There are a wide range of hormonal contraceptives that provide effective contraceptive cover. The below table allows you to get an overview of contraceptives available so that it's more likely that you'll find one that is most suitable for your body and lifestyle, with a minimum risk of side effects.
Are you are having trouble knowing which contraceptive method to choose from? Why not use the 'My Contraception Tool' to find out which contraceptive method is the right one for you.
Combined pill | Mini-pill | Contraceptive ring | Contraceptive patch | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Examples | Yasmin, Dianette & Microgynon | Micronor, Noriday & Cerazette | NuvaRing | Evra |
Effectiveness | > 99% | < 99% | > 99% | >99% |
Use | Once a day for 21 days with seven day break | Used everyday for 28 days with no break | Once a month, followed by a seven day break | Once a week followed by a seven-day break |
How it's administered | Orally (Tablets swallowed with water) | Orally (Tablets swallowed with water) | Vaginally (Inserted into vagina) | Transdermally (Applied to skin) |
Ingredients | Oestrogen and progestogen | Progestogen | Oestrogen & progestogen | Oestrogen & progestogen |
Main Benefits | - Contraception - Can help regulate periods and help minimise the severity of PMS symptoms |
- Contraception - Can minimise the severity of PMS symptoms - Can be taken by most women who can't take the combined pill |
- Contraception - Can help regulate periods - Can help minimise the severity of PMS symptoms |
- Contraception - Can help regulate periods - Can help minimise the severity of PMS symptoms |
Main side effects | Headache, breast tenderness, changes in menstrual bleeding, migraines, unwanted hair growth |
Spotting, irregular periods, changes in menstrual bleeding, unwanted hair growth |
Headache, breast tenderness, changes in menstrual bleeding, migraines, unwanted hair growth |
Headache, breast tenderness, changes in menstrual bleeding, migraines |
Who shouldn't take it | Pregnant women, breastfeeding women, migraine sufferers, women who weigh over 14 stone, women with high blood pressure, women using other contraceptives |
Pregnant, women who weigh over 14 stone, women using other contraceptives |
Pregnant women, breastfeeding women, migraine sufferers, women who weigh over 14 stone, women with high blood pressure, women using other contraceptives |
Pregnant women, breastfeeding women, migraine sufferers, women using other contraceptives |
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