Combined oral contraceptive pills: supporting an informed choice

A woman’s choice of contraception will be based on many factors, including efficacy, potential side effects, non-contraceptive benefits, cost and personal preference.⁵

Contraceptive counselling can provide evidence-based information on the safety, efficacy, advantages and disadvantages of all methods of contraception. This enables women to make choices based on their personal preferences and medical suitability.⁶ Safe prescribing, taking each woman’s risk factors into account, is paramount in this consultation.¹

Guidelines for the safe prescribing of contraception include the World Health Organization (WHO) medical eligibility criteria (MEC). The MEC considers the safety of various contraceptive methods in the context of specific health conditions. These conditions are graded 1-4 and can be viewed as a quick reference chart to facilitate decisions about the best contraceptive choice for an individual.  

Download the WHO MEC quick reference chart

For COCPs, Table 1 identifies conditions that have been graded 3 or 4, and are considered contraindications.

For more information see the quick reference chart outlining the WHO MEC

^a MEC 3 & 4 conditions are considered contraindications to the COCP.

MEC 3 is a condition where the theoretical or proven risks generally outweigh the advantages of using the method. The provision of a method requires expert clinical judgement and/or referral to a specialist contraceptive provider, since use of the method is not usually recommended unless other more appropriate methods are not available or acceptable.

MEC 4 is a condition that represents an unacceptable risk if the contraceptive method is used.

Depression

There has long been a hypothesis that use of the COCP is linked with depression. A 2016 prospective cohort study of 1,061,997 women reported that the relative risk (RR) of first time antidepressant use is 23% higher in COCP users (RR 1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22 to 1.25) when compared with non-users. Adolescents had a RR of 1.80 (95% CI 1.75 to 1.84).⁷

The study was based on registry data in Denmark, and concluded that the use of hormonal contraception, especially among adolescents, was associated with subsequent use of antidepressants and a first diagnosis of depression, suggesting depression as a potential adverse effect of hormonal contraceptive use.⁷

The authors suggest further studies are needed that investigate depression as a possible side effect of hormonal contraception to see if the results can be repeated in other populations.⁷

The COCP contains synthetic forms of both oestrogen and progesterone (progestogen). The COCP was introduced to Australia in 1961, and women rapidly adopted it as a reliable way to separate sex and reproduction and help them plan their children.^4,6

Despite the wide range of contraceptives currently available in Australia, the combined oral contraceptive pill remains the most commonly used method.¹

If a woman wishes to try the COCP, a number of things need to be considered before prescribing. It is important to allow enough time in your consultation (at least 20 minutes) to undertake a thorough medical and sexual history and discuss key points of information the woman needs to know.⁴ 

Medical and family

Do you have personal or family history of factors that increase the risk of:⁴

• venous thromboembolism (VTE)
  
• coronary artery disease
  
• hypertension
  
• diabetes
  
• hyperlipidaemia
  
• migraine with aura
  
• stroke
  
• transient ischaemic attack
  

What concurrent medicines are you on?⁴

Do you have conditions that might benefit from a particular sort of contraception like acne, hirsutism and heavy bleeding or pain?⁴

Sexual history

If she is sexually active, and you can clarify that this includes vaginal intercourse, ask about:⁴

• sexual and reproductive health
  
• current or previous use of contraception
  
• previous gynaecological procedures
  
• risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
  
• previous pregnancies and outcomes
  
• plan for future pregnancies
  

Menstrual cycle⁴

Ask about:

• dysmenorrhoea
  
• menorrhagia
  
• regularity
  
• cycle length
  
• date of last period to rule out pregnancy
  

Smoking⁴

If she is a smoker, which category is appropriate?

• < 15 cigarettes/day
  
• ≥ 15 cigarettes/day
  
• Stopped smoking < 1 year ago
  

Social

Ask your patient:

• What is your current relationship status?
  
• Do you need to conceal use of contraception?⁴
  
• Is there a planned routine to remember to take the COCP daily?⁴ 
  

• Measure blood pressure
  
• Assess body weight
  
• No other routine investigations are necessary
  

How the COCP works

• Brief explanation of the menstrual cycle and ovulation if necessary⁴
  
• COCP supresses ovulation and failure rate is 0.3% when used correctly⁴
  
• Advice on condoms to protect against STIs⁵
  
• Difference between hormone and inactive pills in the chosen pill pack⁵
  
• Differences between brands
  

How to start the pill

• How long it will take to work⁴
  
• Reminders, such as phone alerts⁵
  

Side effects

• General side effects
  
• More serious side effects
  

Reduced efficacy⁵

• Vomiting
  
• Concurrent use of liver enzyme-inducing medications
  

Missed pills

• What constitutes a missed pill
  
• Availability of emergency contraception⁴
  

Cost

Pills that are listed on the PBS are more affordable

Resources available from Family Planning NSW can aid the discussion

Consider prescribing a COCP if there are no medical contraindications. A COCP can be continued until the age of 50 years.⁴

A low-dose pill containing 35 micrograms or less ethinyloestradiol (EE) and levonorgestrel or norethisterone is the recommended first choice in Australia.⁵ This combination is considered to have the ‘gold standard’ safety profile, with a low risk of VTE.^5,6

Most low-dose pills (30/35 micrograms EE) are listed on the PBS and are cost-effective options.⁵

There are also even lower dose pills containing 20 micrograms EE. These are not listed on the PBS and are less likely to have good cycle control, with an increase in unscheduled bleeding.^5,6

The COCP is contraindicated for women:⁴

• less than 6 weeks postpartum and breastfeeding (MEC 4)
  
• breastfeeding ≥ 6 weeks to 6 months, fully or mostly breastfeeding (MEC 3).
  

Discuss the package directions with each patient as packaging in Australia varies. Some packaging directs women to start with an ‘active hormone pill’ and older packaging instructs women to start with either a placebo pill or an active pill depending on the time of their menstruation. These variations also result in a difference in when the COCP is effective, which can be immediate or up to 12 days.^4,5

In the past few decades, new progestogens have been introduced to help improve the androgenic effects of acne and hirsutism. These include cyproterone, dienogest, drospirenone, desogestrel and gestodene.  

Diane-35 contains 35 micrograms EE with cyproterone, and is TGA-approved for severe acne and hirsutism in women, but is not PBS-listed. It is only approved for short to medium-term treatment of these conditions, and is not recommended first-line as a contraceptive choice only.^3,8

Diane-35 is also available in Australia under the trade names Brenda-35, Juliet-35, Estelle-35, Laila-35, Carolyn-35 and Jene-35.^3,5,6

The evidence for benefit of the newer progestogens remains limited, and they are not PBS-listed. Further, they have an increased risk of VTE, compared with levonorgestrel and norethisterone pills,^5,6 and are more expensive.

A 2017 systemic review of 39 studies reported that COCPs led to significant reductions in acne lesion counts compared to placebo, however with increased odds of VTE. The review concluded that COCPs are safe and effective in patients with adult-onset acne refractory to conventional treatments. However, appropriate clinical examination, screening and individual risk assessment for VTE must be conducted.⁹

Many side effects are attributed to COCPs, but evidence of direct cause and effect is limited. General side effects include headache, nausea, breast tenderness, amenorrhoea, bloating, mood changes, reduced libido and weight gain.⁵

Breakthrough bleeding (BTB) is common in the first 1–2 packets but should settle. Lower dose pills containing 20 micrograms EE are more likely to cause BTB as they may give poorer cycle control than those containing 30 micrograms. Persistent BTB when the pill is taken correctly needs investigation.⁵

These general side effects usually settle with time.⁵

As a prescriber you should be aware of the serious risks, including the absolute risk for women of reproductive age. Serious risks include VTE, ischaemic stroke and myocardial infarct.⁴

VTE

COCPs increase the risk of VTE, but the absolute risk of VTE remains low, particularly for those without other risk factors, and is much lower than the risk during late pregnancy or the postnatal period. The risk is greatest in the first 4 months after initiation.^1,5,6

Oestrogen and VTE risk

The first COCPs contained relatively high doses of oestrogen, which was associated with a relatively high risk of VTE, due to the effect of oestrogen on the synthesis of clotting. The development of COCPs with lower doses of oestrogen, equivalent to 35 micrograms of EE or less, have since reduced this risk, without an apparent loss of contraceptive efficacy.^1,6

However, a lower risk of VTE for pills containing 20 micrograms EE is unproven for formulations available in Australia.⁴

Progesterone and VTE risk

On the basis of published studies, the TGA has concluded that the risk of VTE with use of products containing cyproterone acetate with EE, such as Diane-35, appears to be around 1.5 to 2 times higher than for COCPs containing the progesterone levonorgestrel, and may be around 4 times the risk for non-users of COCPs.³

However, evidence of this risk with cyproterone acetate is based on relatively small case-control studies.¹  Internationally, Diane-35 was temporarily suspended in France in 2013, following a number of deaths, and then reintroduced after 8 months when the European Commission evaluated it to be safe for use.^10,11

In Australia, although the TGA concluded that there is an increased risk of VTE in women prescribed pills containing cyproterone acetate with EE, it determined that the medicine’s benefits continue to outweigh the risks when used for the indications approved by the TGA and outlined in the Product Information (such as acne and hirsutism).³

Prescribers should be mindful of the contraindications and precautions outlined in the Product Information for products containing cyproterone with EE, and should:³

• weigh the clinical needs of each woman against the possible slight increase in the risk of VTE
  
• inform women about the increased risk of VTE
  
• educate women to recognise the signs and symptoms of VTE.

There is also an increased VTE risk with the third-generation progestogens desogestrel, gestodene and drospirenone, compared with the more androgenic second-generation progestogens levonorgestrel and norethisterone, however the evidence is limited.^4-6

A 2017 systematic review and meta-analysis assessing risk of VTE, focussing on drospirenone, concluded that VTE risk was, at worst, very small, and that choice of progestin should not be the sole factor considered when choosing the ‘right’ COCP for each woman.¹²

Assess for VTE risk as part of your history

A thorough history is important to assess individual patient risk. MECs for VTE and risk factors include:⁴

• history of VTE (MEC 4)
  
• current VTE (on anticoagulant) (MEC 4)
  
• VTE in first degree relative at age < 45 years (MEC 3)
  
• major surgery with prolonged immobilisation (MEC 4)
  
• immobility, unrelated to surgery, such as a long flight (MEC 3)
  
• known thrombogenic mutation (MEC 4).
  

Women should be advised of the risks of VTE with a COCP and be aware of the signs. Inform them that the risk increases with:¹³

• age
  
• smoking (with heavier smoking and increasing age the risk further increases, especially in women over 35 years of age)
  
• obesity (body mass index over 30 kg/m²)
  
• overweight
  
• dyslipidaemia
  
• hypertension
  
• migraine
  
• valvular heart disease^b
  
• atrial fibrillation.^b
  

If a woman is about to start a COCP but is travelling in a few weeks, consider delaying until she returns. For a woman already established on a COCP, provide general advice to reduce risks and mention compression stockings.

If a woman has a significant risk factor for VTE, no combined hormonal method will be suitable for her. Progestogen-only methods are safer for women with risk factors for VTE.^1,6

Provide general advice on the risk of VTE when starting the COCP. Advise women to contact their doctors immediately, or go to the nearest Emergency Department, if they develop any symptoms of blood clots, such as:³

• persistent leg pain or tenderness
  
• swelling, warmth and redness of the leg
  
• severe chest pain
  
• sudden shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
  

^b You are unlikely to have to discuss this risk with younger women.

Ischaemic stroke and myocardial infarct

Although COCP use is associated with an increased risk of ischaemic stroke and myocardial infarct, the absolute risk is very low for most women of reproductive age. Risks are highest in older women and in those with additional risk factors for cardiovascular disease.⁴ 

With the exception of rifampicin and rifabutin, antibiotics do not decrease the efficacy of COCPs and additional precautions are not needed during concurrent use.⁴

A COCP is not considered missed until it is more than 24 hours late, equivalent to 48 hours since the last pill was taken.⁴ Advise women to take the pill as soon as they remember and take the next one at the usual time. Highest risk of lack of contraceptive efficacy occurs if the active pill-free week is extended, for example forgetting to start a new packet.⁵

Family Planning NSW have a fact sheet on the COCP, which includes information on what to do after missing a pill. The PI and CMI for each individual medicine will also provide guidance on how to manage missed pills.⁴

It is important to discuss doubling up with condoms and access to emergency contraception with all pill users.⁴

Cost can be an important factor for women when selecting contraceptive methods.

Be mindful that not all COCPs are subsidised under the PBS.⁵

For example, only one of the low-dose 20 microgram EE and levonorgestrel (Femme-Tab ED 20/100) is currently PBS-listed.⁵

Since 2010, newer formulations containing oestradiol or its prodrug oestradiol valerate in place of EE have been available.¹ These are not PBS-listed.^1,5,6 None of the newer progestogens are listed on the PBS.^c,5

Out-of-pocket cost for newer non-PBS-listed pills can be up to $120 for 4 months.⁶

^c Newer progesterones include desogestrel, gestodene, cyproterone acetate, drospirenone, dienogest, and etonogestrel.

The evidence for one COCP over another in relation to troublesome side effects is limited, and it may take trial and error to find the most appropriate formulation to suit an individual woman.¹

Providing a short, 4-month prescription gives you the opportunity to review any adverse effects with patients after commencing the pill and to recheck blood pressure.

If a woman is experiencing adverse effects, trying another formulation may be helpful, but another form of contraception may be necessary.⁶

Strategies for managing common ‘general’ adverse effects of the COCP are outlined in Table 2 of Stewart M, Black K. Choosing a combined oral contraceptive pill. Aust Prescr 2015;38:6-11.

• Family Planning NSW resources for health professionals
  
• Family Planning NSW resources for consumers
  
• NPS MedicineWise’s MedicineFinder has consumer medicine information for all of the COCPs