Contraceptives

The contraceptive pill is a form of birth control used by women at risk of unwanted pregnancies. The combined pill can also be used by those who need contraception but suffer symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and acne. It is also referred to as “the pill”.

Birth control pills are also known as oral contraceptives since they are taken by mouth to prevent unwanted pregnancy. In general, these are effective methods of contraception. However, they can also cause unwanted side effects in some people, so finding one that works best for you can be a process of trial and error.

Contraceptive pills use synthetic (man-made) hormones involved in pregnancy to disrupt the release of eggs from the ovaries (ovulation). This prevents sperm from reaching eggs and fertilising them, ultimately preventing pregnancies. 

Additionally, the pill can cause the mucus in the womb to thicken, which can impede the passage of sperm. This further reduces the chances of sperm reaching the egg and fertilising it. Finally, they can also thin the womb’s lining, which makes it less likely that a fertilised egg will implant into the womb and grow.  

The most commonly prescribed combined or mini-pills in the UK are dependent on your location. However, the most common ones are:

• Rigevidon
• Ovranette
• Microgynon
• Yasmin
• Cilest
• Loestrin
• Mercilon

As described above, there are 2 different types of oral contraceptive pills available, the first one being the combined pill. It contains oestrogen and progestogen which work in 3 different ways to prevent unwanted pregnancies. They thicken the fluid in your cervix (making it more difficult for sperm to enter the womb), preventing the release of an egg from the ovaries, and they prevent the womb lining from thickening enough to facilitate the growth of an egg.

This multi-approach makes the combined pill a highly effective and popular form of contraception. The second type of pill is referred to as the “mini-pill”. As described above, it only contains progestogen, working in a different way to the aforementioned pull as it only prevents the sperm cell from entering the womb. Although effective, women often prefer the combined pill.

Taking the contraceptive pill comes with a variety of benefits such as controlling periods and of course an uninterrupted sex life.

Many women choose the combined pill over the mini-pill due to its ability to lighten periods, regulate the menstrual cycle and reduce the risk of ovarian, womb, and colon cancer. The combined pill, however, does cause some side effects such as mood swings, weight gain, and skin problems.

The combined pill is taken for 21 days and then repeated after a 7-day break. A lot of women prefer the mini-pill as it is taken every day which aids compliance. Because it does not contain oestrogen, there are no increased risks of blood clots either (also suitable for women who are breastfeeding). It is important to note that it is less effective compared to the alternative type of pill and can cause irregular bleeding because there is no scheduled menstruation involved.

It can take as long as seven days for the pill to begin to take effect. If you are sexually active during this time, you should use another form of contraception as the effects of the medication won’t be present yet. 

Some of the other effects of hormonal birth control pills can sometimes be employed to counteract conditions like acne or abnormal bleeding. For these issues, the medication can take up to three or four months to show improvements. 

As the name “oral contraceptive pill” suggests, these forms of contraception are taken by mouth.  The typical way to take the medication is to swallow one per day over 21 days. Following this, you take a break for seven days. During this period, you will bleed in a similar manner to a period. Once the hiatus is over, you begin taking the pill daily once again. You need to take the medication at roughly the same time each day. 

If your timing is irregular, you can increase your risk of becoming pregnant. However, this isn’t the case for everyone. More tailored regimens exist whereby you may take shorter (or no) breaks. This method can help to reduce the incidence of side effects if you are experiencing severe issues because of the pill. Furthermore, you should always consult with a healthcare professional before taking the pill. 

Various kinds of pills exist, and these are produced by a plethora of pharmaceutical manufacturers, all containing numerous amounts of synthetic versions of female sex hormones (oestrogen/progestogen). However, if you use the safe and discreet service provided by Cloud Pharmacy you can have the contraceptive pill of your choice delivered straight to your door.

The most common contraceptive pill prescribed by doctors is the combined pill, which uses a combination of hormones to decrease the likelihood of pregnancy. However, some people opt for pills that use just one pregnancy-related hormone to reduce the side effects associated with the medication. 

Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill 

The combined pill contains man-made versions of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. These hormones are involved in the regulation of ovulation and the lining of the womb’s wall. Taking a combined dose of these hormones daily can disrupt the ovulation process and prevent eggs from being released and fertilisation. The Yasmin pill is an example of combined oral contraception. 

There are three kinds of combined pills that a doctor may prescribe you. Monophasic 21-day pills like Rigevidon are the most common, where each dose has the same amount of hormone. You take these each day for 21 days and then have a break for seven days. 

Phasic medication contains two or three sections of pills that contain different hormonal doses. These are taken in a similar way to monophasic pills, but they must be taken sequentially. The final kind of combined pill is everyday (ED) pills. There are 21 active pills in a pack and seven inactive ones. There are no breaks when taking this kind of medication, and they also need to be taken in the correct order. Instructions are included in the box. 

Progesterone Contraceptive

Also known as the mini pill, this form of oral contraception functions by thickening the mucus in the cervix. Progesterone contraceptive pills like Cerazette can prevent sperm from reaching the egg and fertilising it. Some forms of the progesterone contraceptive can also impede ovulation in those that take it. This form of oral contraception also needs to be taken daily.

This pill can be equally as effective as the combined pill if taken correctly. However, with ‘typical use’ the effectiveness is usually around 91% effective. Generally, this pill is prescribed to women who can’t take estrogen but it may also be prescribed if you have significant side effects with the combined pill.

Estrogen Contraceptive Pill

There is no estrogen-only contraceptive pill at present. Some people may be sensitive to estrogen when taking contraceptives, so there are forms of the pill with lower doses of the hormone. Estrogen has been linked to some of the common side effects associated with the medication. If you are worried about the hormone’s impact on your body, consider talking to your doctor about low-dose options. 

Missed Contraceptive Pill

If you have missed one pill in the pack or started a new box a day late, you should still be protected against pregnancy. If this happens, you should take the last pill that you missed, even if that means taking two pills on the same day. Then it would help if you carried on with your schedule as normal, taking the seven-day break or inactive pills as you usually would. 

Forgetting to take your contraception for 2 or more days could impact your protection against pregnancy. You should take the last pill that you missed, even if this means several pills at once. Leave any earlier missed pills and continue through the pack as usual. You should use additional contraception for the next seven days.

Changing Contraceptive Pill

Since side effects are not uncommon when taking contraceptive pills, you might experience temporary problems when you first start taking them. If you do not experience a drop-off in these after a few months of taking the medication or are unmanageable, you might need to change the pill. Talk to your GP about your options should this be the case.  

There are several advantages associated with the contraceptive pill. These include:

• A high efficacy (up to 99% if taken correctly)
• Less painful and more regular periods
• Lower chances of certain kinds of cancer
• Doesn’t disrupt sexual intercourse in the same way a condom might

However, there are also some downsides to the medication. As mentioned above, it can cause side effects in some women, including:

• Headaches
• Mood swings
• Nausea
• Increased blood pressure
• Doesn’t protect against sexually transmitted infections

Unfortunately, like a lot of prescribed medication, side effects are common. As mentioned above, the contraceptive pill can cause a number of side effects. However, they do vary from person to person so it’s important to weigh up the pros and cons before taking the pill; and always speak to your doctor beforehand. 

Here are some of the most significant issues some people face:

• Blood clots
• Weight gain
• Bleeding
• Migraines
• Acne

Blood Clots Contraceptive Pill

The estrogen in the combined contraceptive pill has been linked to a higher incidence of blood clots among women. While this is an infrequent side effect of the medication, you should consult with your doctor if you or your family have a history of blood clots. They may suggest a progesterone-only pill or one with a lower dose of estrogen. 

Contraceptive Pill and Weight Gain

Weight gain is one of the most commonly reported side effects among those who start taking the pill. However, there is little scientific evidence to back this up. Instead, the contraceptive pill can alter your body shape, fat storage, and water retention levels. This may contribute to the feeling of weight gain among women taking the medication. 

Bleeding on Contraceptive Pill

Taking hormonal treatments such as progesterone and estrogen can often disrupt regular period cycles. Some people may experience bleeding between periods, also known as breakthrough bleeding or spotting. This is a common side effect, but it will often clear up after three to four months of taking the medication. If the symptoms do not subside, then contact your GP to discuss your options. 

Contraceptive Pill Migraine

If you have a history of experiencing migraines, especially migraines with auras, then the combined pill may not be right for you. If your medical history shows this, you could increase your chances of stroke by taking estrogen. Those who experience migraines may be especially sensitive to hormonal swings caused by the pill (and particularly estrogen), so this is something you should discuss with your doctor before starting oral birth control. 

Contraceptive Pill and Acne

The hormones that are present in birth control pills may actually be beneficial if you suffer from acne. The pills can reduce the circulation of androgens in your bloodstream, decreasing sebum production. However, only the combined pill will have this effect.

For more information about side effects associated with common contraceptive pills, please read our blog article on Utovlan: Everything You Need to Know.

If you have considered your options and believe that the contraceptive pill might be the right choice for you, you may be wondering how effective it is. If appropriately taken (every day and in the correct order), contraceptive pills are around 99% effective. This means that each year, one in 100 women will get pregnant while taking the medication.