Oral contraception

Oral contraception for women is available in two formulations; products containing both oestrogen and progestogen – combined oral contraceptives (COCs, the pill); and those containing progestogen alone – progestogen-only pills (POPs, the mini-pill). COCs first became available in the UK in 1961 and have become an extremely safe, effective and popular method of reversible contraception. They also have non-contraceptive health benefits. This article aims to outline the advantages and disadvantages of taking oral contraception and the important aspects of safe prescribing, focusing first on COCs and then outlining how POPs differ.