



The pill is over 99% effective if used correctly. thins the lining of the womb, so there is less chance of a fertilised egg implanting into the womb and being able to grow.thickens the mucus in the neck of the womb, so it is harder for sperm to penetrate the womb and reach an egg.The pill prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg each month (ovulation). How the combined pill works How it prevents pregnancy There may be a link between the pill and depression but evidence is mixed and further research is needed.The pill does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), so use a condom as well.The combined pill is not suitable if you are over 35 and smoke, or if you have certain medical conditions.There's a very low risk of serious side effects, such as blood clots and cervical cancer.There is no evidence that the pill will make you gain weight.Minor side effects include mood swings, nausea, breast tenderness and headaches – these usually settle down in a few months.If you have heavy periods or painful periods, PMS (premenstrual syndrome) or endometriosis the combined pill may help.

Check with your doctor if you're taking any other tablets. Some medicines may make the pill less effective.You could get pregnant if you do not do this, or if you miss a pill, or vomit or have severe diarrhoea. You need to take the pill at around the same time every day.Speak to a doctor or nurse about your options. You may be able to take some types of pill with no or shorter breaks (a tailored regime), which may reduce some side effects.You start taking the pill again after 7 days. The standard way to take the pill is to take 1 every day for 21 days, then have a break for 7 days, and during this week you have a bleed like a period.This means that fewer than 1 in 100 who use the combined pill as contraception will get pregnant in 1 year. When taken correctly, the pill is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.Kumar Sriskandan / Alamy Stock Photo *%26restriction%3D%26random%3D%26ispremium%3D1%26flip%3D0%26contributorqt%3D%26plgalleryno%3D%26plpublic%3D0%26viewaspublic%3D0%26isplcurate%3D0%26imageurl%3D%26saveQry%3D%26editorial%3D1%26t%3D0%26edoptin%3D At a glance: the combined pill
