Microgynon is a combined contraceptive pill that’s been proven to be 99% effective in preventing pregnancy (when taken as prescribed). It can also help relieve the symptoms of PCOS and acne while also making heavy or painful periods more manageable.

Its main active ingredients are ethinylestradiol (oestrogen) and levonorgestrel (progesterone). These two hormones work to prevent pregnancy by stopping your ovaries from releasing an egg, meaning there’s no egg to be fertilised. They also thicken the mucus in your cervix, and stop the lining of your womb thickening. This makes it difficult for sperm to enter the womb and stops your womb thickening enough for any fertilised egg to implant itself in it. All of this combined keeps you nearly 100% protected from pregnancy, provided you’re taking your pill as prescribed.

Microgynon is available in a 21 pill pack and a 28 pill pack (called Microgynon ED).