THE COMBINED PILL

The combined pill is usually just called the pill. It contains two hormones - oestrogen and progestogn.

These are similar to the natural hormones women produce in their ovaries.

If taken according to instructions it is 99% effective. This means that 1 women in 100 will get pregnant in a year.

If not taken according to instructions, more women will become pregnant.

The main way the pill works is:

• It stops your ovaries releasing an egg each month
• Thickens the mucus from your cervix and so makes it less easy for sperm to get through.
• Alters the lining of your womb.

Not everyone can use the combined pill and your doctor or nurse will need to ask about your own and your family’s medical history. Do mention any illness or operations you have had. If you have had any of the following, now or in the past, it may mean you cannot use the combined pill:

• thrombosis
• a heart abnormality or circulatory disease, including raised blood pressure
• very severe migraines or so called focal migraines
• breast cancer
• disease of the liver of gall bladder'diabetes
• unexplained bleeding from your vagina

you smoke and are 35 or older.