Prescribing hormonal contraception in primary care

Hormonal contraceptives may be preferable to non-hormonal methods for some women because, in addition to preventing pregnancy, they can help manage menstrual-related symptoms such as acne, abdominal pain, irregular bleeding and mood changes. However, some forms of contraception may initially worsen symptoms, even when used for a short period after initiation. Professionals in primary care should consider contraceptive or ‘family planning’ appointments as an opportunity to optimise health promotion, including arranging cervical smears, sexually transmitted infection screening, or smoking cessation and weight loss support. This article will provide a brief overview of the hormonal contraceptive methods currently available in the UK.