What are the disadvantages of the combined pill?

  • 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?