Oral contraception for women: a brief overview

The most popular contraceptive formulation in the United Kingdom remains the oral contraceptive pill. This article provides a brief overview of the main benefits of the two most popular forms of contraception prescribed: the combined pill and the progesterone only pill. Practitioners are advised to take a medical history of the woman to determine which formulation is the most appropriate, and to refer to the manufacturer's instructions when giving advice on managing missed pills and interactions with other drugs. Nurses are also advised to keep up to date with new formulations.