The combined oral contraceptive pill is suitable for most individuals who are looking for a short-term non-barrier form of contraception. 

It may be particularly helpful for women suffering from certain conditions such as severe menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea), heavy menses (menorrhagia), acne issues or premenstrual syndrome symptoms. 

However, the combined pill may not be suitable for you if you have pre-existing medical conditions such as poorly controlled high blood pressure, migraines with aura, breast or hormonal related cancers, liver or gallbladder conditions, blood clots (thrombosis) or a family history of thrombotic tendencies. It is also not ideal for smokers, especially those aged >35. 

Certain medications may also interact with and decrease the efficacy of the combined oral contraceptive pill, so you may wish to check with your doctor if you are taking any regular long term medication.

Pros:

• Allows for sexual spontaneity 
• It can help ease symptoms for women with heavy or painful periods (menorrhagia or dysmenorrhea)
• It can help with regulation of menstrual cycles and reduce symptoms of premenstrual syndrome 
• Some types of the combined oral contraceptive pill can help with acne
• Reduces the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer

Cons:

• Requires daily pill taking and individuals who miss doses frequently may not be adequately protected against unplanned pregnancy
• It may cause various side effects (see below), but if any of these side effects become unacceptable, the pill can be stopped anytime
• It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections
• It is associated with a possible increased risk of rare but serious health conditions like thrombosis (blood clots) 
• There may be interaction between the combined oral contraceptive pill and other medications 
• If you are unwell with vomiting or diarrhoea, the efficacy of the pill may be affected depending on the severity of your illness

Tag: Oral Contraceptives Singapore

• Bleeding or spotting in between menstrual cycles can be common, particularly in the initial starting phase 
• Breast tenderness
• Bloating
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Mood changes or mood swings

Most of the combined oral contraceptive pills available in Singapore are monophasic 21-day pills with a few exceptions. This means you take 21 consecutive days’ worth of hormonal pills, followed by a 7 days pill-free interval (some brands may come with 7 placebo pills which do not contain any hormones). This is to mimic the natural monthly menstrual cycle. 

You should aim to take the pill at the same time on a daily basis. Speak to your doctor if you miss a dose as the next course of action may differ depending on where in your cycle you are. 

If you start on Day 1 of your menstrual cycle, you are protected against unplanned pregnancy and will not need additional barrier protection. However, if you start at any point during the rest of your menstrual cycle, particularly if it is after Day 5, you should use additional barrier protection for a week before you can safely have unprotected intercourse.

You will still get your period but it is likely to be lighter than before. If you naturally have painful menstrual cycles (dysmenorrhea), you will also find that the pill will help alleviate these symptoms. 

If you wish to avoid monthly periods (for an underlying medical condition as advised by your doctor or for personal convenience), the pills can be taken continuously without a pill-free interval for longer than a month. You can also speak to your doctor about this.