![Does the contraceptive pill increase your risk of blood clots?](/web/20240804061938im_/https://patient.info/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.ctfassets.net%2Fxxv4b9mbhlgd%2Fimg_8912%2Fa82e777242d8c8de9072cb72f6ec796b%2Faa6128c6-43ba-44e0-bc09-a3687bc766c6.jpg&w=1600&q=75)
Contraceptive medicines
Contraceptive medicines contain female hormones that are taken by women to prevent pregnancy from occurring. Hormonal contraception is available as tablets, patches, long-acting injections, implants and intra-uterine devices. Oestrogen-based hormones such as ethinylestradiol work to prevent ovulation whilst progestogens such as norethisterone affect the womb to make fertilisation and implantation of an egg less likely.