What are the disadvantages of the combined pill?

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  • The combined pill does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, so women may need to use condoms as well.
  • Women must remember to take the pill at the same time every day
  • Women might get some temporary side effects when beginning taking the combined pill, but these should stop within a few months. This might include nausea, spotty skin, breast tenderness, weight change and headaches.
  • Some women cannot use the combined pill due to health reasons. (see contra-indications)

What are health reasons (contra-indications) that indicate a woman should not take combined pills ?

What are possible side-effects of the combined pill?

  • What are possible side-effects of the combined pill?

    Some women may experience temporary side-effects when beginning combined pills, but these usually stop within a few months. Side effects may include nausea, dizziness, spotty skin, breast tenderness, weight changes or headaches.  Some women report changes in bleeding patterns (lighter, irregular Read more »

  • What are health reasons (contra-indications) that indicate a woman should not take combined pills ?

    Combined pills should NOT be used by women who : Are breastfeeding and have given birth within the previous 6 months. Are taking barbiturates, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, primidone, topiramate, rifampicin, rifabutin. or ritonavir or ritonavir- boosted protease inhibitors. A backup… Read more »