Women’s Health 2427 2011

Oral Contraceptives
Oral contraceptives are tablets taken by women to prevent pregnancy. They can
be a very effective form of contraception, but do not protect against sexually
transmissible diseases. Oral contraceptives may also relieve period problems and
improve acne. Oral contraceptives must be prescribed by a doctor.

Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) contain • thickening the mucus in the cervix so
low doses of hormones similar to sperm cannot enter the uterus (womb)
the natural hormones that regulate a • changing the lining of the uterus
woman’s menstrual cycle. There are two (making it unsuitable for pregnancy).
main types of OCPs:
COCs can also be used to manage
• Combined oral contraceptives (COCs), period problems and improve acne.
which contain two types of hormones Some women can use COCs to manage
– an oestrogen and a progestogen pre-menstrual symptoms.
• Progestogen – only pills (POPs), which There are various types of the pill
contain only a progestogen. available in Australia, which contain
different amounts and types of
Combined Oral oestrogen and progestogen. These
differences don’t change how effective
Contraceptives – ‘the pill’
they are as contraceptives, but do lead
COCs contain an oestrogen and a to variations in health risks, side effects
progestogen. They prevent pregnancy by: and costs. Different COCs may also
• preventing ovulation (the release of have different effects on premenstrual
the egg from the ovary) symptoms, period problems and acne.

Self Care is a program of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.

Self Care is committed to providing current and reliable health information.
All COCs are taken once a day, but the bleeding. COCs may also reduce breast
number of tablets provided per 28 day milk production, so are not suitable for
cycle varies between products. Some breastfeeding mothers.
products provide 21 hormone tablets
Health risks of COCs
only, some provide 21 hormone tablets
and 7 inactive tablets, some provide COCs increase the risks of thrombosis
24 hormone tablets and 4 inactive (blood clots), heart attack, stroke, high
tablets, and one product provides blood pressure and cervical cancer, and
26 hormone tablets and 2 inactive may increase the risk of breast cancer.
tablets per 28 days. Ask your doctor or They may not be suitable for women
pharmacist for advice about the best with certain medical conditions (e.g.
COC product for you. cardiovascular disease, thrombosis, type
2 diabetes, liver disease, breast cancer,
Benefits of COCs
migraine), for women who smoke or for
For many women, benefits of taking the very overweight women.
pill may include:
Women who need surgery, or who will
• it can be up to 99.7% effective as a
be sitting or lying for a long time (e.g.
contraceptive if taken correctly
due to injury or travel) may need to stop
• it does not interfere with sex their COC. Ask a doctor or pharmacist
• regular, shorter, lighter and less painful for advice.
periods
Progesterone- only pills (POPs) –
• the timing of a period can be ‘the minipill’
controlled
POPs contain a progestogen, but no
• reduced premenstrual symptoms oestrogen. They prevent pregnancy
• acne improves mainly by:
• reduced risk of endometrial and • Thickening the mucus of the cervix so
ovarian cancer. sperm cannot enter the uterus
Side effects of COCs • Changing the lining of the uterus
Most women can take the pill without (making it unsuitable for pregnancy).
experiencing side effects, however some
women experience side effects for a
Benefits, side effects and risks of
short time when they first start taking it.
‘the minipill’
Some women try several different COCs
before finding one that suits them. The minipill is an alternative for women
Possible side effects include nausea, who cannot take oestrogen or COCs.
headaches, breast tenderness, mood It may be suitable for breastfeeding
changes, weight gain, bloating, skin mothers, as it does not affect breast
pigmentation and mid-cycle menstrual milk supply. The most common

To find your nearest Self Care pharmacy go to the pharmacy finder at www.psa.org.au
side effect of the minipill is irregular
menstrual bleeding. Other possible side Important
effects include breast tenderness and For reliable contraception, OCPs
headaches. The minipill may not be need to be taken once a day, at the
suitable for women with certain medical same time each day. The timing of
conditions (e.g. cardiovascular disease, the minipill is the most strict – if it
is taken more than 3 hours later
thrombosis, breast cancer,liver disease).
than the usual time, additional
contraception is needed for a further
Self care
48 hours (until 3 consecutive pills
OCPs are effective contraceptives only have been taken).
when used correctly. Things that may Consult a family planning clinic,
reduce the effectiveness of OCPs include doctor or pharmacist if:
missing a dose, vomiting, diarrhoea and
• you miss doses of your OCP
some medicines. In circumstances that
• you are experiencing possible side
can reduce the effectiveness of your
effects of your OCP
OCP, you may need to use an additional
• your period is missed, irregular or
form of contraception (e.g. condoms).
unusual.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Consult a doctor immediately if
• Read and follow the consumer you are taking an OCP and you
information leaflet in your oral experience:
contraceptives pack. • severe headaches
• Make sure you know when to start • severe and unexplained pain in the
your OCP for the first time, how to chest, leg or stomach
continue on with it each month and • leg swelling
what to do if you forget to take it. • difficulty breathing
• Be alert for side effects of your OCP. • coughing up blood
• Check with a doctor or pharmacist • sudden problems with eyesight or
before taking any other medicines. speech
• weakness or numbness in an arm
• Ensure that the doctor who prescribes
or leg
your OCP is aware of all your medical
• fainting or collapse
conditions.
• jaundice (yellowing skin or eyes)
• Have your blood pressure checked
• breast lumps
regularly.
• swelling of lips, face or tongue.
• Don’t smoke.

To find your nearest Self Care pharmacy go to the pharmacy finder at www.psa.org.au
 For more information Related fact cards
Acne
Sexual Health and Family Planning Contraception
Australia Menstrual Chart (website only –
Listed under ‘S’ in the white pages of ask your pharmacist)
the phone book
Period Problems
Website www.shfpa.org.au
Pregnancy and Ovulation
Your Body Guide
Website: www.understandingyou.com.au
Healthdirect Australia
Phone: 1800 022 222
Website: www.healthinsite.gov.au
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
Your pharmacist can advise on
CMI leaflets.
National Prescribing Service (NPS)
Medicines Information
Phone: 1300 MEDICINE (1300 633 424)
Website: www.nps.org.au
The Poisons Information Centre
In case of poisoning phone 13 11 26
from anywhere in Australia.

Pharmacists are medicines experts.

Ask a pharmacist for advice when Sponsored by:
choosing a medicine.

Your Self Care Pharmacy:

L.AU.WH.09.2011.0172

Reviewed October 2011, Published October 2011.

© Pharmaceutical Society of Australia www.psa.org.au