- This secure form will allow you to provide the information your GP team needs to review your oral contraceptive pill (OCP).- You will need to know your height and weight.- You should seek further advice if you have developed side effects you would like to discuss or regularly forget your pill. - Your answers may not be seen immediately meaning this service is not suitable for seeking urgent or emergency care.- This form should only be used by someone over the age of 13.- When you are ready to complete your review, click the "Review my OCP" tab above.
Helpful Tips
- You can take your pill continuously without a break - The pill does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. - You'll need to use condoms as well as the pill to protect against sexually transmitted infections. - Long acting reversible contraception (LARC) can overcome many of the pills limitations. - Information on LARC is available within the review. You can contact the practice to discucss this further.
Other medication
- Some medications and alternative remedies can interact with both the combined pill and the progesterone only pill. - The most common interacting medications include the antibiotics rifampicin and rifabutin (other antibiotics are fine).- The most common interacting alternative medicine is St John's Wort.- If you are taking any of the above medications or substances you should contact your GP practice and consider LARC (see above).- Other medications which may interact with the pill include anticonvulsants used in epilepsy and drugs used to treat HIV.
Seeking help
You should seek a review if any of the following occur:
- Mild pains in your chest or tummy (abdomen).- Have a sudden change in your bleeding pattern.
You should seek urgent help if you have:
- Trouble breathing or are coughing up blood.- A severe unremitting headache or migraines with an aura.- An unexplained painful swelling of your leg.- Problems with your speech, sight or moving your arms and legs.- Significant pains in your chest or tummy (abdomen).- An episode of losing conciousness (fainting) or collapsing.
Blood Pressure
- A blood pressure reading is essential to ensure you can use the COCP safely.- A blood pressure reading above 180/110 should be reported urgently by calling the practice (not entered / submitted).- You can check your blood pressure on your own machine, at your local community pharmacy or at the practice.- If you do not have one to hand now, you can still submit this form and supply us with a reading later.
Migraines
- Migraines are a serious problem if you are on the combined pill. - A migraine is usually a moderate or severe headache - It is often felt as a throbbing pain on one side of the head.- Many people also have symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and increased sensitivity to light or sound.- If you think you are suffering from migraines please abandon this review and contact the practice urgently.
Types of pill
There are two main groups of pill. The combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP), which contains oestrogen and progesterone, and the progesterone only pill (POP), which contains only progesterone (sometimes called the mini pill). Brand names of each are shown below along with photos of the most commonly used.