Contraception

The Pill

NUPAS > Abortion Care > Contraception > The Pill

Contraceptive Pills

Short-acting contraception with hormones

There are two kinds of contraceptive pill:

  • Combined Pill (often called the pill)
  • Progestogen-Only Pill (often called the POP or mini pill)

The combined pill contains two hormones called oestrogen and progestogen. The progestogen-only pill contains one hormone called progestogen.

Combined Pill

The combined pill is commonly known as the pill. It’s a small tablet containing hormones called oestrogen and progestogen. These are like the natural hormones made in the body. The pill is taken every day. People usually take a week off from taking the pill each month to have a period. You can take the pill continuously without a break. You don’t need to take the combined pill at the same time every day (but you do with the progesterone only pill).

There are different brands of the pill available. Some brands might suit you better than others. If one brand is causing some side effects, it may be worth trying another brand.

How does the pill work?

The combined pill stops your ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulating) each month. It thickens the cervical mucus (fluid around the neck of the womb). This stops sperm getting to an egg. It also makes the lining of the womb thinner, so that a fertilised egg won't attach and grow.

When can I start using the pill?

You can start using the pill straight away after an abortion. You will be protected from pregnancy immediately.

If you start the pill more than 5 days after an abortion, you will need to use additional contraception until you have taken the pill for 7 days.

Advantages, Disadvantages and Effectiveness

All contraception has different advantages, disadvantages and effectiveness. It is important to look at this when finding the right contraception for you.

What are the advantages of the injection?

Does not interrupt sex

Usually makes periods lighter

Helps to make periods less painful.

Helps to control your period to know when it will start

May help with premenstrual symptoms

May improve acne

May reduce the risk of fibroids, ovarian cysts and non-cancerous breast disease

Reduces the risk of ovarian, womb and bowel cancer

Can help treat symptoms of endometriosis, PCOS and menopause

What are the disadvantages of the injection?

Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

It can be difficult to remember to take it

What are the risks of taking the pill?

Possible temporary side effects when first starting the pill are:

  • Feeling sick (nausea)
  • Sore breasts
  • Bleeding in between periods (spotting)

If these symptoms persist you may want to choose a different brand of pill to try that might suit you better.

Other possible side effects include feeling more hungry than usual. The pill can also cause changes in mood or sex drive.

In extremely rare risk of the pill is blood clots in the legs or lungs (5-12 in 10,000). Contraception clinics will check your medical history to see if this risk could affect you.

Research suggests that the pill may cause an increase in the risk of breast cancer and cervical cancer. This risk reduces after 10 years once you stop taking the pill.

For most people, the benefits of using the pill outweigh the risks.

How effective is the pill?

The pill is more than 99% effective with perfect use. Less than 1 in 100 people will have an unplanned pregnancy in a year. But, with typical use the pill is around 91% effective. Around 9 in 100 people will become pregnant in a year.

What makes it less effective?

  • Not taking it correctly.
  • Being sick (vomiting) less than 3 hours after taking it.
  • Severe diarrhoea.
  • Some prescription and complementary medicines.

If any of these things happen, you can get advice on emergency contraception to prevent an unintended pregnancy.

Find out more about emergency contraception here.

Progestogen-Only Pill (POP)

The progestogen-only pill is also known as POP or the mini pill. It is a small tablet containing a hormone called progestogen. This is like the natural progesterone hormone that is made in the ovaries. One pill is taken every day without breaks.

There are different brands of POP available. Some brands might suit you better than others. If one brand is causing some side effects, it may be worth trying another brand.

The progestogen-only pill can now be sold by a pharmacist without a prescription. It will continue to be available for free from GPs and sexual and reproductive health services.

How does the POP / mini pill work?

Different types of POP work in slightly different ways. Some types of POP temporarily stop your ovaries releasing an egg (ovulation). This means that your periods may come less often or stop temporarily.

All types of POP thicken the cervical mucus (fluid around the neck of the womb). This stops sperm getting to an egg. It also makes the lining of the womb thinner, so that a fertilised egg won't attach and grow.

When can I start using the POP?

You can start using the progestogen-only pill straight away after an abortion. You will be protected from pregnancy immediately.

If you start the POP more than 5 days after an abortion, you will need to use additional contraception until you have taken the POP for 2 days.

Advantages, Disadvantages and Effectiveness

All contraception has different advantages, disadvantages and effectiveness. It is important to look at this when finding the right contraception for you.

What are the advantages of the POP?

Does not interrupt sex

Can often be taken by people who cannot take oestrogen, which is in the combined pill

Can be used when breastfeeding

Can be used at any age and is safe to take continuously (for most people)

It can help with heavy or painful periods and premenstrual symptoms

What are the disadvantages of the POP?

Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Periods may become irregular

It can be difficult to take at the same time every day

What are the risks of taking the POP?

Possible side effects of using the POP for the first few months include:

  • Irregular bleeding
  • Headaches
  • Sore breasts
  • Acne
  • Changes in mood
  • Changes in sex drive
  • Cysts (small sacks filled with fluid) on your ovaries. These are usually harmless and disappear without treatment

How effective is the POP?

The POP is more than 99% effective with perfect use. Less than 1 in 100 people will become pregnant in a year. But, with typical use the POP is around 91% effective. Around 9 in 100 people will become pregnant in a year.

What makes it less effective?

  • Not taking it at roughly the same time every day.
  • Being sick (vomiting) less than 3 hours after taking it.
  • Severe diarrhoea.
  • Some prescription and complementary medicines.

If any of these things happen, you can get advice on emergency contraception to prevent an unintended pregnancy.

Find out more about emergency contraception here.

Protection from STIs

The progestogen-only pill and combined pill do not protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We recommend that you also use condoms to protect against STIs. We offer all our patients condoms to take away with them. Get in touch if you’d like advice on the different contraception options after an abortion.

Contraception options available at NUPAS

At your abortion appointment, we will discuss contraception options with you.

Fertility can come back as soon 5 days after an abortion. This means you could get pregnant again if contraception is not used. There are lots of methods of contraception to choose from so don’t be put off if the first type isn’t quite right for you.

Find out more about contraception options available at NUPAS.

Get in touch with NUPAS

Give us a call:

United Kingdom:
0333 004 6666

Republic of Ireland:
(01) 874 0097

Overseas:
0044 161 4872660

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