How does it work?
- It contains the hormones estrogen and progestogen. These hormones stop you ovulating, thicken the mucus in the cervix (neck of the womb) to prevent sperm reaching the egg and thin the lining of the womb so that a fertilised egg can’t implant.
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There are many different pills and many different brands. The instructions for most pills advise you to take one tablet every day for 3 weeks and then have a 1 week break when you will get a bleed. However, you can choose to shorten this break to 4 days, or to miss it and not have a bleed. For options on how to take the pill, click here
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What’s good about it?
- It can make periods regular, lighter and less painful.
- Reduces the risk of cancer of the ovaries, uterus and colon.
- Fertility (ability to get pregnant) returns to normal when you stop taking it.
What might be the disadvantages?
- There is a very small risk of serious side effects such as blood clots, breast and cervical cancer.
- There may be temporary side effects such as headaches, breast tenderness or feeling sick.
- Missing pills, vomiting or diarrhoea can make it less effective: with typical use 9 in 100 women will become pregnant. If you have missed a pill or are late to start a pack, click here for more information as to what to do.
- You may get some irregular bleeding in the first few months.
- It’s important that you follow the instructions for use, or the pill won’t work effectively and you could become pregnant.
Where can I get it?
- You can get get it from your GP or local sexual health clinic.
For more detailed information about this method and also more information on which method to choose visit: