We prescribe contraceptive pills and patches and can talk you through which options may be best for you.
Contraceptive pills
There are two main types of contraceptive pill:
- The combined hormonal contraceptive pill (also known as ‘the pill’). Go to the Contraception Choices website: combined pill for more information.
- The progesterone only pill (also known as ‘the mini pill’). Go to the Contraception Choices website: mini pill for more information.
Please note that, whilst we stock a large number of different pill brands, we cannot stock them all. If you are on a particular version that we don’t stock (for example Yasmin® or Dianette®), we can prescribe a similar version. See your GP if you want to continue to use a specific type of pill that we don’t have.
It is possible to take the pill so that you have fewer or no bleeding episodes. It may also be easier to take and more effective as contraception. Read the leaflet below for more information:
Different ways to take the combined contraceptive pill leaflet (pdf)
We can also discuss this with you at your appointment.
The contraceptive patch
This method uses the same hormones that are in the combined contraceptive pill but, instead of taking a pill, you apply a patch to your skin once a week.
It may be a good method if you sometimes forget to take pills. Go to the Contraception Choices website: patch for more information.
Pills for period control
If you are not sexually active and are using the pill purely to control your periods, you must see your GP for this. We cannot prescribe the pill in these circumstances.
Planning a pregnancy
If you want to get pregnant in the near future and are looking for information, see the pregnancy page.