Contraception Overview | Birth Control Methods, Help and ADvice

Brexit / COVID-19 update: Our services are running as normal.

Our Customer Service team

CallImmediate response

020 3322 1430Available 8:00 - 17:00
Monday - Friday

Our Customer Service agents

Live chatResponse in 45 seconds

Available 8:00 - 17:00
Monday - Friday

Our Customer Service team

EmailResponse within 5 hours

[email protected]Available 8:00 - 17:00
Monday - Friday

Dr. Sarah Donald

Email doctorResponse in 1 day

For medical questions.
Available 8:00 - 17:00
Monday - Friday

Online doctor and pharmacy

Home / Contraception

What are the differences?

	Combined pill	Mini pill (POP)	Contraceptive ring	Contraceptive patch
	Examples
Examples	Qlaira, Trinovum, Yasmin	Noriday, Cerazette, Cerelle	NuvaRing	Evra Patch
	Effectiveness
Effectiveness	> 99%	> 99%	> 99%	> 99%
	Use
Use	Once daily (some with a 7-day break)	Once daily (no break)	Once a month (with a 7-day break)	Once a week (with a 7-day break)
	How to take
How to take	Orally	Orally	Vaginally	Transdermally
	Ingredients
Ingredients	Oestrogen & progestogen	Progestogen	Oestrogen & progestogen	Oestrogen & progestogen
	Features
Features	Regulate periods Milder PMS symptoms Additional effects (some pills combat acne)	Suitable for most women (including those breastfeeding) Regulates PMS symptoms Safer alternative	Regulate periods Milder PMS symptoms Effective even with vomiting/diarrhoea	Regulate periods Milder PMS symptoms Easy application Effective even with vomiting/diarrhoea
	Side effects
Side effects	Headache Acne Nausea Fluid retention Weight changes	Spotting Irregular periods Menstrual flow changes Headache	Headache Acne Nausea Fluid retention Weight changes	Headache Acne Nausea Fluid retention Weight changes
	Who can take
Who can take	Pregnant Breastfeeding Suffer from migraine BMI ≥ 35 High blood pressure Older than 35 and smoke	Pregnant Breastfeeding Suffer from migraine BMI ≥ 35 High blood pressure Older than 35 and smoke	Pregnant Breastfeeding Suffer from migraine BMI ≥ 35 High blood pressure Older than 35 and smoke	Pregnant Breastfeeding Suffer from migraine BMI ≥ 35 High blood pressure Older than 35 and smoke