Contraceptive pills

Today, women want to have full control of their sexuality and the freedom to choose when to have a baby without having to compromise is important. Over the years contraception medicines have gotten safer, more potent and convenient. Contraceptive pills prevent the release of the egg from the ovaries and change the environment of the womb making it impossible to get pregnant. An oral pill can now offer almost 100% protection and is the easiest form of contraception.

How does it work?

Once you take a contraceptive pill, it first prevents the ovaries to release the egg that month. Next it thickens the mucus, so that it becomes nearly impossible for the sperm to enter the womb and reach the egg. Furthermore, the lining of the womb is thinned so that there are no chances of the fertilized egg to implant into the womb and be able to grow.

Are contraceptive pills effective?

Contraceptive pills are 99% effective if taken properly. It is always better to be safe than be sorry even if your partner uses condoms. Sometimes as you grow older or have children, you may have to change your pills according to your needs.

How Can I Buy Contraceptive Pills Online?

Buying contraceptive pills online is easy, but it is important to choose a CQC and GPhC approved clinic dispensing medicines from NHS pharmacies.

Types of Contraceptive Pills

1. Combined contraceptive pill

In women, Oestrogen and Progesterone are normally produced in the ovaries. The combined contraceptive pill, better known as 'The Pill', contains both the female hormones. The pill can not only be taken to prevent pregnancy but can also be taken to combat heavy periods, painful periods, endometriosis and premenstrual syndrome.

The Combined contraceptive pill can further be classified into three types:

Monophonic 21-day pills – The most common type. This pill is taken every day for a period of 21 days and then stopped for seven days. Examples of these type of pills are Cilest and Microgynon.

Phasic 21-day pills – in each pack of phasic pills, there are three sections of different coloured pills. For 21 days one pill is taken and then stopped for seven days. There is an order in which the pills should be taken as each section contains different amount of hormones. Logynon and Binovum are two such phasic 21 day pills.

Every Day(ED) pills They contain two sections of different looking pills. 7 inactive pills and 21 active pills. One pill is taken everyday for 28 days as per the order. Microgynon ED is one such every day pill.

2. Progestogen-only contraceptive pill

Unlike the combined contraceptive pills which contain the synthetic version of both female hormones oestrogen and progesterone, the progestogen-only pill contains only the synthetic form of the progesterone hormone. This pill is the only choice for women who have problems with the combined contraceptive pills. There are 28 pills in the pack and should be taken everyday till 28 days of the menstrual cycle.

For different times of the day there are two types of progestogen-only contraceptive pill.

The 12-hour progestogen-only pill this pill should be taken everyday within 12 hours of the same time without fail. Cerazette is one such the 12-hour progestogen-only pill.

The 3-hour progestogen-only pill Micronor, Noriday, Norgeston and Femulen are examples of the 3-hour progestogen-only pill that should be taken everyday within 3 hours of the same time.

3. Emergency contraception

Emergency contraception can be used by women after having unprotected sex to avoid getting pregnant.

Emergency contraceptive pills are of two types:

Ella One: Ella One is one of the newer versions of the emergency contraceptive pill. After having unprotected sex, this pill can be taken within (120 hours) 5 days. Ella One is recommended for women above 18 and available only on prescription.

Levonelle: Levonelle is one of the more popular emergency contraception pill. It is taken within (72 hours) 3 days after having unprotected sex. This can be easily purchased from any pharmacy without any prescription. Women above 16 can take this pill.

Generally the pills are 96% effective in preventing pregnancy if it is taken within 24 hours but over the period of time there are chances of the effectiveness to reduce. It is recommended that the pills be taken without much delay. These emergency pills should not be consumed on regular basis.