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oral contraceptive pill
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Oral contraception is used by 25 - 30% of couples in the UK. It is highly effective and in addition to preventing pregnancy, it may be used to manage irregular menstrual cycles and to ameliorate dysmenorrhoea. Preparations with low doses of oestrogen and relatively more progestogen may be used to manage endometriosis.
Factors to consider when choosing a preparation include:
- patient's age
- smoking habit
- pre-existing acne / hirsutism
- cost
Last edited 03/2021 and last reviewed 03/2021
Links:
- general contraindications to combined oral hormonal contraceptive
- general contraindications to the progesterone only contraceptive pill
- cautions relating use of combined oral contraceptive pill
- cautions to using the progestogen only contraceptive pill
- preparations
- non-contraceptive benefits
- oestrogen and progestogen effects of COC
- side effects
- complications of the combined oral contraceptive pill
- interaction with other medication
- oral contraceptive pill and lactation
- oral contraceptive (breakthrough bleeding whilst taking COC)
- first (1st) consultation and prescription of combined oral contraceptive (COC) pill
- criteria for excluding pregnancy if considering change in (or starting) contraception