Contraceptive Pills – FAQs about birth control

When birth control was launched in 1960 it was a huge step forward for reproductive rights, allowing people to have children by choice, not chance. In short: one little pill changed a whole lot.

60 years later, the pill is a popular method of birth control in the U.K. It is favoured by many for being convenient and easy to use

Illustration of a packet of Combined Contraceptive pills

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AS OF 2021, YOU CAN EVEN BUY SOME PROGESTOGEN – ONLY PILLS WITHOUT

a prescription

You simply need to answer some questions for a
pharmacist to check that the pill is suitable for you.

WE’VE ALL HEARD ABOUT THE PILL – MAYBE YOU ALREADY TAKE IT – BUT HOW MUCH DO YOU

really know about it?

Let’s consider some of the most frequently asked questions about the contraceptive pill.

What are the different types of contraceptive pills?

What are the different types of contraceptive pills?

Did you know that there are different contraceptive pills? We often talk about ‘the pill’ but there are actually two different types of birth control pills. They work differently, and can have different side effects.

They are the combined pill (CoC – combined oral contraceptive – because it contains both oestrogen and progesterone) and the progestogen only pill (PoP – or sometimes called the mini pill).

Pharmacist Deborah Evans* says: “It’s important to remember that neither contraceptive pill can protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) – only condoms can do that. So if you are having sex with someone new, or with multiple partners: use a condom to prevent against STIs.”

The Progestogen-Only Pill (PoP)

As the name suggests, the progestogen-only pill (PoP) contains a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone. This pill works by altering your cervical mucus, which makes it difficult for sperm to travel to the egg, and some PoPs also inhibit ovulation to maximise its efficacy.

The PoP – sometimes known as the mini pill – should be taken every single day at the same time without a break between packs.

Hana is a PoP available without prescription and is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly. It contains an ingredient called desogestrel that works to consistently prevent ovulation, as well as altering the cervical mucus. Hana is available to buy over the counter, meaning that you don’t have to wait for a doctor’s appointment.

What is Hana >

The Combined Pill (COC)

The combined pill contains both progestogen and oestrogen, and it works to consistently prevent ovulation. You generally take the combined pill every day for 21 days of your cycle, and then take a break, or inactive pills, for 7 days.

What type of pill is right for me?

What type of pill is right for me?

The two types of birth control pill are known to have different effects on different people. Sometimes your choice of contraceptive might come down to convenience and how it suits your lifestyle.

There can also be medical circumstances that mean a particular pill may not be suitable for you, for example if you are allergic to any of the ingredients. Deborah says: “the healthcare professional who supplies your pill will check that the medicine is suitable for you before giving it to you. One of the key things they will check is any allergies or medical conditions that could mean this – or any other – medication is not suitable for you.”

If you are taking any medications or antibiotics, you need to tell the person who is giving you the pill. Some medicines, herbal remedies or antibiotics can make birth control pills less effective.

You should speak to your pharmacist about the pill you would like to use and they will be able to advise you based on your medical circumstances.

Here are some key differences between the two types of contraceptive pill:

Some people can not use the combined pill for medical reasons, such as being over 35 years old and a smoker, or are very overweight. For those people, a progestogen only pill might be more suitable, as they do not contain oestrogen.
The combined pill cannot be used by women who are breastfeeding. The Progestogen only pill can be used when breastfeeding, depending on the individual.
With the POP periods may become irregular, some women experience spotting, or have less frequent or no periods at all.
The combined pill has to be prescribed to you by a doctor, whereas some PoPs – like Hana – can be bought over the counter, meaning that you don’t have to wait for a doctor’s appointment. You just need to complete a consultation with a pharmacist to see if Hana or another PoP is suitable for you.

What are the possible side effects of the pill?

What are the possible side effects of the pill?

Just like any medicines, contraceptive pills can have side effects. These will vary for different people, and not everyone experiences them.

Deborah Evans says: “it can take time for your body to get used to taking new medication and, although they can be irritating, side effects do often settle within a few months of starting a new pill.”

“Healthcare professionals recommend that a person sticks with their new pill for at least 3 months,” she continues, “to allow any side effects to settle down in that time. If they don’t, you could try a different type of pill, or an alternative contraceptive method.”

Here are the common side effects of each pill. If you experience a side effect that concerns you, you should seek advice from a healthcare professional.

PROGESTOGEN ONLY PILL’S COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

Altered mood, depressed mood
Headache
Nausea
Acne
Decreased sexual drive (libido)
Irregular or no periods
Breast pain
Increased body weight

COMBINED PILL’S COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

Abdominal pain
Mood changes
Headaches
Nausea
Breast pain
Weight changes
Breakthrough bleeding (bleeding at times other than your period)

For a full list of the side effects of Hana, read the package leaflet online here. If you get any side effects that concern you talk to your doctor or pharmacist. You can also report side effects via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or the MHRA Yellow Card app in Google Play or Apple App Store.

When should I start using the pill?

When should I start using the pill?

If you are already using a method of hormonal contraception, you should speak to a healthcare professional about switching to the pill. In most cases, you can start using the pill as soon as your previous method of contraception ends, or is removed (for example. the implant or the IUS).

If you are not already using a method of hormonal contraception, you should start using any contraceptive pill – PoP or the combined pill – on the first day of your period. If you start later in your cycle, you should use condoms as an additional precaution for the first week of taking your pill, as it will not be effective yet.

Can you buy contraceptive pills over the counter?

Can you buy contraceptive pills over the counter?

You can buy some progestogen only pills – like Hana – over the counter, or online, without a prescription. The pharmacist will need to ask you some questions to check that the pill is suitable for you.

Contraceptive pills are also available from your doctor or a sexual health clinic. Some can also be bought online using an online doctor service.

How should I take my pill?

How should I take my pill?

The PoP should be taken at the same time every day. There is no break in taking it – once every 24 hours, 365 days a year, at the same time of day.

The combined pill is designed around a 28-day menstrual cycle – this means that you generally take the pill at the same time each day for 21 days, then for 7 days you don’t take it (this is when you might have a withdrawal bleed). Once the 7 days are up, you start taking the pill for 21 days again. You are still protected from pregnancy across the 7 days you aren’t taking your pill.

You can also use everyday (ED) packs of the combined pill, where you don’t have to take a 7 day break, but 7 of the pills are inactive or ‘dummy’ pills.

It is very important that you remember to take your pill at the same time every day, without any break between packs .If you forget to take it one day, provided you remember within 12 hours (or 3 hours for some pills) there will be no impact on effectiveness. If you are over 12 hours late in remembering your pill this will count as a missed pill, and if you have sex in the 7 days after missing your pill you should use a condom as an extra precaution.

You should refer to the package leaflet of your pill for more information, and if you are still unsure consult a pharmacist or doctor.

How effective are different contraceptive pills?

How effective are different contraceptive pills?

The different contraceptive pills are equally effective. Both pills are more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy with perfect use, but that goes down to 91% with typical use (i.e. how most people use it).

Most importantly, the effectiveness of your pill depends on you remembering to take it at the same time each day.

We suggest choosing a time to take your pill that suits your lifestyle. So if you aren’t an early bird, don’t try to take it at 7am every morning! Set an alarm or reminder on your phone to remind you, and keep your pill somewhere prominent – like next to your toothbrush, or on your bedside table – to help you remember. Wherever you store your pill, make sure it is in line with the advice on how to store your medicine in your package leaflet.

When will my pill not be effective?

When will my pill not be effective?

If you vomit within 3-4 hours of taking your pill, it will not be effective and you should take another dose.

Deborah adds: “If you are continuously being sick or having diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, you should count each day of illness as a day you have missed your pill. You probably won’t feel like having sex while you’re ill, but you should use an extra precaution such as condoms for 7 days after the vomiting and/or diarrhoea stops.”

If you miss a pill, you should take it as soon as you remember, even if that means taking two pills in one day. If this is within 24 hours, you can continue using your pill as normal.

If you miss more than one dose of the pill, you should start taking it again as soon as you remember, and you should use condoms as an additional precaution for 7 days after you resume taking it. You should refer to the package leaflet of your pill for more information, and if you are still unsure consult a pharmacist or doctor. You can view the package leaflet for Hana online here.

I’m on the pill but I think I might be pregnant. What should I do?

I’m on the pill but I think I might be pregnant. What should I do?

No contraceptive is 100% effective, so if you think you might be pregnant, then the only way to know for sure is to take a pregnancy test. These can be accurate from 21 days after the unprotected sex took place, or from the first day of your missed period. Your pill won’t change the accuracy of the pregnancy test result.

If you are pregnant, you should stop taking your pill and speak to a healthcare professional as soon as possible. There is no evidence that using the pill before you knew you were pregnant will have any effect on the unborn baby.

What happens if I stop taking the pill?

What happens if I stop taking the pill?

Your fertility will return to normal very quickly after coming off the pill, so unless you want to start a family, you should use alternative contraceptive methods.

If you have any questions about coming off the pill, you should speak to a pharmacist or doctor who will be able to support and advise you.

GOT A QUESTION?

#AskHana or Hana-uk@hra-pharma.com

GOT A QUESTION?

Your fertility will return to normal very quickly after coming off the pill, so unless you want to start a family, you should use alternative contraceptive methods.

If you have any questions about coming off the pill, you should speak to a pharmacist or doctor who will be able to support and advise you.

We hope that all of this information will help you to make an informed and empowered decision about which pill you might
choose. You know your body best, and you should choose a contraception that makes you feel confident, happy and comfortable. Your pharmacist will be happy to help advise you on which pill is suitable for you.

If you want to find out more about Hana, try reading this article What is Hana.

Some people don’t choose the pill at all, preferring to use other birth control options. You can read more about methods of contraception here.

*Deborah Evans does not endorse any pharmaceutical brands or products

GOT A QUESTION? hana-uk@hra-pharma.com or #AskHana

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Hana® 75µg film-coated tablets contains desogestrel and is an oral contraception for women of child bearing age to prevent pregnancy. Always read the instructions on the package leaflet carefully.

ellaOne® 30mg film-coated tablet contains ulipristal acetate and is indicated for emergency contraception within 120 hours (5 days) of unprotected sexual intercourse or contraceptive failure. Always read the instructions on the package leaflet carefully.

Health information within this website is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with healthcare professionals. All decisions regarding individual care must be made with a healthcare professional considering the unique characteristics of the individual.

*To verify Hana click here**To verify ellaOne click here.

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Contraceptive Pills – FAQs about birth control

AS OF 2021, YOU CAN EVEN BUY SOME PROGESTOGEN – ONLY PILLS WITHOUT a prescription

WE’VE ALL HEARD ABOUT THE PILL – MAYBE YOU ALREADY TAKE IT – BUT HOW MUCH DO YOU really know about it?

Here are some key differences between the two types of contraceptive pill:

AS OF 2021, YOU CAN EVEN BUY SOME PROGESTOGEN – ONLY PILLS WITHOUT

a prescription

WE’VE ALL HEARD ABOUT THE PILL – MAYBE YOU ALREADY TAKE IT – BUT HOW MUCH DO YOU

really know about it?