oral contraceptive pill
Last edited 03/2021 and last reviewed 07/2023
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
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
oestrogen and progestogen effects of COC
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