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.

1. Contraception: Progestogen Only Pill -Also known as POP, the progestogen only pill (as the name suggest) contains the hormone progestogen which is similar to the progesterone which is produced naturally by women. There are different types of POP available, some which contain different progestogens. They are different from the combined pill because they do not contains estrogen. This pill is over 99% effective....
2. Contraception: Contraceptive Patch -The patch is a small, skin coloured patch that you stick to your skin and is around 5x5cm in size. The patch releases 2 hormones estrogen and progestogen. These are very similar to the natural hormones that female bodies produce.The UK version of the patch is known as evra....
3. Contraception: Vaginal Ring -The contraceptive vaginal ring is a small, flexible piece of plastic, that if you have not already guessed is shaped like a ring and is around about 5x5cm in size. The ring is placed inside the vagina where it releases 2 hormones, estrogen and progestogen. These are similar to the natural hormones that women produce....
4. Contraception: Contraceptive Implant -The implant is a small flexible rod that is inserted into the skin in your upper arm. It releases a progestogen hormone that is similar to the natural protesterone hormone that women release. The contraceptive implant can last for upto 3 years and is over 99% effective....
5. Contraception: IUS -An IUS is a small piece of plastic that releases a hormone called progestogen, this hormone is similar to the natural one that women normally produce. The IUS is t-shaped and will be fitted by a trained doctor or nurse, they will put it into your uterus. ...