Test your knowledge

Vomiting or diarrhoea within a couple of hours of taking the pill may impact its effectiveness.¹ You should always speak to your doctor or nurse and refer to advice in the patient leaflet provided with your pill – they might suggest taking another pill if you are sick within two hours of taking your last.¹

Most antibiotics don’t affect birth control, but some specific types can lower the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives.¹ You should always check with your doctor or nurse first and take extra precautions if a medication has an impact on your birth control method.

Hormonal methods of birth control are designed to work continuously regardless of the cycle phase, because they disrupt the menstrual cycle.² However, non-hormonal methods such as fertility awareness or the withdrawal method, are reliant on careful tracking of the menstrual cycle.³ Speak with your doctor or nurse if you have questions about the effectiveness of your birth control.​

Long-term methods like IUDs, also known as ‘the coil’, prevent pregnancy for 5-10 years but they do need to be replaced, as they decrease in effectiveness over time.⁴ Similarly, the hormonal implant that is fitted under the skin in the upper arm lasts for around 3 years before needing replacement.⁵ Speak with your doctor or nurse if you have questions about the effectiveness of your birth control.​

Birth control has no proven long-term impact on fertility, and it generally returns to normal again very quickly.⁶ However, some types of birth control can cause a delay to the return of your fertility, such as the hormonal injection.⁷ If you have questions about your birth control method and fertility, speak with your doctor or nurse.​

With typical use, the withdrawal method of removing the penis from the vagina prior to ejaculation, is around 80% effective.³ That means around 1 in 5 women will get pregnant in a year when using this method. It does not protect against Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and, even if the penis is withdrawn before ejaculation, sperm present in the pre-ejaculate fluid can still lead to pregnancy.³ Speak with your doctor or nurse if you have questions about the withdrawal method.​

The copper IUD (copper coil) may make your periods heavier and more painful, however this usually gets better within a few months.⁸ Other birth control methods, such as the IUS or combined pill can make periods lighter and less painful, or stop them all together.^1,9 Speak with your doctor or nurse if you have questions about which birth control method is most suited to you.​

Most birth control methods can be used up until a woman reaches menopause. However, some combined hormonal methods, such as the pill, patch or ring, may not be suitable if you are over the age of 35 and a smoker.^1,10,11 This is due to a slight increase in the risk of blood clots.^1,10,11 It’s important to consult your doctor or nurse so that they can provide a recommendation for the most suitable birth control method based on your medical history and lifestyle.​

The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) supports taking the combined contraceptive pill continuously, stating there is no medical need for a woman to have a bleed each month.¹² You should always seek advice from your doctor or nurse before making any changes to the schedule of your pill. ​

It doesn’t matter what time of day you take your pill, as long as you take it around the same time each day.¹³ This ensures hormone levels in your body are maintained and you are protected against getting pregnant. It’s a good idea to coincide taking your pill with a certain point in your daytime routine, such as when you brush your teeth or go to bed, so that you don’t forget to take it. If you’re unsure, speak with your doctor or nurse.​