Contraception Guides

Free, pharmacist-reviewed guides to help you understand your contraceptive pill.

Getting the Pill

Is the Contraceptive Pill Free?. Where to get free contraception in the UK and who is eligible.
How Do You Get the Pill in the UK?. Your options including GP, pharmacies, clinics, and online services.
Starting the Pill for the First Time. What happens at your consultation, when to take your first pill, and how long until you are protected.
How to Switch Contraceptive Pill. How to change between combined and mini pill safely, stay protected, and what to expect.

Which Contraceptive Pill Is Right for Me?. How your clinician decides, and which pill suits your body and lifestyle. Pillar guide.
What Is the Mini Pill?. How the progestogen-only pill works and who it's suitable for.
What Is the Combined Pill?. How the combined pill works, its benefits, and who can take it.
Combined Pill vs Mini Pill: Which Is Right for You?. A side-by-side comparison to help you decide which is right for you.
Cerelle vs Cerazette: What's the Difference?. A simple guide to why pharmacies switch between these desogestrel brands and what it means for you.
Microgynon 30: What You Need to Know. How Microgynon works, side effects, blood clot risk, and how to get it free on the NHS.
Cerelle: What You Need to Know. How Cerelle works, side effects, timing window, and how to get it free on the NHS.
Yasmin: What You Need to Know. How Yasmin works, drospirenone's benefits for acne and bloating, blood clot risk, and how to get it free.
Levest: What You Need to Know. How Levest works, side effects, equivalence to Microgynon and Rigevidon, and how to get it free.

What Are the Side Effects of the Pill?. What to expect when starting, stopping, or switching your pill.
Does the Mini Pill Cause Weight Gain?. What UK guidance says about the mini pill and weight, and when to review your contraception.
The Pill and Blood Clots: What Is the Actual Risk?. The real numbers, which pills carry the lowest risk, and when to choose the mini pill instead.
The Pill and Acne: Which Pills Help and Why. Which pills can help with acne, how long it takes, and whether the mini pill can make it worse.

What to Do If You Miss a Pill. Step-by-step guidance for all UK pill types. What counts as late and when you need extra precautions.
Missed Pill Tool. Answer a few questions and get personalised advice for your specific pill. Interactive tool based on FSRH guidelines.

All guides clinically reviewed by Usama Ali, MPharm (GPhC: 2224726).