Combined Hormonal Contraception
The daily option that keeps you protected against pregnancy.
Secure delivery Licensed clinicians
Pinning down the right combined birth control for you can be tricky. So let’s take the hassle out of it.
We can show you the different options and make recommendations tailored just for you.
This type of birth control contains two types of hormone: oestrogen and progesterone. These hormones affect how and when your body prepares for pregnancy.
There are several different types of combined birth control and they’re all fairly equally good at preventing pregnancy. However, some contain higher doses of hormones than others, or use different types of progestin and oestrogen. This means one might be helpful for easing specific PMS symptoms, while another option is better for women who are extra-sensitive to hormones.
It can feel a bit overwhelming, so we’re here to help.
Combined birth control works in three ways to prevent pregnancy. Here’s the big one: it stops ovulation. That’s when your ovary releases an egg, and it happens once a month. Each egg has the chance to become fertilised, leading to pregnancy. If fertilisation doesn’t happen, the lining of your womb breaks down and the whole thing happens again next cycle (lots of fun, we know).
Because hormonal contraception stops ovulation, your chances of becoming pregnant are significantly reduced.
Combined birth control also protects you by making the mucus in your cervix thicker. “Thick mucus” isn’t something you normally want to hear but in this case, it’s great news. When it’s thicker, sperm have a much harder time reaching the egg.
It also makes your uterine lining thinner. This lining builds throughout the month and then breaks down during your period. When you’re using birth control, the lining doesn’t build in the same way. And so the period you have while using combined birth control should be shorter, lighter and more predictable.
Any that contain two active ingredients, a synthetic form of progesterone and and of oestrogen.
In the leaflet that comes with your birth control, the active ingredients should be clearly listed at the top underneath the name of the drug.
There are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to combined birth control. Settling on the right one can take time, and some women end up trying more than one option before finding what works best for them.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
There are two ways of measuring how effective self-administed birth control is at preventing pregnancy. One way is according to ‘perfect use’. This means you use itexactly as you should, every day, without making a mistake. The level of effectiveness of combined oral contraceptives when taken like this is over 99%. So in a whole year, fewer than 1 in 100 women taking combined birth control in that time will become pregnant.
The other way is ‘typical use’. This is when you use hormonal birth control but make realistic errors, such as forgetting the occasional dose or taking it late. It’s 91% effective when taken like this, which means about 9 in 100 women taking it over a year will become pregnant.
The best way to make sure birth control is effective then is to follow the instructions as closely as you can when you take it.
It depends on whether you’re taking it for the first time, coming back after a break, or switching from a different type of birth control. If you’re using combined birth control for the first time, you can start on any day.
When you start using it on the first day of your period, you’re protected from becoming pregnant immediately — so you don’t need to worry about using a condom. You’ll also be protected immediately if you start taking it before the fifth day of your period.
If you start using combined birth control after the fifth day of your cycle, you won’t be protected right away. Use a back-up birth control method (like condoms) for seven days while your hormonal birth control starts to work.
Another option is the Sunday start approach. If you start taking birth control on the first Sunday after your period begins, you avoid withdrawal bleeding on a weekend (if you want to skip having your period on a weekend, this might be the way to go).
When to start if you’re already on birth control
You shouldn’t leave a gap when you’re switching from one birth control method to combined birth control. If you’re already taking hormonal birth control start your new one the day after you finish your last one.
You can talk to our clinicians about anything you’re unsure of when changing your form of birth control. They’ll be available throughout your treatment too, so you can ask any questions you have along the way.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
No. Whilst most have the same effectiveness (so over 99% when they’re used correctly), some contain variations of the same hormone, or higher or lower doses of hormones than others. It may be that you’re more sensitive to progestin or oestrogen in combined birth control for instance, and so you’ll be better off taking a particular option that restricts the number of side effects you get.
Unless you’ve tried a few different types of combined birth control and found one that works well for you, there’s a good chance that you won’t know which is the best option. Finding the right one can involve some trial and error. And our bodies can change over time, so what was effective before might not suit you as well now. A consultation with our clinician will help you to narrow down your options.
Besides your sensitivity to hormones in birth control and whether you’re prone to certain side effects, there are other factors that may play a role in identifying the right one for you too. If you’re looking for something that can also help with acne, for example, you might be recommended an option that’s thought to help improve the condition of your skin. The pros and cons of specific options also need to be taken into account.
In short then, we can help you to pick out the best (and safest) combined birth control options for you by weighing these things up, using your health background as the basis.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Have something specific you want to know about Combined Hormonal Contraception? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
Choosing a combined oral contraceptive pill. Australian Prescriber, 38(1), pp.6–11. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2015.002.
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Here are some other things we can help with besides Combined pill.
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Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
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