Treatments

Contraceptive Pill

A range of hormonal contraceptives are available. Please choose the contraceptive you regularly take from the list below and complete the health questionnaire.

Overview

Oral contraception, also known as ‘the pill’ is a tablet taken by women to prevent pregnancy. There are many different types of the pill, which use synthetic hormones, such as oestrogen and progesterone to prevent pregnancy. This can be in 1 of 3 ways:

They stop ovulation, so an egg is not released from the ovaries.
They thicken a woman’s cervical mucus, making it harder for the sperm to reach the egg.
They make a woman's womb inhospitable to stop a fertilised egg from attaching to the lining of the uterus.

Side effects of oral contraception

Side effects can often occur with oral contraception, but most of the time these effects are mild and go away with continued use of the pill. Common side effects include:

  • Nausea
  • Weight gain
  • Sore, swollen breasts
  • Spotting between periods

With more severe side effects, you should stop taking the pill and consult your doctor. These include:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Severe headaches
  • Blurry vision
  • Swelling or aching in the legs

Choosing the best contraceptive pill

Oral contraception is prescribed by your doctor. Deciding on which contraceptive pill you should take should be a joint decision between you and your doctor. You should disclose your full medical history to ensure that you get a suitable pill. Different contraceptive pills are suitable for different situations, so you should never start taking a contraceptive pill without the advice of your doctor.


Contraceptive pill general information

Oral contraceptive pills are normally taken once daily at the same time each day. For the pill to have maximum effect, it must be taken at the same time each day. This is particularly important for certain contraceptive pills, which must be taken in a 3 hour window for them to be effective at all.

Most contraceptive pills involve a 21 day period of taking the pill, followed by a 7 day break. Whereas others are taken continuously.

You should never take a contraceptive pill that has not been prescribed for you by your doctor, and you must have a pill review at least once a year, which includes a blood pressure test.

Here at Ashcroft Pharmacy, we are able to supply repeat oral contraception to women that have had the same contraception previously prescribed for them.


Types of oral contraception

There are 5 types of oral contraception:

  1. Monophasic 21-day contraceptive pills - They contain oestrogen and progesterone. They are taken for 21 days followed by a 7 day break, then the cycle starts again.
  2. Monophasic 28-day preparations - They contain oestrogen and progesterone. They are taken continuously. The first 21 days will be an ‘active’ pill, and the last 7 days are ‘inactive’ pills. You will take tablets for 28 days, then you should start a new pack for another 28 days.
  3. Phasic 21 day preparations - They contain oestrogen and progesterone. They are taken for 21 days followed by a 7 day break, then the cycle starts again. These contain different levels of each hormone depending on which day's pill you are taking.
  4. Phasic 28-day preparations - They contain oestrogen and progesterone. They are taken continuously. The first 21 days will be an ‘active’ pill, and the last 7 days are ‘inactive’ pills. You will take tablets for 28 days, then you should start a new pack for another 28 days.These contain different levels of each hormone depending on which day's pill you are taking.
  5. Progesterone-only pill - They contain progesterone only. These pills must be taken continuously everyday at the same time within a 3 hour window each day. Each pack contains 28 tablets, and each new pack should be taken back to back.

Alternative medication

There are many different types of contraception available other than the contraceptive pill. These include:

  • The implant
  • A progesterone only injection
  • Contraceptive patches
  • Inter-uterine Devices (IUD)
  • Vaginal rings
  • Condoms
  • Dams
  • Caps

FAQ

  • How effective is the pill?

    The combined pill (contains oestrogen and progesterone) is 99.9% effective when taken correctly. The progesterone only pill is 95% effective when taken correctly.

  • What are the benefits of oral contraception?

    Benefits include:

    • Easy and convenient contraceptive method.
    • Highly effective in preventing pregnancy.
    • Lighter periods and also less cramping, bloating, and irritability that are often associated with normal menstruation.
    • Does not interfere with sexual intercourse.
    • May provide some protection from pelvic inflammatory disease which, if left untreated, can lead to infertility.
    • Clear up hormonal acne.

  • What other contraceptive choices are there?

    There are many different types of contraception available other than the contraceptive pill. These include:

    • The implant
    • A progesterone only injection
    • Contraceptive patches
    • Inter-uterine Devices (IUD)
    • Vaginal rings
    • Condoms
    • Dams
    • Caps

  • If I am on the pill, does my partner need to use a condom?

    In terms of preventing pregnancy, a condom would not be required. However, condoms should be worn during sexual intercourse to protect against sexually transmitted diseases. Condoms are the only way to prevent transmission of STDs.

  • Who should not use the contraceptive pill?

    You should not take the contraceptive pill if:

    • You have a history of blood clots
    • You have ever had breast cancer
    • You are pregnant
    • You have a history of heart problems
    • You may also potentially have to avoid oral contraception if you smoke, due to the risk of developing a blood clot.

  • Does the pill prevent STDs?

    No. Only condoms prevent STDs. You are still susceptible to STDs if you are having sex without a condom whilst taking the pill.

  • Do I need to take emergency contraception if I have sex when I have forgotten to take my pill?

    This will depend on:

    • the type of contraceptive pill you are taking
    • how many pills you have missed
    • what stage of your cycle you are currently in

    Emergency contraception may not always be necessary in this case.

  • Do I need to take the pill at the same time every day?

    For combined contraceptive pills it does not matter at what time you take the pill, although you should aim to do this at a regular time every day, and missing one pill will not necessarily mean you are not covered.

    For progesterone only (mini pills), they need to be taken at the same time each day or within 3 hours of that time (12 hours for Cerazette). Missing a tablet or not taking it at the right time may lead to bleeding or lack of contraceptive cover.

  • Is it safe to stay on the pill for long periods of time?

    Yes, for certain people. Medical evidence suggests that in women who don’t smoke, do not have high blood pressure and are not overweight, it is perfectly safe to continue taking the contraceptive pill up until they are 45.

Cerazette

Medication Ashcroft Pharmacy
75mg x1 £18.85
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Cerelle

Medication Ashcroft Pharmacy
75mg x84 £12.99
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Desogestrel

Medication Ashcroft Pharmacy
75mg x84 £11.99
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Dianette

Medication Ashcroft Pharmacy
3x21 Tablets £17.95
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Femodene ED

Medication Ashcroft Pharmacy
3x28 Tablets £15.85
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Femodene

Medication Ashcroft Pharmacy
3x21 Tablets £12.85
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Femodette

Medication Ashcroft Pharmacy
3x21 Tablets £15.85
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Loestrin 20

Medication Ashcroft Pharmacy
3x21 Tablets £13.85
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Logynon ED

Medication Ashcroft Pharmacy
3x28 Tablets £13.85
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Logynon

Medication Ashcroft Pharmacy
3x21 Tablets £13.85
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Marvelon

Medication Ashcroft Pharmacy
3x21 Tablets £12.85
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Mercilon

Medication Ashcroft Pharmacy
3x21 Tablets £16.85
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Microgynon 30ED

Medication Ashcroft Pharmacy
3x28 Tablets £12.85
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Microgynon 30

Medication Ashcroft Pharmacy
3x21 Tablets £12.85
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Yasmin

Medication Ashcroft Pharmacy
3x21 Tablets £23.85
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