Regular Contraception

Regular Contraception Treatment

At 24 HR Pharmacy

Regular contraception is ongoing birth control used to prevent pregnancy on a daily basis. It works mainly by:

Stopping ovulation (no egg released)
Thickening cervical mucus so sperm struggle to get through
Thinning the womb lining, making it harder for a fertilised egg to implant

See Treatment Options

Your Treatment Options

Rigevidon

Cerelle

Cerazette

Compare Your Options

Below is a comparison for Regular Contraception treatment grouped into three treatment "families":

	Desogestrel POP 75mcg (Cerazette / Cerelle)	Standard 30/150 COC (Levest / Rigevidon)	Qlaira (estradiol valerate + dienogest)
Type of pill	Progestogen-only pill (mini pill) – desogestrel 75mcg.	Combined oral contraceptive (COC) – ethinylestradiol 30mcg + levonorgestrel 150mcg.	Multi-phase combined pill with oestrogen closer to natural estradiol (estradiol valerate) + dienogest.
How it's taken*	1 tablet every day with no breaks – you take it continuously at the same time each day.	Usually 1 tablet daily for 21 days, then a 7-day break (or placebo pills), then repeat; other regimens (shorter breaks or continuous use) may be advised.	Follow the coloured tablets in order in a 28-day pack (active + placebo tablets); no break between packs.
Missed pill window	Desogestrel POP: if you're >12 hours late, it counts as a missed pill; follow missed-pill advice and use condoms for a time.	Combined pills usually have a 24-hour window – but guidance depends on brand and how many pills are missed. Follow the leaflet or NHS missed-pill advice.	Same principles as other combined pills – but because the pack is multi-phase, you must follow the brand-specific missed-pill rules in the leaflet.
Who it often suits	Those who can't take oestrogen (migraine with aura, smokers ≥35, some clot risks), or prefer a pill with no hormone-free break; can be used in breastfeeding after the early postnatal period.	Those with no major combined-pill risk factors who like a predictable pattern and often want control of bleeding, cramps, acne etc. Levest/Rigevidon are well-established COCs.	Those wanting a combined pill option that uses an oestrogen closer to natural estradiol and is also licensed to treat heavy periods in suitable women.
Pros	No oestrogen; can be used where many COCs are unsuitable; 12-hour missed-pill window (more forgiving than older POPs).	Helps make periods lighter, more regular and less painful; very familiar to clinicians; lots of guidance/experience.	May improve heavy bleeding and some cycle symptoms; some people prefer that it uses estradiol valerate rather than ethinylestradiol.
Key cautions	Still a hormonal method – may cause irregular bleeding, mood or skin changes, breast tenderness. Very long-term use should be reviewed periodically like any hormonal contraception.	Not suitable for some people with clot risk (VTE, stroke), certain migraines, severe hypertension, smokers >35, some cancers or liver disease. Small but real blood clot and breast-cancer risk.	Same combined-pill cautions as other COCs (VTE, stroke, cancer risks), and needs careful adherence to the complex pack order.

*Always follow the instructions on your own pack and dispensing label, as regimens can vary by brand and by prescriber advice.

← Swipe to see more →

Who Is Eligible?

This online service is for people in the UK who need ongoing contraception and are medically suitable for the pill.

You may be suitable if:

You're not pregnant, and you want to:
- Start a pill for the first time, restart after a break, or
- Switch from another pill or method
You do not have:
- A history of blood clots (DVT/PE), stroke, or serious heart disease (important for combined pills)
- Certain oestrogen-sensitive cancers, severe liver disease, or unexplained vaginal bleeding
You're happy to take a tablet every day roughly at the same time

If combined pills aren't suitable, a desogestrel POP (Cerazette/Cerelle) may be offered instead in many cases.

You may not be suitable for online pill prescribing if:

It's safer to be seen face-to-face (GP / sexual health clinic) if you:

Have ever had a blood clot (DVT/PE), stroke, or certain clotting disorders
Have migraine with aura, severe uncontrolled high blood pressure, major cardiovascular disease, or severe liver disease
Have or have had breast cancer, some other hormone-sensitive cancers, or unexplained vaginal bleeding
Need long-acting methods (implant, injection, IUD/IUS) – those require in-person fitting

Important: If you develop sudden chest pain, breathlessness, coughing blood, or a painful swollen leg, seek urgent medical help – these can be signs of a blood clot.

Why choose 24 HR Pharmacy

Pharmacist-led: Every request is checked by a UK-registered prescriber against your medical history and current medicines.
Fast, discreet service: Simple online questionnaire, clear next steps, and discreet delivery to your door.
Ongoing support: Guidance on using your treatment safely, plus practical lifestyle tips to help you get results.
Transparent and responsible: We prescribe only when it is safe and appropriate, and we will suggest alternatives if a medicine is not right for you.

How Our Online Service Works?

Simple, safe, and designed around you. Here is what happens from start to finish.

Quick Online Consultation

You complete a short, confidential questionnaire covering:

Your cycle & contraception history – when your last period was, how regular your cycles are, whether you're starting, restarting or switching contraception
Medical history & risk factors – blood clots (DVT/PE), stroke, heart disease, migraine with aura, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking status, diabetes, liver disease, certain cancers, unexplained vaginal bleeding
Medicines you take now – epilepsy, TB, HIV medicines, some antifungals, lamotrigine, St John's wort – which can reduce pill effectiveness

This allows the prescriber to decide if a combined pill (COC) or progestogen-only pill (POP) is safest, and which product from your list fits best.

Reviewed by a UK Prescriber

A UK-registered clinician will:

Check whether you're medically suitable for combined pills (Levest, Rigevidon, Qlaira) or progestogen-only pills (Cerazette, Cerelle)
Approve, adjust, or decline based on your answers
Provide guidance on starting, missed pills, and when protection begins

Fast, Discreet Delivery

Once approved, your contraceptive pill is dispensed from our UK-registered pharmacy and delivered in plain, discreet packaging.

Clear instructions on how to start (new start vs switch)
What to do if you miss a pill
When you'll be protected

2000+ Happy Customers

★★★★★

Rating 4.9/5