How do I choose the right contraceptive pill for me?
As a simple rule, there is no “best” contraceptive pill. They all have different pros and cons, and what’s right for you will depend on your age, general health and lifestyle. The best course of action is learning about the different types of contraceptive pills, their benefits, and speaking to a doctor who can help guide you to finding the right contraceptive pill for you.
It’s also important to remember that you don’t need to stay on the same pill forever. If you start taking a particular pill, and find discomfort with any side effects or would like to change to a pill with different benefits, you can - with the proper guidance from a doctor.
With our contraceptive consultation service, our doctors can help make sure you’re on the best contraceptive for you. There’s no need to visit a GP in person, and we’ll deliver your pill straight to your door.
Whether you’re starting the contraceptive pill for the first time, not happy with your current contraception, or looking for a contraceptive that can do more than protect you from pregnancy, a contraceptive consultation is the fastest and safest way to do so.
Simply start a consultation, and we’ll guide you through the different types of contraceptives, explain their benefits, and ask you a few questions about your health and contraceptive needs. Our doctors will review your information to provide you with the most suitable pill for you.
Find the right pill for you
For just £5, you can make a more informed decision about your contraception with the help of a GMC-registered doctor. It’s fast, simple and there’s no need to book an appointment or leave your home to get your medication.
Alternatively, you can book a telephone consultation to speak to one of our doctors directly before getting your prescription.
Which contraceptive is best for my skin?
The best pill for hormonal acne is the combined pill. It can help to balance and regulate your hormone levels, preventing acne flare-ups.
Acne happens when the pores of your skin become clogged up with oil, dead skin, or bacteria. This sometimes happens because your skin produces too much sebum, an oily substance that helps protect the skin. It has been found that oestrogen can reduce the amount of sebum your skin produces, making the combined pill an effective treatment for acne.
Dianette is a combined pill that can be prescribed to women as a treatment for acne rather than as a contraceptive, but it does have a higher risk of blood clots than other pills. This means it’s not a recommended contraceptive pill. Yasmin and Lucette are safer alternatives that doctors may recommend for acne.
What is the best contraceptive pill for painful or heavy periods?
The contraceptive pill is often recommended as a treatment for painful or heavy periods. This is because the pill regulates and balances the hormones in your system, which cause heavy or painful periods.
Both the combined pill and the mini pill can help, but the combined pill is usually recommended as a first step due to the fact it regulates the oestrogen as well as the progesterone in your body.
A common side effect of the mini pill is spotting or irregular bleeding, which can mean it is not the best option for treating painful or heavy periods.
What's the best contraceptive pill for headaches?
Taking the combined pill can help balance the dips of oestrogen which can cause hormone (menstrual) headaches. All combined pills work the same way to balance your oestrogen levels so there is no specific recommendation.
If you get migraines with aura, the best pill for you is the mini pill. This is because the oestrogen in the combined pill increases your risk of ischaemic stroke.
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