Contraceptive Pill

What is the contraceptive pill?

The contraceptive pill contains artificial versions of oestrogen and progesterone, which are hormones that are naturally produced in a woman's ovaries. It works by preventing your ovaries from releasing an egg each month (ovulating); this means that your eggs cannot be fertilised by sperm.

It also works to thin the lining of the womb, meaning there is less chance of a fertilised egg implanted in the womb having the ability to grow. Furthermore, it thickens the mucus in the neck of the womb; this makes it harder for sperm to penetrate the womb and fertilise any egg that may have already been released.

It does not protect you against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), you will still need to use a condom for this form of protection.

How effective is the oral contraceptive pill?

To prevent pregnancy, the pill is over 99% effective when taken correctly.

Is the oral contraceptive pill safe?

The oral contraceptive pill is safe for most women. If you are over the age of 35 and smoke, you should not use any form of birth control that contains oestrogen. Progestin-only pills (the mini pill) are safer for smokers.

If you have any of the following conditions, you should not use combination pills:

• Blood clots, vein inflammation or an inherited blood-clotting disorder
• Bad diabetes
• Liver disease
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Breast cancer
• Heart attack, angina, stroke or any serious heart problem
• Migraine headaches with aura

Side effects

Like all contraception, the pill comes with the risk of certain side effects, although not everyone who takes it will experience them.

If you are concerned about side effects, you should discuss them with your doctor; be sure to read the patient information leaflet thoroughly before you start taking it.

Women have reported experiencing some side effects after starting birth control pills. Usually, any side effects resulting from starting the pill are temporary as your body adjusts to the hormones.

If you do suffer from any side effects, they should go away within a few months. Visit your GP for a review if your symptoms worry you or don’t go away. It may be that a different brand of pill will agree more with your body.

Side effects of the pill include:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Bloating
• Mood swings
• Sore or tender breasts
• A change to your sex drive
• Acne

Informing your GP

Make sure the doctor is aware if you are currently breastfeeding. Birth control pills can also interfere or become ineffective when taken alongside some medicines, such as St John’s wort or antibiotics. You may even have to use additional forms of contraception while taking a course of antibiotics. If you are unsure as to whether a new medication will affect your pill, speak to a doctor or a pharmacist. This will help them to recommend the safest form of contraception for you.

What treatments are available?

Our UK online pharmacy has a range of contraceptive pills available for you to order. If you place your order by 2pm, free next day delivery is also available.

Brevinor

The combined pill, to be administered as one tablet taken at the same time each day for 21 days. A seven-day gap should be taken between pack cycles. It can be ordered in packets of three to six months.

Cerazette

A progestogen-only pill, this should be taken as one pill per day at the same time. No break is needed in this form of contraceptive pill. The packs of pills are taken back to back. This can be ordered in three to six-month courses.

Cilest

A combined contraceptive pill which should be taken as one tablet per day at the same time. After a 21-day pack is finished, take a seven-day break before starting the next month. You can order Cilest in three-month courses.

Dianette

This brand is a combined pill. Take one tablet per day for 21 days. At the end of a pack wait seven days before beginning the next course. You can buy this birth control pill in courses of three months at a time.

If you would like to buy the contraceptive pill online, fill out a Medicine Direct health questionnaire here. This will be passed to one of our doctors, who will assess your symptoms and prescribe the right course of treatment for you.