What Is the Best Contraceptive Pill?
Reviewed by Usama Ali, MPharm (GPhC: 2224726). Last reviewed: July 2026.
There is no single best contraceptive pill for everyone. The right pill depends on your medical history, whether you can take oestrogen, and what matters most to you, such as help with acne, lighter periods, or a forgiving timing window. Levonorgestrel combined pills are usually offered first for their low blood clot risk, and desogestrel is the most common mini pill. A pharmacist helps you match a pill to your needs, free on the NHS.
Is there a best contraceptive pill?
There is no single best pill for everyone. It helps to think about your goal: help with acne, lighter or no periods, no oestrogen, or a forgiving timing window. The sections below match common goals to the pills that tend to suit them, and your pharmacist confirms what is safe for you.
| If your goal is... | Often suited to | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Help with acne | Combined pill (e.g. drospirenone or desogestrel) | Can lower androgen activity that drives oily skin |
| Lighter or no periods | Combined pill run back to back, or desogestrel/drospirenone mini pill | Withdrawal bleed can be skipped; mini pill often lightens or stops bleeding |
| Cannot take oestrogen | Mini pill (desogestrel or drospirenone) | No oestrogen, so fewer contraindications |
| Lowest blood clot risk (combined) | Levonorgestrel combined pill (Microgynon, Rigevidon, Levest) | Lowest clot risk among combined pills |
| Forgiving timing window | Desogestrel (12 hours) or Slynd (24 hours) | Longer window than traditional mini pills (3 hours) |
What is the best pill for acne?
For acne, a combined pill is usually the type that can help, because the oestrogen lowers the effect of androgens. Pills with drospirenone (such as Yasmin) or desogestrel are often chosen when acne is a factor. The pill is not licensed purely as an acne treatment, so a pharmacist supplies it as contraception that may also improve your skin over 2 to 3 months. The mini pill does not tend to help acne. See the pill and acne.
What is the best pill to stop or skip periods?
To skip periods, the combined pill is the most predictable option: run packs back to back and skip the 7 day break, which FSRH guidance supports. On the mini pill, periods often lighten or stop, but less predictably. If stopping periods matters most and you can take oestrogen, the combined pill gives more control. See does the pill stop your period?
What is the best pill if you cannot take oestrogen?
If you cannot take oestrogen, the mini pill is the answer, as it is progestogen only. This applies if you are breastfeeding, have migraines with aura, smoke and are over 35, have a raised BMI or blood pressure, or have a history of blood clots. The most common is desogestrel (Cerelle, Cerazette), with a 12 hour window; Slynd (drospirenone) has a 24 hour window and may help acne. See what is the mini pill?
What is the best combined pill?
Levonorgestrel combined pills, such as Microgynon, Rigevidon, and Levest, are usually offered first because they carry the lowest blood clot risk among combined pills. Pills with drospirenone or desogestrel carry a slightly higher clot risk but may be chosen for other reasons, such as help with acne. All are equally effective at preventing pregnancy. See what is the combined pill?
Which contraceptive pill is safest?
On blood clot risk, the mini pill is safest as it carries no increased risk. Among combined pills, levonorgestrel types carry the lowest risk. For context, the risk of a clot in pregnancy is higher than on any pill (about 29 per 10,000 versus 5 to 12 per 10,000 on combined pills). Every pill supplied on the NHS is safe once a pharmacist has confirmed it is suitable for you. See the pill and blood clots.
How do you actually choose?
You do not need to decide before you book. Answer a few questions about your health and what you want from the pill, and let a pharmacist recommend a suitable option. For a structured walk-through by medical history, read which contraceptive pill is right for me? Or with Contraception Direct, book a free phone consultation and your pill is posted discreetly within 1 to 3 working days.
Frequently asked questions
- Is there a single best contraceptive pill?
- No. There is no single best pill for everyone. The right pill depends on your medical history, whether you can take oestrogen, and what matters most to you, such as help with acne, lighter periods, or a forgiving timing window. A pharmacist helps you match a pill to your needs.
- What is the best pill for acne?
- Combined pills can help acne by lowering the effect of androgens, and those containing drospirenone (such as Yasmin) or desogestrel are often chosen when acne is a factor. The pill is not licensed purely as an acne treatment, so a pharmacist prescribes it as contraception that may also help your skin.
- What is the best mini pill?
- The most commonly used mini pill contains desogestrel (Cerelle, Cerazette), which has a forgiving 12 hour window and stops ovulation in most cycles. Slynd (drospirenone) has a 24 hour window and may help acne. There is no single best; your pharmacist helps you choose.
- What is the best combined pill?
- Levonorgestrel combined pills (Microgynon, Rigevidon, Levest) are usually offered first because they carry the lowest blood clot risk among combined pills. Pills with drospirenone or desogestrel may be chosen for other reasons, such as help with acne.
- What is the best pill to stop or skip periods?
- The combined pill lets you skip periods by running packs back to back, which FSRH guidance supports. On the desogestrel or drospirenone mini pill, periods often become lighter or stop (about 1 in 5 people). The best choice depends on whether you can take oestrogen.
- What is the best pill for teenagers?
- The same pills are available at any age, and the choice is based on eligibility and preference rather than age. Contraception is free and confidential at any age. A pharmacist or clinician assesses suitability, and the combined or mini pill can both be appropriate.
- Which contraceptive pill is safest?
- The mini pill carries no increased risk of blood clots, so it is often preferred where clot risk is a concern. Among combined pills, levonorgestrel types carry the lowest clot risk. Every pill supplied on the NHS is safe when a pharmacist has confirmed it is suitable for you.
References
- NHS. Which method of contraception suits me?
- FSRH. Combined Hormonal Contraception Clinical Guideline, 2023 (amended 2024).
- FSRH. Progestogen-only Pills Clinical Guideline, 2022 (amended 2023).