The combined pill

The combined pill contains two hormones, oestrogen and progestogen, and works by stopping your ovaries releasing an egg each month. It’s over 99% effective with perfect use and 91% with typical use.

Ways to take it

• 21-day pill: 21 active pills, then a 7-day break
• Everyday (ED) pill: active pills plus dummy pills, so you never stop
• Tailored regime: shorter, fewer or no breaks – ask a pharmacist or doctor

The bleed during the break is a withdrawal bleed, not a real period – so skipping it with a tailored regime isn’t harmful and can reduce headaches and bleeding-related symptoms.

Possible perks

• Can help acne
• Can help heavy or painful periods and PMS
• Can help endometriosis symptoms
• Lowers the risk of womb, ovarian and bowel cancer

Possible downsides

• Breakthrough bleeding in the first few months is common
• Some people get headaches, mood changes, nausea or sore breasts
• Can raise blood pressure in a small number of people
• Very small risk of blood clots – up to 1 in 1,000 users
• Slightly raised breast and cervical cancer risk, back to normal 10 years after stopping