Contraception - Combined Pill

"The Pill"

Two hormones, Oestrogen and Progestogen
99% effective if taken correctly (see below).

How does it work?

The two hormones are slowly released to prevent ovulation and thickens the mucus at the neck of the uterus (womb) to prevent sperm meeting the egg.

Will it be suitable for me?

Not suitable for everyone and the doctor or nurse will have to find out if your own or family’s medical history is compatible with taking the pill.

Where can I get “The Pill” from?

Your own GP, Family Planning Service, Young Peoples’ Health Centre
Click here for services in Bolton.

What are the risks of “The Pill”?

Very rarely the pill can cause a blood clot, which can block a vein (Venous Thrombosis) or an artery (Heart Attack or Stroke). If in the past you have a history of thrombosis you should not use the combined pill, as you have an increase risk of venous thrombosis. You are also are risk if you are overweight, immobile or use a wheelchair, or smoke. A member of your immediate family has had a venous thrombosis. The risk of heart attack or stroke is greater if you smoke, high blood pressure, overweight or a member of your immediate family had a heat attack or stroke before the age of 45 years.

Taking the combined pill can have an increase risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer. This risk disappears after 10 years of stopping pill.

What are the minor side effects of the pill?

• At beginning you may experience headaches, weight gain or loss, nausea, breast tenderness, bleeding between periods, mood changes – this should disappear within 3 months.
• The Pill may increase your blood pressure
• It does not protect you against sexually transmitted infections; you will need to use condoms as well

You need urgent medical advice if you are taking the combined pill

• If you develop a sharp pain in the chest when you breathe in
• Breathlessness or if you cough up blood
• Painful swelling leg
• Numbness in arm or leg
• Severe Stomach Pains
• Collapse
• Unusual headaches or migraine
• Sudden problems with speech or eyesight

Combined Pills are divided into 3 types

• 21-day pills – you take daily for 21 days, then a 7-day break
• Bi- Phasic Pills, Tri-Phasic – have different doses in each does in each section for 21 days then 7-day break
• Everyday Pills – You take the pill daily for 28 days (7 of these pill are inactive)

Instructions for 21 Day Pills

Start taking the pill on the first day of your period. You will be protected from Day 1. If you start after day 1 of your period you will need to take extra precautions for 7 days, a condom will need to be used for 7 days. The Pill must be taken the same time every day for 21 days, stop for 7 days. During your 7-day break you should have a bleed. If you have taken your pills correctly you are protected during this 7-day break. After your 7-day break you need to restart the next packet on your 8th day.

If your miss your pill at your usual time, but take it less than 12 hours late, you do not need any extra precautions.

If you are over 12 hours late taking your pill, take the pill as soon as you remember and take extra precaution for the next 7 days. Note if you have not got 7 pills left in your current pack, do not have a 7-day break, finish current packet and go directly on to a new packet, missing your 7-day break.

Certain medications eg antibiotics, complementary medicine (St JohnÂ’s Wort) can affect how the pill works. If in doubt contact your clinic, doctor, or pharmacist. You will need to take extra precautions whist on medication that affects the pill and for 7 days afterwards. If you have less than 7 pills in your current packet, miss out your 7-day break, and start directly on your next packet.

If you are sick within 3 hours of taking the pill or if you have diarrhoea, continue taking the pill, you will need to take extra precautions whilst you are ill and for 7 days after sickness and diarrhoea have stopped, again if you do not 7 pills left in you packet, you need to miss out you 7 day break and go directly on to the next packet after finishing your current packet.

Instructions for Everyday Pills

It is important to take these pills in order, as 7 pills are inactive. Always start with the 1st pill from the red part of the packet. When you finish a packet you need to start the next packet the following day. With everyday pills when you start your 1st packet you need to take extra precautions for the first 14 days.

The combined pills do not protect you against sexually transmitted infections, so you will need to use condoms as well.