.
The pill has been used since the 1960s, and side effects are rare. Some women may have minor side effects when they first start taking the pill, but usually these subside after about 12 weeks. Side effects can include bleeding between periods, headaches and breast tenderness. Different brands of the combined pill contain different doses of oestrogen. There are also a number of different progestogens available in these pills. If you are suffering from side effects on the pill you are using it might be helpful to ask your doctor if you can switch to an alternative pill as different types suit different women.
Very rarely, a few women might suffer from thrombosis, but this is very uncommon. The risk of thrombosis depends on a number of factors, including family history, age and body weight, and increases if a combination of risk factors are present. The link between thrombosis and the pill is far less strong than for other risk factors, is much less than the chances of developing thrombosis if you don't use contraception and get pregnant and varies depending on the type of contraceptive pill you take.22 If you have ever suffered a blood clot, or you have a family history of thrombosis or circulatory disease, you should let your doctor know, as the pill may not be suitable for you.
You should also inform your doctor if you are a smoker, have diabetes or high blood pressure as these conditions also increase the risk of a clot, as do being very overweight or immobile (for example, wheelchair users).
See your doctor at once if you develop any of the following symptoms:
- severe pain and swelling in the calf of one leg
- severe chest pain and difficulty breathing
- severe abdominal pain
- severe, prolonged headache - especially if you have not previously suffered from migraine
- loss of vision or weakness on one side of the body
- yellow eyes and skin (jaundice)
Although these symptoms are worrying, it must be stressed they are extremely rare and will not affect most women taking the pill.
There is an increased risk of developing breast cancer, but this is very small and returns to normal within ten years after stopping the pill.22 You need to balance this with the protection the pill gives against endometrial and ovarian cancer.22
- Guillebaud, J. Contraception: Your Questions Answered, 2004
Yes - as well as short-term benefits such as more regular, lighter and less painful periods, in the long-term the pill is known to reduce the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer by as much as 20% and 50% respectively.22
- Guillebaud, J. Contraception: Your Questions Answered, 2004
The pill is one of the most reliable forms of contraception, giving a very high degree of protection against pregnancy when taken as instructed.
Some pills can improve the condition of your skin, others help with symptoms such as acne, Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS), and cyclical bloating.
There is no evidence to suggest that the pill has any effect on long-term fertility or that it is necessary to take a 'pill break'.
Lots of different pills are available, and they are all slightly different. If you find the pill you are on does not suit you, there are plenty of others to choose from! However, usually it takes some months until your body is accustomed to a certain pill and too frequent changes would prevent you from finding any appropriate type. Talk to your doctor who will assist you.
You can visit your doctor or family planning clinic to have the pill prescribed. There are also a number of websites that offer on-line consultation and prescribing services.
The most usual way is to start taking the pill on the first day of your period, this way you'll be protected straight away.
You can also start the pill at any time during your cycle, although if you start at any time other than the start of your period, you should ensure you are not pregnant and also use another form of contraception (e.g. a condom) for the next 7 days.
It depends on the type of pill. Each pill works across a 28 day cycle including the pill-free or placebo interval, which means you have one pack for each cycle. With some you have to take a hormonal pill everyday of the cycle. With others you take a hormonal pill every day for 21 days of the cycle, and then have a hormone free break of seven days where either no pill is taken or a hormone free pill is taken. During this break, you will still be protected and you will have a menstruation-like bleed.
Yes - as long as you have taken the previous pills as instructed. Also, if you do have sex during the break, it's particularly important to start your next pack on time and to make sure the pills are taken correctly.
The pill usually makes your periods more regular, shorter, lighter and less painful.
You need to check the patient information leaflet that came with your pill pack for direction. Should you still be concerned, seek advice from your healthcare professional.
Some antibiotics and other prescription drugs can reduce the effectiveness of the pill so always tell your doctor you're taking the pill if you are prescribed medicine.
The pill does not offer protection against STIs (sexually transmitted infections), so, until you are sure of your partner's sexual history or sexual health, it's advisable to use a condom in addition to taking the pill.
Although some women on the pill report putting on weight, it is very questionable that this could be traced back to the pill. However, with some pills you might put on weight when you start taking them, due to water retention, which makes you feel bigger. If water retention is a problem a change of pill should be considered.
You may also find your appetite increases in the first three months of pill taking - and of course if you eat more you may gain weight! Watch what you put on your plate to make sure the pounds don't creep on.
Actually some modern pills can help clear up your skin. Talk to your doctor about how the right pill could combat skin impurities or even acne. Sometimes women do break out in response to their pill, and if this is the case you should consult your doctor. With more than 20 types of pill available today, you should be able to find the pill which is most suitable for you.
Some women do feel sick when they take the pill, but with so many varieties available today you should be able to find a pill to suit you.
There's no evidence or scientific rationale that this should be done.
Large studies have investigated this and there is no evidence to suggest the pill has any long term effect on a woman's ability to have a baby, even if it is taken for a long period of time.
Try to adopt a routine with your pill-taking to make it easier for yourself to remember.