Combined contraceptive pills, like Yasmin, Rigevidon, Lucette and Microgynon, contain two hormones: progestogen and oestrogen. They prevent you from releasing an egg (ovulating), which means you can’t get pregnant. You’ll need yearly blood pressure and BMI checks when taking this type of pill.

How you take it 
One pill a day and at the same time each day. With most combined pills, you take them for 21 days, followed by a 4 or 7-day break. During your break, you’ll probably have a withdrawal bleed. If you bleed heavily or painfully, have headaches or mood swings on pill-free days, you can skip the break.  

You can also take the pill: 

• Every day for 9 weeks, followed by a 4 or 7-break 
• Everyday continuously 
• Everyday for at least 21 days, followed by a 4 or 7-day break

Find out more. 

Possible side effects 
These vary, but you may find your blood pressure increases. So you'll need to get this checked either at home or in-store before you can take this type of pill. After that you’ll need these checked at least yearly. There’s also a slightly higher risk of blood clots. 

Low-dose pills, such as Gedarel, also contain progestogen and oestrogen – but less oestrogen than regular combined pills. This means some side effects are reduced.

How you take it
One pill a day and at the same time each day. With most low-dose combined pills, you take them for 21 days, followed by a 4 or 7-day break. During your break, you’ll probably have a withdrawal bleed. If you bleed heavily or painfully or have headaches or mood swings on pill-free days, you can skip the break. 

You can also take the pill:  

• Every day for 9 weeks, followed by a 4 or 7-break  
• Everyday continuously  
• Everyday for at least 21 days, followed by a 4 or 7-day break 

Find out more about taking the combined pill. 

Possible side effects
With a low-dose pill you’re more likely to experience irregular bleeding. Your blood pressure may also increase, so you'll need to have this checked before you take the pill, and at least once a year after that.  

Mini pills, like Cerazette and Cerelle (or the generic version Desogestrel), only contain the progestogen hormone. If you can’t take the combined pill, are overweight, or have had blood clots or high blood pressure, they could be a good option.

How you take it 
You take one a day. And it’s very important that it’s at the same time, every day. Unlike with combined pills, there’s no pill-free break.

Possible side effects
The most likely one is that you bleed irregularly, but this should settle down within three months of starting the pill. There’s no need for blood pressure or BMI checks with the mini pill. 

Like the combined pill, both the patch and the ring contain progestogen and oestrogen hormones – they’re just delivered into your body differently. 

How you use them
You wear the contraceptive patch (Evra) on your skin – anywhere clean, dry and not too hairy. It’s about 5cm square and you change it once a week. 

If you choose the vaginal ring (NuvaRing), you insert this into your vagina yourself. Don’t worry, it’s easy to do. You change it every 3 weeks, on the same day at the same time.

Normally, you use patches or rings for 21 days, then take a break for 4 or 7 days. But you can also use them: 

• For 9 weeks followed by a 4 or 7-day break 
• Continuously with no break 
• For at least 21 days, followed by a 4 or 7-day break

How reliable are they? 
Used properly, they’re 99% effective. Plus, they’re not affected by stomach upsets – and you don’t have to remember to take a pill each day!

Of course, there’s a risk the patch might come unstuck or the ring dislodged. So it’s best to check it regularly. If you replace it straight away, you should still be protected. 

Possible side effects 
Most women don’t get any – but headaches, skin irritation, nausea and tender breasts are the most common ones. There’s also a slightly higher risk of blood clots. 

Most types of hormonal contraceptives have them, and they vary from person to person. If you find a pill that doesn’t agree with you, try another. In the end, almost all women find a contraceptive that suits them. 

One possible side effect of the pill is raising your blood pressure. This can be dangerous. If you start to feel ill or get symptoms that worry you, such as: 

• Blurred vision 
• Nose bleeds 
• Dizziness 
• Chest pain 
• Headaches 
• Shortness of breath 

Please call NHS 111 or, if you think it’s urgent, go to your nearest A&E. 

You might forget to take your pill. Your patch might come off, or your ring is dislodged. What to do next depends on the contraceptive you’re using.  

Check the treatments information page on our site or the leaflet that came with it. Alternatively, message us from your Patient Record, or contact your GP or family planning or sexual health clinic.  

If you need emergency contraception, we can help with our morning-after pill service.  

If you're taking contraception like the pill, patch or ring, these don't stop you catching STIs. And you will still need to use condoms to protect yourself. You can order condoms online or get them from your local pharmacy or supermarket.  

If you've had unprotected sex, you might want to get an STI test. You can order at-home STI test kits from Online Doctor, we'll send the kit with everything you need to take the test and send it back to the lab for analysis. You'll usually get your results within three working days of the kit arriving in the lab.  

It's recommended that everyone gets tested at least every six months, or every time you have a new sexual partner.