What you should do depends on which brand of pill you are taking, and on which week of the course you are currently on.

The general rule to follow is to take the pills for 7 continuous days to achieve contraceptive effect. Do refer to the product insert for more information.

While you are on the pill, you should not have your period because it will be suppressed. Some women may experience minor spotting. Your period will come during the pill-free week, usually days 2-3 after finishing the hormone-containing pills.

Different brands of contraceptive pills may have different additional benefits (e.g. to help with acne or excessive hair growth) and side effect profiles.

The best brand for you will depend on whether you have other conditions and if you have experienced serious side effects from any products before. It’s advisable to have an informed discussion with your medical profesional on the pros and cons of each pill.

All birth control pills contain hormones, and may not be suitable for women with certain conditions. Your medical professional should be aware of any medical conditions you may have.

Different brands have different side effects, and some have less than others. As these pills may interact with other medicines too, please inform your medical professional of all the medicines and supplements which you are currently taking.