Normally your ovary produces hormones that guide a complex set of steps. Each month these steps produce an egg (ovulation). If the egg is fertilised by a sperm you fall pregnant other wise you get a period about two weeks later. The pill consists of artificial hormones and sugar tablets. The artificial hormones effectively put the ovary to sleep. No eggs are produced, so pregnancy is not possible.

My pill was 6 hours late, what do I do?

Nothing! You can be up to 12 hours late before you need to worry.

What happens if I miss a pill for more than 12 hours?

Take the pill as soon as you realise you’re late. Use condoms until you’ve had at least 7 hormone pills in a row. If there are less than 7 hormone pills left in the packet, skip your sugar pills.

What might stop the pill from working?

Vomiting or diarrhoea as well as certain medications, such as some antibiotics may interfere with the pills activity. You should continue to take the pill, but seek advice as to how long you need to use condoms for.

How do I skip a period when taking the pill?

Instead of taking the sugar tablets, go straight to the hormone tablets of the next pack.

Is it safe to skip a period?

Yes. In fact, this is recommended for women with heavy and painful periods, or any unpleasant symptoms associated with their periods.

Does the pill cause cancer?

The good news is, your risk of cancer of the uterus or ovary is reduced, however there is a very tiny increase in the risk of breast cancer. There would need to be 10,000 young women taking the pill for an extra case of breast cancer each year.

Will the pill make me infertile?

No! In fact the pill give some protection against endometriosis symptoms, which may cause infertility.

Can I get the pill if I am under 16?

Yes. It is legal to prescribe the pill to young women, without their parents consent.

Do I need to take a break from the pill?

No. There is no evidence for any benefit in having a break from the pill.

What is emergency contraception?

If you have unprotected sex, for whatever reason any doctor can prescribe you emergency contraception. It is a strong dose of hormones that act to either stop ovulation or stop a fertilised egg sticking to the wall of the uterus.

How well does emergency contraception work?

Taking Emergency contraception after unprotected sex will reduce by 85%the number of pregnancies that would otherwise have occurred.

How soon do I have to take it?

The sooner the better! You actually have at least 72 hours, although it works best when taken quickly.

I f I take emergency contraception, but still fall pregnant can I keep the baby?

Yes. Emergency contraception is not thought to harm an early pregnancy.

Should I always use extra lubrication with condoms?

No. Only use them when things seem on the dry side and only ever use water based lube.

What is an IUD?

An IUD is a plastic stem either coated in copper or hormones. It is fitted into the womb by a doctor to prevent pregnancy.

Can a young women use an IUD for contraception?

Yes, although, they are usually not first choice. Firstly, they are more difficult to insert in women who haven’t had children. Secondly they are also more likely to be rejected by the womb and fall out. They also sometimes (rarely) may cause complication that could interfere with future fertility.

What is Implanon?

Implanon is a match stick sized contraceptive inserted under the skin of the upper arm. It slowly releases a hormone stopping pregnancy for up to 3 years.

What are the side effects of Implanon?

Irregular bleeding, ranging from no bleeding at all, to daily bleeding, is the commonest side effect. Acne and weight gain are also experienced by small numbers of women.

Can I have Implanon removed if I don’t like it?

Yes, it is a fairly simple procedure to remove it and things return to normal pretty quickly.

Is it bad for my body not to have a period when I’m using Implanon?

No, in fact it’s thought to be an advantage.

Can I get pregnant if I have sex during my period?

Yes, especially later during a period. Women who have short cycles are at higher risk.

Is withdrawal effective?

No, although some couples swear by it, this method of contraception will almost certainly let you down. Men frequently have small amounts of sperm leaking out before they cum. It only takes one to do the job.

Will the pill make me fat?

On average with the new low dose pills there is no weight gain. However as some women lose weight with the pill, others will balance this out by gaining weight.

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Last updated:24/01/2006
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