22 Apr 2025 - Service Adjustment of FPAHK Yuen Long Birth Control Clinic (G/F) and Yuen Long FPAHK Anita Mui Health Centre (1/F) from 12 May 2025 (Monday)
31 Dec 2024 - Opening Hours of FPA Birth Control Clinics from January to December, 2025
Contraceptive pills containing synthetic hormones are taken orally for contraception. The mechanisms of contraceptive actions include the suppression of ovulation, and thickening of cervical mucus hence rendering it impervious to sperm. There are Progestogen Only Pills (POP) and Combined Oral Contraceptives (COC). They usually come in 21-day, 24-day or 28-day packs. If you start pills during the first 5 days of menses, there is no need to add condoms. You can start pills at any time if you are certain that you are not pregnant, and then abstain or use condoms for the next 7 days. Please take one tablet at about the same time every day, you can use apps with pill reminder and medication tracker function to assist you. If using the 21-day pack, there should be a break of 7 days before starting the next pack. For 24-day packs, there should be a break of 4 days before starting the next. For the 28-day pack, there is no break between finishing one pack and starting the next.
Nursing mothers less than 6 weeks postpartum; women with confirmed pregnancy, clotting disorders, cancer of the breast or reproductive organs, unexplained vaginal bleeding, chest pain due to heart disease, severe hypertension, migraine, cerebrovascular or coronary artery disease, thromboembolism/deep vein thrombosis, complicated valvular heart disease, diabetes with complications, active hepatitis, severe liver cirrhosis, benign or malignant liver tumour are contraindicated for the use of contraceptive pills.
The risk of adverse effects on the heart and blood vessels increases with age and with heavy smoking (15 or more cigarettes per day). Smokers over 35 years of age should stop taking COC.
Both POP and COC pills will not cause infertility, but it takes some time to resume regular ovulation after stopping the POP.
According to the Department of Health's guidelines, as of 28 June 2025, contraceptive medications must be prescribed by a registered doctor. If you wish to obtain contraceptive medications from our Association, please make an appointment to consult our doctors first. For our service details, please visit Birth Control Service webpage.
Progestogen Only Pills (POP)
Progestogen Only Pills contain progestogen only. Breastfeeding and postpartum women can use POP. Side effects include (but not exclusive of): nausea, weight gain, dizziness, headache, breast tenderness, fluid retention and mood changes. These symptoms are usually transient and disappear after a few weeks. Menstrual irregularities are common and persist with use. Some women will eventually be amenorrhoeic but this will not affect your health.
Combined Oral Contraceptives (COC)
Combined Oral Contraceptives contain estrogen and progestogen. If women take COC correctly and on time every day, the contraceptive effectiveness is very high, the failure rate is less than 1% with perfect use of COC. COC can reduce the risk for endometrial and ovarian cancers, pelvic inflammatory disease and ovarian cysts. It can reduce menstrual cramps, menstrual blood loss and makes cycle more regular, it can also reduces symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome and symptoms of endometriosis, and it can treat acne.
Minor side effects include nausea, dizziness, headache, breast tenderness, fluid retention and mood changes. These symptoms are usually transient and disappear after a few weeks. There is no clear evidence that COC causes weight gain. COC can be used safely by breastfeeding women 6 weeks after delivery and they should monitor milk production. If milk supply diminishes, COC should be stopped and re-stimulate supply with frequent breastfeeds.
Some studies showed a slightly increased risk of breast cancer in recent and current users. The risk will gradually decline after cessation of COC and will be like non-users 10 years after COC stopped. Both COC users and non-users can have breast cancer, so it is important for all women to be breast aware. There is a slight increase in risk for cervical cancer in COC users who have been infected with Human Papillomavirus. These women are advised to have regular cervical screening, use condom and quit smoking.
