-
- Contraception
- 02 June 2017
Reviewed April 2022
Typical and perfect use: how to maximise effectiveness of the pill
The oral contraceptive pill is the most common form of prescribed contraception in the UK. Despite this fact, many pill users are still not clued up on the best way to take it, and how it can be best used to prevent pregnancy.
There are two main groups of oral contraceptive pill: the progesterone only pill (POP or mini pill) and the combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP). Both pill types work in slightly different ways, and as such have different instructions on how they are taken. Typically, the mini pill is taken continuously, whereas the combined contraceptive pill traditionally has a seven day, pill-free break after every 21 days.
As suggested by its name, the POP only contains one hormone — progesterone. The COCP contains two hormones, both progesterone and oestrogen. Different pills suit different people and your doctor can help you decide which one is best for you.
Certain medications (both prescribed and over-the-counter) can interact with both the COCP and the POP, making them less effective. Make sure your GP knows you are using the pill as contraception if they are prescribing you medication, especially if the pill was obtained from a family planning clinic as it may not be on your records. The most common supplement that interacts with the pill (and needs to be avoided) is St John’s Wort, a remedy often bought to help with low mood or anxiety.1
How effective is the pill for contraception?
To measure the efficacy of a form of contraception, data looks at people who are using the same form of contraception over the course of a year and the chance that they will experience an unintended pregnancy during this time.
If a someone uses no form of contraception for a year, the chance of pregnancy is 85%.2 This means that for every 100 people who menstruate having intercourse over a year, 85 will get pregnant in that time.
The information for types of contraception looks at rates for perfect use and typical use. Perfect use is simply that: following every instruction to the letter. Every pill is remembered, taken at the same time every day and never missed. In reality, very few people manage to take it perfectly.
Typical use can overestimate the risks for people that take the contraceptive method reliably
Typical use is a bit more complicated. This includes the rates of unintended pregnancy in all people taking the medication. In reality, this includes those who don’t take it correctly and those who forget to take it occasionally, or even those who leave it in the drawer permanently. As a result, typical use can overestimate the risks for people that take the contraceptive method reliably.
For both the mini pill and the combined pill, if taken perfectly, the chance of a pregnancy is 0.3%.3 So for every 330 people who menstruate that take the mini or combined pill perfectly for a year, one of these will become pregnant.
However, if taken typically, the chance of an unintended pregnancy for both the mini pill and the combined pill is 9%.4 That is, for every 100 people taking it typically, nine will fall pregnant within a year. This is quite a high rate, but taking it typically is not necessarily how most people will take it.
Missed pills and mistakes occasionally will happen. The important thing is to follow missed pill rules and seek advice for emergency contraception immediately if needed
The true effectiveness of the pill is most likely to be somewhere in the middle of these statistics (i.e. very occasional slip-ups only). This is why when looking at NHS information, it is quoted that the COCP and the POP are effective more than 99% of the time if taken properly.5 So for every 100 people using either pill type reliably for a year, less than one will get pregnant. This, in real terms, is a much more reassuring number. Few will take the pill perfectly, but many take it reliably.
Missed pills and mistakes occasionally will happen. The important thing is to follow missed pill rules and seek advice for emergency contraception immediately if needed.
Progesterone-only pill
The POP works in several ways, including stopping the release of the egg from the ovary (ovulation) in the majority of people who take it. It alters the lining of the womb (uterus), and alters the cervical mucus, making a much more hostile environment.6 As a result, sperm is much less likely to reach the egg, massively reducing the risk of a resulting pregnancy.
Instructions on how to initially start the pill can differ depending on where in the menstrual cycle you are. Your doctor will give you instructions specific to your situation.
What is the most effective way to take the POP?
Ideally, the mini pill should be taken at the same time of day, every day, without missing a dose.
With the more traditional types (such as Micronor and Noriday that contain a type of progesterone called norethisterone), there is only a three-hour window to take the pill in, if you miss your normal time. If taken later than that, it counts as a missed pill, increasing the chances of the contraceptive method failing.
Older-style pills rely mainly on changes to cervical mucus and the lining of the womb to be effective. These can change pretty quickly, hence the need to take the pill in a short, three-hour safety window
Why only a three-hour window? Micronor has been shown to inhibit ovulation in around 50% of users.7 Therefore, these older-style pills rely mainly on changes to cervical mucus and the lining of the womb to be effective. These can change pretty quickly, hence the need to take the pill in a short, three-hour safety window.
The newer formulations of the POP, such as Cerazette (which contains the progesterone desogestrel), have a much more forgiving 12-hour window to take the pill in, making them increasingly popular. This is because, unlike the older-style POPs, Cerazette has been shown to inhibit ovulation in 97% of people taking it.8
Realistically, most people will miss a pill at some point, so it is important to know what to do. If you have missed your mini pill, take it as soon as you remember, and take the next pill at the normal time. Make sure however that you use alternative barrier contraception (such as condoms) for the next 48 hours as you will not be protected from pregnancy.
The combined pill works by stopping ovulation. It also affects cervical mucus and the lining of the womb in a similar way to the mini pill
If you miss a pill but have penetrative sex (here defined as penis-in-vagina sex) regardless, go and see your doctor or pharmacist for emergency contraception.
If you vomit within two hours of taking the pill, take another as soon as you can. If you continue to vomit, use another form of contraception, for example condoms, for the next 48 hours.9
Combined oral contraceptive pill
The combined pill contains two hormones, an oestrogen and a progesterone. Most types give a standard dose of oestrogen and progesterone for 21 days, and then you take a pill-free break for seven days (or seven dummy pills may be included to make it easier to remember when to start the next strip).
The combined pill works by stopping ovulation. It also affects cervical mucus and the lining of the womb in a similar way to the mini pill.10 The seven-day pill break causes a drop in hormones, and the lining of the womb (endometrium) breaks down, avoiding pregnancy.
How to take the combined pill perfectly
Ideally, the COCP should be taken at around the same time every day. In practice however, as long as the pill is taken no more than 24 hours late this should be okay, but it is best to err on the side of caution. If you miss a pill, you need to use other contraception, for example a condom, for seven days afterwards.
The main reason it is advised to take the pill at the same time each day is to aid compliance by getting the person taking it into a routine and also to keep the hormone levels at a relatively steady level. In addition, the studies carried out on safety data have generally been done on people who have been advised to take the pill at the same time each day, and as such may not be accurate statistical representations of people taking them irregularly.
If you miss a combined pill and have penetrative sex, what you need to do depends on where in the pack the missed pill is and how many pills have not been taken
If you vomit within three hours of taking the COCP, or within four hours of taking Qlaira and Zoely, take another tablet as soon as you can. However, if you continue to vomit or have diarrhoea, you need to count each day as a missed pill and follow the above missed pill advice.11
If you miss a combined pill and have penetrative sex, what you need to do depends on where in the pack the missed pill is and how many pills have not been taken. The leaflet accompanying the pill will give instructions on what to do, but you should see your doctor or pharmacist for advice and use alternative contraception for seven days. Depending on when the pill was missed and the timing of intercourse, you may need to go and get emergency contraception.
Who does the pill suit best?
The pill suits people who don’t have any problems remembering to take it every day (one good way is to set a reminder on your phone).
If this is something you may find hard then other forms of longer-acting contraception may be a better choice for you. One type of contraception does not suit everyone, the key to success is finding one that is safe and acceptable to you, but also suits your lifestyle as well.
Realistically, most will forget to take a pill at the same time every day once in a while, or for whatever reason won’t be able to take one on a particular day (for instance leaving the packet at home). While this is not ideal, it is important to remember that this doesn’t mean you will definitely get pregnant, or that you should feel guilty. It just means that it is important to understand what this means for your body, and what you should do next to prevent pregnancy.
Featured image is of a person holding a packet of contraceptive pills
Last updated April 2022
Next update due 2025
The oral contraceptive pill is the most common form of prescribed contraception in the UK. Despite this fact, many pill users are still not clued up on the best way to take it, and how it can be best used to prevent pregnancy.
There are two main groups of oral contraceptive pill: the progesterone only pill (POP or mini pill) and the combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP). Both pill types work in slightly different ways, and as such have different instructions on how they are taken. Typically, the mini pill is taken continuously, whereas the combined contraceptive pill traditionally has a seven day, pill-free break after every 21 days.
As suggested by its name, the POP only contains one hormone — progesterone. The COCP contains two hormones, both progesterone and oestrogen. Different pills suit different people and your doctor can help you decide which one is best for you.
Certain medications (both prescribed and over-the-counter) can interact with both the COCP and the POP, making them less effective. Make sure your GP knows you are using the pill as contraception if they are prescribing you medication, especially if the pill was obtained from a family planning clinic as it may not be on your records. The most common supplement that interacts with the pill (and needs to be avoided) is St John’s Wort, a remedy often bought to help with low mood or anxiety.1
How effective is the pill for contraception?
To measure the efficacy of a form of contraception, data looks at people who are using the same form of contraception over the course of a year and the chance that they will experience an unintended pregnancy during this time.
If a someone uses no form of contraception for a year, the chance of pregnancy is 85%.2 This means that for every 100 people who menstruate having intercourse over a year, 85 will get pregnant in that time.
The information for types of contraception looks at rates for perfect use and typical use. Perfect use is simply that: following every instruction to the letter. Every pill is remembered, taken at the same time every day and never missed. In reality, very few people manage to take it perfectly.
Typical use can overestimate the risks for people that take the contraceptive method reliably
Typical use is a bit more complicated. This includes the rates of unintended pregnancy in all people taking the medication. In reality, this includes those who don’t take it correctly and those who forget to take it occasionally, or even those who leave it in the drawer permanently. As a result, typical use can overestimate the risks for people that take the contraceptive method reliably.
For both the mini pill and the combined pill, if taken perfectly, the chance of a pregnancy is 0.3%.3 So for every 330 people who menstruate that take the mini or combined pill perfectly for a year, one of these will become pregnant.
However, if taken typically, the chance of an unintended pregnancy for both the mini pill and the combined pill is 9%.4 That is, for every 100 people taking it typically, nine will fall pregnant within a year. This is quite a high rate, but taking it typically is not necessarily how most people will take it.
Missed pills and mistakes occasionally will happen. The important thing is to follow missed pill rules and seek advice for emergency contraception immediately if needed
The true effectiveness of the pill is most likely to be somewhere in the middle of these statistics (i.e. very occasional slip-ups only). This is why when looking at NHS information, it is quoted that the COCP and the POP are effective more than 99% of the time if taken properly.5 So for every 100 people using either pill type reliably for a year, less than one will get pregnant. This, in real terms, is a much more reassuring number. Few will take the pill perfectly, but many take it reliably.
Missed pills and mistakes occasionally will happen. The important thing is to follow missed pill rules and seek advice for emergency contraception immediately if needed.
Progesterone-only pill
The POP works in several ways, including stopping the release of the egg from the ovary (ovulation) in the majority of people who take it. It alters the lining of the womb (uterus), and alters the cervical mucus, making a much more hostile environment.6 As a result, sperm is much less likely to reach the egg, massively reducing the risk of a resulting pregnancy.
Instructions on how to initially start the pill can differ depending on where in the menstrual cycle you are. Your doctor will give you instructions specific to your situation.
What is the most effective way to take the POP?
Ideally, the mini pill should be taken at the same time of day, every day, without missing a dose.
With the more traditional types (such as Micronor and Noriday that contain a type of progesterone called norethisterone), there is only a three-hour window to take the pill in, if you miss your normal time. If taken later than that, it counts as a missed pill, increasing the chances of the contraceptive method failing.
Older-style pills rely mainly on changes to cervical mucus and the lining of the womb to be effective. These can change pretty quickly, hence the need to take the pill in a short, three-hour safety window
Why only a three-hour window? Micronor has been shown to inhibit ovulation in around 50% of users.7 Therefore, these older-style pills rely mainly on changes to cervical mucus and the lining of the womb to be effective. These can change pretty quickly, hence the need to take the pill in a short, three-hour safety window.
The newer formulations of the POP, such as Cerazette (which contains the progesterone desogestrel), have a much more forgiving 12-hour window to take the pill in, making them increasingly popular. This is because, unlike the older-style POPs, Cerazette has been shown to inhibit ovulation in 97% of people taking it.8
Realistically, most people will miss a pill at some point, so it is important to know what to do. If you have missed your mini pill, take it as soon as you remember, and take the next pill at the normal time. Make sure however that you use alternative barrier contraception (such as condoms) for the next 48 hours as you will not be protected from pregnancy.
The combined pill works by stopping ovulation. It also affects cervical mucus and the lining of the womb in a similar way to the mini pill
If you miss a pill but have penetrative sex (here defined as penis-in-vagina sex) regardless, go and see your doctor or pharmacist for emergency contraception.
If you vomit within two hours of taking the pill, take another as soon as you can. If you continue to vomit, use another form of contraception, for example condoms, for the next 48 hours.9
Combined oral contraceptive pill
The combined pill contains two hormones, an oestrogen and a progesterone. Most types give a standard dose of oestrogen and progesterone for 21 days, and then you take a pill-free break for seven days (or seven dummy pills may be included to make it easier to remember when to start the next strip).
The combined pill works by stopping ovulation. It also affects cervical mucus and the lining of the womb in a similar way to the mini pill.10 The seven-day pill break causes a drop in hormones, and the lining of the womb (endometrium) breaks down, avoiding pregnancy.
How to take the combined pill perfectly
Ideally, the COCP should be taken at around the same time every day. In practice however, as long as the pill is taken no more than 24 hours late this should be okay, but it is best to err on the side of caution. If you miss a pill, you need to use other contraception, for example a condom, for seven days afterwards.
The main reason it is advised to take the pill at the same time each day is to aid compliance by getting the person taking it into a routine and also to keep the hormone levels at a relatively steady level. In addition, the studies carried out on safety data have generally been done on people who have been advised to take the pill at the same time each day, and as such may not be accurate statistical representations of people taking them irregularly.
If you miss a combined pill and have penetrative sex, what you need to do depends on where in the pack the missed pill is and how many pills have not been taken
If you vomit within three hours of taking the COCP, or within four hours of taking Qlaira and Zoely, take another tablet as soon as you can. However, if you continue to vomit or have diarrhoea, you need to count each day as a missed pill and follow the above missed pill advice.11
If you miss a combined pill and have penetrative sex, what you need to do depends on where in the pack the missed pill is and how many pills have not been taken. The leaflet accompanying the pill will give instructions on what to do, but you should see your doctor or pharmacist for advice and use alternative contraception for seven days. Depending on when the pill was missed and the timing of intercourse, you may need to go and get emergency contraception.
Who does the pill suit best?
The pill suits people who don’t have any problems remembering to take it every day (one good way is to set a reminder on your phone).
If this is something you may find hard then other forms of longer-acting contraception may be a better choice for you. One type of contraception does not suit everyone, the key to success is finding one that is safe and acceptable to you, but also suits your lifestyle as well.
Realistically, most will forget to take a pill at the same time every day once in a while, or for whatever reason won’t be able to take one on a particular day (for instance leaving the packet at home). While this is not ideal, it is important to remember that this doesn’t mean you will definitely get pregnant, or that you should feel guilty. It just means that it is important to understand what this means for your body, and what you should do next to prevent pregnancy.
Featured image is of a person holding a packet of contraceptive pills
Last updated April 2022
Next update due 2025
References
- NICE, Contraception – combined hormonal methods, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, Clinical Knowledge Summary, January 2021 [online] [accessed 6 April 2022]
- FSRH, UK Medical Eligibility Criteria For Contraceptive Use (UK UMEC), Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, 2016 [online] [accessed 6 April 2022]
- Ibid.
- Ibid.
- NHS, Combined pill – Your contraception guide, NHS website, July 2020 [online] [accessed 6 April 2022]
- FSRH, Clinical guideline: Progestogen-only Pills, Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health, April 2019 [online] [accessed 6 April 2022]
- Ibid
- Ibid
- Ibid.
- FSRH, Clinical guideline: Combined hormonal contraception, Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health, November 2020 [online] [accessed 6 April 2022]
- Ibid.
