Microgynon 30 pill

If you start taking Microgynon within the first 5 days of starting your period, you will be protected from pregnancy straight away. At any other time in your menstrual cycle you will need to use condoms or alternative contraception for the first 7 days before you are protected against pregnancy. If you are switching to the combined pill from another method, check out our blog on changing your contraception.

Spotting (or 'breakthrough bleeding') typically occurs in the first few months of taking the combined pill. So whilst it can be a pain and ruin a few pairs of pants - there's no need to worry. If you have been taking the combined pill for more than 3 months and your spotting is continuing, or you are experiencing new or irregular bleeding then contact your doctor or nurse for advice. You may be asked to do a pregnancy test or STI test and come in for an examination. If you take your pill for 21 days and then have a break of up to 7 days you will likely have a withdrawal bleed which is similar to a period where the womb lining sheds in response to a drop in hormones. Some people may experience very light bleeding or no bleeding at all during the break. If you take the combined pill back to back (without a break) you can avoid having a withdrawal bleed but may experience spotting or breakthrough bleeding. Find out more in our guide to continuous pill taking.

Yes. You can order Microgynon 30 online at The Lowdown without needing to see a doctor in person. Head to our Pill Prescriptions service to fill in a short questionnaire about you and your medical history. Your request will then be reviewed by our pharmacy. We'll post a 3 month supply of Microgynon directly to your door in discreet packaging. You can also get contraception for free if prescribed on the NHS, for example through your GP or sexual health clinic. Find out more about where you can buy contraception.

Microgynon can improve acne. It's important to remember, however, that although a significant amount of women report improvements to their skin, Microgynon 30 isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. Check out our user-generated reviews to see how our community reports changes to their skin. You can also find out more in our guide to the contraceptive pill and acne.

Around half of women on a combined pill like Microgynon report at The Lowdown that their bleeds get lighter whilst taking it - check out our side effects tab for more info. The bleed you experience during your 7 day break between pill packets isn't actually a 'real period' and instead is called a withdrawal bleed. You can choose to stop your withdrawal bleeds by taking the combined pill continuously and not having a 7 day break between packets. (Note: you might still experience breakthrough bleeding in the first few months whilst your body gets used to it). Read our guide to continuous pill taking.

Microgynon is a type of combined pill, a small tablet you swallow daily that contains the hormones oestrogen and progestogen. Microgynon prevents pregnancy in three ways – by stopping ovulation, making the fluid in your cervix thicker (which makes it more difficult for sperm to enter the womb), and by preventing the lining of your womb from thickening enough for a fertilised egg to implant into it. Microgynon is around 93% effective with typical use which means that 7 in 100 women fall pregnant whilst taking the pill each year. Find out more about how clinical effectiveness is determined. There are a few things that can stop the combined pill from working properly including vomiting, some antibiotics, or missing a pill. Take a look at our complete guide to the combined pill to find out more. You can also use our Missed pill calculator to help you understand what to do if you miss a pill.

You should take your Microgynon 30 pill around the same time every day. We recommend keeping your pill packet somewhere you look at everyday (like your makeup bag) to remind you to take it, or set an alarm on your phone. Microgynon 30 is designed to be taken for 21 days followed by a 7 day break during which you'll experience a withdrawal bleed (like a period). If you want to, you can choose to shorten this break or miss it out altogether (check out our blog on taking your pill back to back). Depending on where you are in your cycle when you start the pill, you might not be protected against pregnancy straight away. Check out our blog about the combined pill for more info. Coming off Microgynon 30 is easy - you just stop taking it. When you do, you’re no longer protected from pregnancy. If you want to stop the pill but do not wish to become pregnant then you should complete your current packet before stopping and consider switching to another form of contraception before you stop taking your pill. If you have unprotected sex and stop your pill before the packet is finished you may ovulate (release an egg from the ovary) and could become pregnant. You can use our Missed pill calculator if you have missed any pills from your packet. Read our complete guide to coming off the pill for more advice.