Contraception: Combined Pill
7:22 pm in All Advice, Sexual Health by djtheropy
The combined pill is the more commonly used amongst teenage girls and it is commonly referred to as ‘the pill’. It contains 2 hormones, estrogen and progestogen. The pill has a 99% effectiveness.
There are 3 main types of pill and many different brands, you should discuss with your doctor which would be best for you.
About the pill
- You can be given the combined pill by a sexual health clinic or your local doctors.
- The pill is not suitable for everyone.
- The pill works by stopping your ovaries from releasing an egg.
- It also thickens the mucus from your cervix and thins the lining of the womb.
Advantages
- It does not interrupt you doing sex
- Can make your periods lighter and less painful
- Can help reduce acne
Dis-advantages
- Temp side-effects can include: headaches, nausea, breast tenderness and mood swings
- It can increase your blood pressure
- You are not protected against sexually transmitted diseases
- Unexpected vaginal bleeding is common
There are also some serious risks that should be discussed beforehand, these include: blood clots, venous thrombosis, arterial thrombosis, increase in risk of cervical cancer.
