Hormonal contraceptives

Hormonal contraceptives don’t only prevent ovulation. They can also prevent fertilized eggs from implanting or make mucus in the cervix thicker to prevent the sperm from reaching the egg cell.

Hormonal contraceptives should be used properly. Their effectiveness can be reduced by antibiotics, cholesterol-lowering drugs or herbal products.

Hormonal contraception includes birth control pills, implants under the skin, injections, patches, IUDs, vaginal rings. They are available for women. 

There are combined oral contraceptive pills and mini pills (they contain only progestin). Both types of birth control pills prevent ovulation and make your cervical mucus thicker. Combined hormonal contraceptives can cause venous and arterial blood clots. Because of that, they are not recommended for smokers or women over 35. However, they can reduce the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer. Combined hormonal contraceptives can reduce menstrual bleeding and mеnstruation cramps. They are unsuitable for breastfeeding mothers as they affect the production of milk. Estrogen can be also released from the vaginal ring. 

Mini Pills, injections and IUDs don’t cause blood clots. Mini Pills can also reduce menstrual bleeding and mеnstruation cramps. They can cause irregular bleeding or you may have no periods at all. Mini Pills are suitable for breastfeeding mothers. 

Other types of hormonal contraceptives include: 

• Injections of progestin
• Skin patches with estrogen and progestin 
• Vaginal ring with estrogen and progestin
• Progesterone IUDs 
• Implantable rod containing progestin

If you have forgotten to take your birth control pill, you can find information in the instructions to your contraceptive. Use a condom until you are absolutely sure that your contraceptive method provides good protection again.

If you have had unprotected intercourse after you have forgotten to take your birth control pill, you may need emergency contraception.

If you want advice about different types of contraception methods, APPOTEK can help you. A doctor will make an individual assessment based on your situation during the care meeting. If you have used birth control pills, we can renew your prescriptions and, if necessary, help with blood pressure measurement.

Advice on choosing a method of contraception is free of charge.