This week’s special is the combined Pill. The pill is a contraceptive used by women which contains hormones that will stop pregnancy.
The combined Pill contains two hormones, oestrogen and progestogen. These are prosthetic versions of hormones that are naturally released from your ovaries. By taking the pill, the hormones stop your ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation) and can also stop the sperm reaching the egg or letting the egg implant itself in the womb lining.
In order for the combined Pill to work effectively, you must take one a day, every day, for 21 days. You then take a break for seven days and within that time you will have a period-type bleed, once the seven days is up you start to take the Pill again.
If used correctly, the combined Pill is more than 99 per cent effective in preventing pregnancy. Some of the things that can increase your chances of becoming pregnant whilst taking the combined Pill are:
- Skipping one of your Pills
- Not taking your Pill according to the instructions
- The pill not staying in your body for long enough to work, which is 2 hours or less (vomiting, diarrhoea)
- Taking other medications that make your pill less effective.
If you do vomit or have diarrhoea within two hours of taking your pill, than take another one immediately. So long as you aren’t sick or have diarrhoea again then you will still be protected against pregnancy.
Should you continue to be ill, then you should use other forms of Contraception of the combined Pill’s effectiveness will have been compromised.
When you’re no longer ill, start taking your pills again as normal but use extra Contraception, such as condoms, until after your seven day break.
It’s essential that you take your combined Pill at the same time every day on the correct days, otherwise you could be at risk of pregnancy.
The combined Pill stops you from ovulating, which means that you don’t have a real period. Instead you get a withdrawal bleed which are often much shorter and lighter than that of a real period.
The combined Pill is often recommended to women who suffer from heavy periods or period pain as it can reduce the flow and pain.
It can also be beneficial as it can help to prevent cancer of the ovary, womb and colon and also some pelvic infections.
As with all medications, the combined Pill isn’t suitable for everyone. Women over the age of 35 or women with certain medical conditions are advised not to take the combined Pill and your doctor will advise you on other contraceptive methods.
There are side effects involved with the combined Pill. The most common and low risk ones are mood swings, tenderness of the breasts and headaches. The more serious, but very rare, side effects are blood clots and cervical cancer.
There’s an old myth that the combined Pill will make you gain weight. There is no evidence that it is the pill that makes you gain weight, although it is thought to increase appetite.
Always remember to consult your doctor to find the best contraception for you and to read the instructions thoroughly before starting the combined Pill.
Use a condom with the combined Pill to stop the spread of STIs.
For more information, visit your GP or go to nhs.uk
Cara Mason @FemaleFirst_UK
by Cara Mason
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