Contraception Comparison

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.

Dr Hilary Jones discusses different contraceptive methods

	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