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- MENSTRUAL HEALTH
- CONTRACEPTION
- MENOPAUSE FAQSTALK MENOPAUSE
THE COMBINED
PILL
HOW DO I TAKE THE COMBINED PILL?
There are many different brands of combined pill. There are 3 main types and they are taken in slightly different ways:
- Monophasic 21-day pillsexpand_less
This is the most common type. Each pill has the same amount of hormone in it. One pill is taken each day for 21 days and then no pills are taken for the next 7 days. It does not matter what order you take the pills in as they are all the same. During the 7 pill free days you will get a bleed.
- Phasic 21-day pillsexpand_more
Phasic pills contain 2 or 3 sections of different coloured pills in a pack. Each section of pills contains a different amount of hormones. One pill is taken each day for 21 days and then no pills are taken for the next 7 days. Phasic pills must be taken in the right order. During the 7 pill free days you will get a bleed.
- Every day (ED) pillsexpand_more
There are 21 active pills and 7 inactive (dummy) pills in a pack. The two types of pill look different. One pill is taken each day for 28 days with no break between packets of pills. Every day pills need to be taken in the right order. Whilst you are taking the last 7 pills in the pack (dummy pills) you will get a bleed.
Follow the instructions that come with your packet and if you have any questions, ask a doctor, nurse or pharmacist. It's important to take the pills as instructed, because missing pills or taking them at the same time as certain medicines may make them less effective.
- HOW DO I GET THE COMBINED PILL?expand_less
The combined pill is prescribed to you by a doctor or nurse.
- WHERE CAN I GET THE COMBINED PILL?expand_more
Contraception is free to everyone through the NHS. You can get the combined pill at:
- GP surgeries
- Community contraception clinics
- Some genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics
- Sexual health clinics
- Some young people's services
PREPARING FOR YOUR GP APPOINTMENT
TALKING TO YOUR DOCTOR
Get the information you need for an informed discussion with your doctor.
PP-UN-WHC-GB-0298 July 2025