It is estimated that around 3.5m women take the contraceptive pill in the UK and it is still considered the most effective form of contraception for preventing pregnancy, being almost 100% effective if taken correctly. There are two forms of pill available to women: the combined pill and the mini pill, both of which contain synthetic hormones to control the ovulation process to prevent pregnancy.
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With over 30 types of pill on the market, there is a wealth of varieties available and seeing your GP or speaking to an online clinic will assist you in making the right choice for you.
Dr Hilary Jones is chief medical adviser to HealthExpress.co.uk here, he gives his advice on the most popular form – The Contraceptive Pill.
Myths & Facts
Earlier this month, I took to the streets of Soho to find out what the most common myths about the pill were. The most common belief amongst the people we spoke to was that the contraceptive pill causes weight gain, which is completely untrue. Short term bloating and water retention can sometimes be caused by the oestrogen in the combined pill, while the progestogen in both the combined and the mini pill can in some cases affect appetite, but there is no evidence to suggest that the hormones themselves cause physical weight gain.
Other suggested side effect put forward by the people of London were mood swings, skin issues and tiredness. It is normal for women to experience mild side effects when starting the pill for the first time, these tend to pass fairly quickly, and are simply a result of the body adapting to the synthetic hormones in the pill.
Another widely believed myth is that you must take a break from the pill once in a while, but research shows that the pill can be taken for up to 15 years or more without any increased risk to health. It is advisable, however, to occasionally review your contraceptive needs with your GP or an online clinic.
One concern which has been reported widely is the link between taking the combined pill and developing breast cancer, however most GPs would agree that the risks are minimal. Hormone therapies such as the contraceptive pill are considered a weak risk factor for developing breast cancer, along with having a poor diet and being overweight. Research shows that taking the pill can decrease risks of ovarian cancer, and the progestogen in both the combined and mini pill also helps to protect against womb cancer. Additionally, research also suggests that the pill can even protect against bowel cancer, lowering the risk by up to 20%, and there is only a very minimal risk of suffering a blood clot on the pill.
Beneficial facts about the pill, aside from the most obvious benefit of providing such reliable prevention of pregnancy, are that the combined variety can help to ease heavy and painful periods, calm premenstrual tension and help to clear up long-standing skin problems like acne. But one essential fact to remember is the contraceptive pill cannot protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) so it is highly advisable to use condoms as well to prevent any potential infection
What types of contraceptive pills are there and how do I take them?
There are two types of hormonal contraception – the combined pill, which has synthetic versions of both oestrogen and progestogen, and the progestogen only pill (POP), otherwise known at the mini pill, which contains no oestrogen.
The hormones present in these pills prevent pregnancy by preventing ovulation. They also thicken the mucus in the cervix, making it harder for sperm to reach the embryo, as well as thickening the womb lining which means that any sperm which do manage to penetrate the cervix will be far less receptive to the embryo.
The combined pill
The combined pill, also known as ‘the pill’, is to this day the most popular form of birth control in the UK. It contains both oestrogen and progestogen and is a very popular choice for women who are under the age of 35, healthy and non-smokers.
This pill is taken on a one a day basis for 21 days, followed by a seven day break. During your weeks break, you will have what is called a ‘withdrawal bleed’; this will mimic a natural period and after seven days you will start a new pill pack. It is vital to try and take each pill at a similar time each day to ensure maximum effectiveness. It is important that if a pill is missed or if you happen to suffer a bout of diarrhoea or vomiting, that you take extra care by using a condom for a week after as the pill’s strength will be weakened. It is also advisable to consult a GP if taking a course of medication such as antibiotics as these factors will all reduce the effectiveness of the pill, and increase your risk of getting pregnant.
There is plenty of choice available when it comes to the combined pill. Dianette, for example, is a preferential choice for women who have skin problems and suffer from hirsutism (excessive body hair growth) as the active ingredients help to reduce both ailments. Cilest, Microgynon and Marvelon are great choices for women who experience heavy and painful periods, or indeed illnesses such as endometriosis as these varieties can help to alleviate these symptoms, and Mercilon has a lower dosage of synthetic oestrogen, making it a perfect choice for women who are more sensitive to this hormone.
The Mini Pill
The mini pill, otherwise known as the progestogen-only pill (POP) contains no oestrogen. This makes it a very popular choice for women over 35, those who smoke, have high blood pressure or have experienced blood clots in the past, or are overweight.
The progestogen-only pill thickens the mucus in the cervix, which stops sperm reaching an egg. In can also stop ovulation, depending on the type of progestogen-only pill you take. Unlike the combined pill, which has a seven day break, this variety is taken every day, with no break between packs of pills. One stipulation is that it is taken at the same time every day, any more than three hours delay will make the pill ineffective.
As with the combined pill, if you suffer from diarrhoea or vomiting, extra precautions will need to be taken for a week after, such as condoms, as this weakens the effectiveness of the pill’s function. There are also some medications which can alter the pill’s effectiveness, so it is important to consult with a GP if are on any other regular medication.
Common forms of the progestogen-only pill include Cerazette - which is known to control painful menstrual cramps, and Noriday which is widely popular as it carries the least risk of any short term side effects.
Finding the right pill for you can take time, and it is not uncommon for women to have to try several varieties before they find one that suits them. A GP or reputable online such as HealthExpress will be able to provide you with expert medical advice from a registered doctor, who will be able to help you find the right pill for you.
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