Hundreds of millions of women around the world have successfully used hormonal contraception since the 1960s. The pill is one of the most common prescription medications in the UK today, but there are still a lot of myths and misinformation about side effects and health related issues. If you want to renew a prescription, or you’re thinking about changing to a different type of contraception it’s good to understand the basic issues.
Can I smoke if I’m on the pill?
It is possible that you may be able to smoke if you’re on the pill, though no GP would recommend that you do! If you’re over 35, or a heavy smoker, or you have certain medical issues, you may be advised to take an oestrogen free mini pill instead of a combined pill. Doctors will usually consider prescribing mini pills to smokers of all ages.
Will the pill make me fat?
Bodyweight is determined by how many calories you consume and how many you burn off. Over 3,000,000 UK women are using hormonal contraceptives, if they started putting on weight most of them would be looking for another form of contraception before they’d finished their first strip of pills. The pill probably won’t affect your appetite or weight* one way or the other.
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How will the pill affect my skin?
Every woman is different and there’s no standard answer. If you suffer from acne or very oily skin, a GP may advise that hormonal contraceptives could also improve your skin. Some women will go on the pill for this reason. A few women may find that they suffer minor side effects in the form of skin problems, but these are very rare.
Does the Pill Cause Blood Clots?
Every year a small number of women in the UK who are on the pill will die of conditions related to Deep Vein Thrombosis. There is no scientific proof that the pill causes these deaths, but they usually get big headlines in the media. Statistically, using the pill will raise your risk of blood clots, but the increase is very slight.
According to the NHS, using the pill can increase your chances of suffering from blood clots. But despite regular media scares the overall risks remain small. Levonorgestrel based pills (the most commonly prescribed in the UK) are responsible for an extra 6 cases of venous blood clots per 10,000 users*.
Will the pill make me moody?
The pill (and other hormonal contraceptives) change the balance of hormones in your body. According to a number of studies, around 30% of women* report some mood changes when they take the pill. If you feel that your moods or emotions have changed you should discuss it with your doctor. It’s important to rule out any other causes before you consider trying a different type of contraception.
