One of the most popular contraceptive options available in the UK is the contraceptive pill, historically women have been advised to take a seven-day break to help regulate hormones and thus induce menstruation.
However, the reproductive health body setting standards for the NHS has produced new guidance which says it is safe to take the contraceptive pill without a break.
The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) has also revealed that there is no health benefit to a seven-day break while taking the combined contraceptive pill.
Experts hope the updated advice can help prevent more unwanted pregnancies.
The new and approved clinical guidelines confirm the direction already given by many doctors, which is advising their patients against the seven-day break while on the pill.
If these guidelines are followed, medical experts expect 365-day pill prescriptions to become widespread in the UK.
Dr Diana Mansour, Vice President for Clinical Quality at FSRH, said: “The guidelines suggest that by taking fewer hormone-free intervals – or shortening them to four days – it is possible that women could reduce the risk of getting pregnant on combined hormonal contraception.”
In addition, the Family Planning Association has produced a new leaflet explaining the effectiveness of combined hormonal contraception.
You can find out more about the range of contraceptive services available at Harrow Health Care Centre at https://bit.ly/2SlIzNP
