Find the best contraception for you
To assist you in finding the best fit, we prescribe all birth control brands for the pill or patch available in South Africa
How this page can help you
First time user? Get guidance on choosing a contraceptive method
Managing Medical Conditions? Find recommendations for brands addressing specific needs like acne, PCOS, and more
Affordability? Find affordable contraception solutions that fit your budget
We know our stuff but...
- This page is only for guidance
- Everyones body is different. What works for the majority may not work for you
- Birth control often involves trial and error; it's a natural part of the process that can't be avoided when looking for a suitable method
Contraceptive brands that can help manage medical conditions
Recommendations
These recommendations are only general guidelines provided by medical experts.
No guarantee
Given that everyone's body and medical background are unique, there's no assurance that a particular contraceptive method will be effective for you until you've given it a try.
Cost
We've provided pharmacy prices to give you an estimate of what you might pay at most pharmacies in SA.
Our contraception
How much time should I give my body to adjust to a new birth control method?
It is generally recommended that you take a new birth control pill or patch for 2 to 3 months to see how your body adjusts. This timeframe allows for any potential side effects, such as irregular bleeding or mood changes, to subside as your body adjusts to the hormones.
If you're still having problems after three months (or if the side effects have become severe during this time), talk to your doctor about switching to another type of birth control. If you are a Get My Pill patient you can send a query here with your order number: here
Progestin-only pills
Progestin (synthetic progesterone) and no estrogen are found in progestin-only pills. Another name for this kind of pill is the Minipill. Unfortunately in South Africa, most pharmacies do not have stock of the Minipill.
Progestin-only pills available in South Africa
At present most pharmacies have stock of two pills that are considered progesterone-only pills which are Microval and Hy-an. Because Microval and Hy-an only contain the synthetic hormone levonorgestrel, a form of progestin, and no estrogen, they are both regarded as progestin-only pills (POPs).
What do progesterone-only pills help with?
Progestin-only medications can lessen bleeding in those who experience heavy menstruation.
For those who are unable to take estrogen due to medical conditions or other factors, such as a history of deep vein thrombosis, heart disease, stroke, migraines with aura, or peripheral vascular disease, they might be a good option.
If you smoke and are over 35, you should also stay away from estrogen as this combination can raise your risk of blood clots.
When using progestin-only medications, every pill in the cycle is active. You may or may not get your period while taking progestin-only pills because there are no inactive ingredients.
Combination pills
Oral contraceptives with a combination of estrogen and progestin are referred to as combination birth control pills.
Both "active" and "inactive" pills are found in most packets. Hormones are present in active tablets. Hormones are absent from inactive pills, sometimes referred to as placebo pills. The hormone-free, inactive pills might serve as useful reminders to help you maintain the pill-taking habit.
2 types of packs
28-day pack of pills: Take the active pills for 21 days and the inactive pills for 7 days in 28-day packs. The week of inactivity will cause you to bleed. (The bleeding isn't related to menstruation. Rather, it is your body's reaction to not having hormones.)
21-day packs: Take active pills for 21 days, followed by seven days without pills. During the pill-free week, you will experience bleeding. (Set reminders to ensure you start a new pack on day 29.)