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THE COMBINED

PILL

Other names: the pill; combined oral contraceptive pill

WHAT IS THE COMBINED PILL?

The combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP), often called the combined pill or just ‘the pill’, is a tablet containing two hormones oestrogen and progestogen to prevent pregnancy.

The combined pill is to be taken every day, usually with a week off once a month (for a period). This is called the ‘pill free week’.

pill

OVERVIEW

EFFICACY

EFFICACY

91%

FREQUENCY

FREQUENCY

DAILY

EFFECT-ON-FERTILITY

EFFECT ON FERTILITY

UPON DISCONTINUATION OF USE, FERTILITY SHOULD RETURN TO NORMAL

BLOOD-CLOT-RISK

BLOOD CLOT RISK

INCREASED

HOW DOES THE COMBINED PILL WORK?

The combined pill contains two hormones – an oestrogen and a progesterone hormone. These hormones are released into the bloodstream and prevent pregnancy by:

Stopping the ovaries from releasing eggs.

Thickening the cervical mucus, which keeps the sperm from getting to the egg.

HOW EFFECTIVE IS THE COMBINED PILL AT PREVENTING PREGNANCY?

The combined pill works well at preventing pregnancy. However, its ability to prevent pregnancy largely depends on the person using it properly. Forgetting to take the pill or being ill with vomiting or diarrhoea can make the pill less effective.

Typically, the pill is 91% effective. This means that around 9 in 100 people using the combined pill will get pregnant in a year. With perfect use the pill is more than 99% effective. Fewer than 1 in 100 people will get pregnant in a year when using the combined pill correctly.

PERFECT USE*

99
%
+

Effective

Approximately 1 out of every 100 women in a year will experience an unintended pregnancy.

 

* Perfect use of a contraceptive method is when it is used correctly all the time.

TYPICAL USE*

91
%

Effective

Approximately 9 out of every 100 women in a year will experience an unintended pregnancy.

 

* Typical use is what generally happens in real life. It takes into account human error e.g. forgetting to take your pill.

WHAT IS THE PILL MADE OF?

The combined pill contains artificial versions of the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which are produced naturally in the ovaries. There are many different combined pills available which all have different types and doses of these two hormones.

  • Yes. The combined pill contains two hormones - a progestogen hormone and an oestrogen hormone are released throughout the entire body.

  • The combined pill is not suitable for everyone. To find out whether the pill is right for you, talk to a GP, nurse or pharmacist.

    The pill may not be right for you if you:

    • Are pregnant.
    • Smoke and are 35 or older.
    • Stopped smoking less than a year ago and are 35 or older.
    • Are very overweight.
    • Take certain medicines.
    • Have blood clots in a vein, for example in your leg or lungs.
    • Have had a stroke or have any other disease that narrows the arteries.
    • Have any close family members who have had a blood clot under the age of 45.
    • Have a heart abnormality or heart disease, including high blood pressure.
    • Suffer from severe migraines, especially with aura (warning symptoms).
    • Have breast cancer.
    • Have disease of the gallbladder or liver.
    • Have diabetes with complications or diabetes for the past 20 years.

PP-UN-WHC-GB-0298 July 2025