Contraception

Most popular form of birth control are oral hormonal contraceptives.

Protect against unplanned pregnancies with contraceptive pills.

Hormonal contraception is the easiest and most popular way to prevent pregnancy. Commonly known as 'the pill', 'mini-pill', patch or ring, millions of women rely on this method of contraception every day because it is almost 100% effective. There is a huge array of hormonal contraceptives available, so you can find the right pill that suits your body and minimise the risk of experiencing side effects.

Onlineclinic offers a wide selection of popular hormonal contraceptives, including Dianette, Yasmin and Microgynon, which can be purchased and prescribed conveniently online. All you have to do is complete a free confidential consultation when you place your order. One of our doctors will check the medical information you provide during your consultation to ensure you are safe to use the contraception you’ve chosen. They will then issue a prescription and our pharmacy will dispatch your order for free overnight delivery.

What are the benefits of hormonal contraceptives?

Hormonal contraception is more than 99% effective, making them more successful at preventing pregnancy than any other form of contraception. Most hormonal contraceptives are effective almost immediately if taken on the first day of your period.

There are more than 30 different types of hormonal contraceptives available, so that women can find the right birth control method that works best with their body. Besides preventing pregnancy, many contraceptives carry additional benefits, such as:

• Reducing acne
• Reducing painful and heavy periods
• Easing premenstrual pains
• Preventing endometriosis

How does hormonal contraception work?

Most contraceptives are combined contraceptives; they use two hormones, a synthetic oestrogen and a synthetic progestogen. They prevent pregnancy in three different ways. The first and most important way is by preventing ovulation, which involves the maturation and release of an egg from the ovaries. They also work by altering the lining of the uterus so that if an egg is released, it cannot embed itself and grow. Finally, the cervical mucus is altered so that sperm cannot enter the womb.

There are also single hormone contraceptives, known as the mini-pill or progestogen-only pill. Mini-pills use only a synthetic progestogen and in most cases just prevent pregnancy by altering the womb lining and cervical mucous, making them marginally less effective than combined contraceptives. However, some new mini-pills are proven to now prevent ovulation as well. The mini-pill is usually recommended for women who are sensitive to oestrogen, those who have diabetes or high blood pressure, women who are over 35 and smoking, and those who are breastfeeding.

What different types of hormonal contraception are there?

Monophasic pills

Most combined pills are monophasic. They are taken for 21 days of your cycle, followed by a seven-day break. During this break you will still be completely protected, but you may experience some withdrawal bleeding as the hormones leave your system.

Phasic pills

Phasic pills include two or three different sections of coloured pills in each pack. Each pill contains a different dose of hormones. This allows the dosage to rise and fall depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle. They’re taken for 21 days and followed by a seven-day break, just like monophasic pills, but must be taken in order.

Multi-phasic pills

Multi-phasic pills, such as Qlaira, contain four different dosages of hormones and are broken down equally into four different pills taken over a 28 day period. The dosage changes along with the natural fluctuations of hormones present in the body in order to reduce the chances of side effects, while ensuring the highest level of protection against pregnancy.

Every day (ED) pills

Every day pills are taken for the complete 28 day cycle, with no breaks between courses. In most cases, every day pills are provided as a convenience option. They contain 21 active pills, and seven inactive pills. This helps women to stay in the habit of taking their daily pill, without a seven-day break.

Mini-pills (progestogen-only pills)

Mini-pills are every day pills that have 28 active pills in each pack, with each pill containing the same amount of hormones. Unlike other birth control pills, mini-pills contain only synthetic oestrogen.

Patches and rings

The contraceptive patch and the contraceptive ring are two new forms of hormonal contraception that provide women with an alternative method of contraception. The patch and ring are worn/used once a month, for three weeks at a time, and allow women to avoid having to take an oral pill on a daily basis.

Do hormonal contraceptives cause side effects?

It’s not unusual for contraceptives to cause some side effects. Every woman’s body will react differently to the synthetic hormones contained in each contraceptive, and their different doses. Women using hormonal contraceptives for the first time may experience:

• Nausea
• Headaches
• Breast tenderness
• Slight 'spotting' of blood between periods
• Slight weight gain
• Changes in your mood

Finding the right hormonal contraceptive will ensure that you experience minimal side effects. If your current contraceptive is causing you discomfort, then consider changing to a contraceptive with a different dosage of hormones.

The following conditions may restrict your choice of hormonal contraceptives:

• Smoking addiction
• Being overweight
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Family history of thrombosis
• High cholesterol
• Vein inflammation
• Immobility

Buying hormonal contraceptives online

You can get a prescription for hormonal contraceptives online at Onlineclinic without having to make an appointment with your doctor. By taking a consultation when you place your order, our doctor can ensure that the contraceptive you choose is suitable for you. If the doctor is satisfied, they can then issue a prescription. Your prescription will be forwarded to our pharmacy, which will dispatch your order for free with our overnight courier delivery service.