How To Switch Your Contraceptive

How to switch your contraceptive

Medically reviewed by Dr Melanie Davis-Hall

on Apr 17, 2023

This information can help you better understand how to safely start or switch to a different contraceptive method. It is based on guidance from the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health in the UK and should never be used as a substitute for medical advice
You should always consult a healthcare professional if you have any questions or concerns
If contraception is not used correctly there is always a potential risk of pregnancy, even if the actions suggested below are followed

So you’ve made a decision and you’re about to start your new contraceptive or switch to a different option. If you’re not quite there with your decision, you can still use our contraception reviews, take our contraception quiz to recommend the best contraceptive for you, or get advice from our women’s health doctors. We wish switching could be simple, but, as with everything contraception related it can be complicated. We also recognise that switching between contraceptive methods can be a risky time for pregnancy if not done correctly. To make sure you’re starting or switching your contraceptive safely and to keep protected against pregnancy – follow the tables below.

Starting contraception for the first time or after a break from contraception

Current Sitch	Starting on

	Combined pill, patch or ring	Progestogen only pill (desogestrel pill or Micronor, Noriday, Norgeston)	Slynd	Injection
You’re in the first 5 days of your period	On most brands, you’re protected and good to go However, for Drovelis, Qlaira and Zoely, you must start on the FIRST day of your period	You’re protected and good to go	You’re protected and good to go only for the FIRST day of your period	You’re protected and good to go
Any other time in your cycle as long as you’ve not had unprotected sex (without a condom) since your last period OR if you don’t have periods, as long as you’ve not had unprotected sex (without a condom) in the last 3 weeks and a pregnancy test is negative before you start the contraceptive	Start and use condoms for 7 days	Start and use condoms for 2 days	Start and use condoms for 7 days	Start and use condoms for 7 days
If you have had unprotected sex (without a condom) since your last period OR if you don’t have periods, if you have had unprotected sex in the last 3 weeks. In this case, we recommend speaking to a healthcare professional, as you may require emergency contraception.	Start and use condoms for 7 days Check a pregnancy test in 3 weeks	Start and use condoms for 2 days Check a pregnancy test in 3 weeks	Start and use condoms for 7 days Check a pregnancy test in 3 weeks	Ideally, use a more short term contraceptive such as a pill or condoms for the next 3 weeks. This is to allow you to check a pregnancy test in 3 weeks time, before you start a longterm contraceptive like the injection. OR Start and use condoms for 7 days and check a pregnancy test in 3 weeks

Switching from the combined pill, ring or patch to another method.

NB: This is only accurate if you have taken the method correctly with no missed pills, patches or rings in the last month.

TOP TIP: The easiest way to switch is to continue using your combined contraceptive for at least 7 days before making the change.

The Lowdown offer all kinds of contraception methods available to buy, including birth control pills like Yasmin, as well as mini pills like Hana, vaginal rings, hormone patches and more.

Current Sitch	Switching to
	Combined pill, patch or ring	Progestogen only pill (desogestrel pill or Micronor, Noriday, Norgeston)	Slynd	Injection

If you’ve taken your combined pill, patch or ring for the previous 7 days in a row	You’re protected and good to go	You’re protected and good to go	You’re protected and good to go	You’re protected and good to go
If you’re in the first or second day of a break	You’re protected and good to go	You’re protected and good to go	You’re protected and good to go	You’re protected and good to go
If you’re on day 3 to 7 of your break and you have NOT had unprotected sex (without a condom) since the start of the break	Start and use condoms for 7 days	Start and use condoms for 2 days	Start and use condoms for 7 days	Start and use condoms for 7 days
If you’re on day 3 to 7 of your break and you HAVE had unprotected sex (without a condom) since the start of the break	Keep using the pill, patch or ring correctly for another 7 days in a row, then you can make a switch and be protected straight away
If you’re in the 1st week after a break and you have NOT had unprotected sex (without a condom) since the start of the break	Start and use condoms for 7 days	Start and use condoms for 2 days	Start and use condoms for 7 days	Start and use condoms for 7 days
If you’re in the 1st week after a break and you HAVE had unprotected sex (without a condom) since the start of the break	Keep using the pill, patch or ring correctly for another 7 days in a row, then you can make a switch and be protected straight away

Switching from the mini-pill / progestogen only methods

NB: This is only accurate if you have taken the method correctly with no missed pills.

TOP TIP: If you’re thinking of having the hormonal coil removed and switching to another method, start the new method 7 days BEFORE the hormonal coil is removed. This is safe, and means you can be protected as soon as the coil is removed. If you don’t start a new method before it is taken out, then avoid sex for the 7 days before your removal appointment.

Current Sitch	Switching to
	Combined pill, patch or ring	Progestogen only pill (desogestrel pill or Micronor, Noriday, Norgeston)	Slynd	Injection

Traditional progestogen only pills (Noregeston, Noriday or Micronor)	Start and use condoms for 7 days	You’re protected and good to go	Start and use condoms for 7 days	Start and use condoms for 7 days
Desogestrel progestogen only pill (Desogestrel, Cerazette, Cerelle)	You’re protected and good to go	You’re protected and good to go	Start and use condoms for 7 days	You’re protected and good to go
Slynd (If you are between pills 8 to 24 of a packet)	You’re protected and good to go	You’re protected and good to go	You’re protected and good to go	You’re protected and good to go
Slynd (If you are between pills 1 to 7 of a packet OR between the placebo pills 25 to 28 and you have NOT had sex without a condom since starting this packet)	Start and use condoms for 7 days	Start and use condoms for 2 days	You’re protected and good to go	Start and use condoms for 7 days
Slynd (If you are between pills 1 to 7 of a packet OR between the placebo pills 25 to 28 and you HAVE had sex without a condom since starting this packet)	Keep taking Slynd for 7 full more days then switch to your new method and you’ll be protected from pregnancy straight away	Keep taking Slynd for 7 full more days then switch to your new method and you’ll be protected from pregnancy straight away	You’re protected and good to go	Start the injection but continue to take Slynd for 7 full more days until you are protected from pregnancy
Implant (if you have had it for less than 3 years)	You’re protected and good to go	You’re protected and good to go	You’re protected and good to go	You’re protected and good to go
Injection (only if it has been less than 14 weeks since your last injection)	You’re protected and good to go	You’re protected and good to go	You’re protected and good to go	You’re protected and good to go
Injection (if you are over 14 weeks since your injection but have NOT had sex or have USED CONDOMS since the injection was due)	Start and use condoms for 7 days	Start and use condoms for 2 days	Start and use condoms for 7 days	Start and use condoms for 7 days
Injection (if you are over 14 weeks since your injection but HAVE had sex WITHOUT a condom since the injection was due) In this case, we recommend speaking to a healthcare professional, as you may require emergency contraception.	Start and use condoms for 7 days Check a pregnancy test in 3 weeks	Start and use condoms for 2 days Check a pregnancy test in 3 weeks	Start and use condoms for 7 days Check a pregnancy test in 3 weeks	Ideally, use a more short term contraceptive such as a pill or condoms for the next 3 weeks. This is to allow you to check a pregnancy test in 3 weeks time, before you start a longterm contraceptive. OR Start and use condoms for 7 days and check a pregnancy test in 3 weeks
Hormonal coil (only if you have NOT had sex or have USED CONDOMS in the 7 days before switching to a new method and having it removed)	Start and use condoms for 7 days	Start and use condoms for 2 days	Start and use condoms for 7 days	Start and use condoms for 7 days
Hormonal coil (if you HAVE had sex WITHOUT a condom in the 7 days before switching to a new method)	Keep the hormonal coil in for 7 days after starting the new method – rebook the removal appointment

Switching from the copper coil

If you’re having your copper coil removed, you can start a hormonal method while it is still in. If you have used the hormonal method for 7 days before removal, you’re protected against pregnancy straight away. If you are not starting a hormonal method, avoid sex or use condoms for 7 days before the copper coil is removed.

Current Sitch	Switching to	Switching to		Switching to
	Combined pill, patch or ring	Progestogen only pill (desogestrel pill or Micronor, Noriday, Norgeston)	Slynd	Injection

You’re in days 1 to 5 of your period	With most brands, you’re protected and good to go. However, for Drovelis, Qlaira and Zoely, you must start on the FIRST day of your period	You’re protected and good to go	You’re protected and good to go only for the FIRST day of your period	You’re protected and good to go
If you are after day 5 of your period and you have NOT had unprotected sex (without a condom) in the last 7 days	Start and use condoms for 7 days	Start and use condoms for 2 days	Start and use condoms for 7 days	Start and use condoms for 7 days
If you are after day 5 of your period and you HAVE had unprotected sex (without a condom) in the last 7 days	Keep the copper coil in for 7 days after starting the new method – rebook the removal appointment

Switching contraceptives if you’ve not been using your current method properly

If you have missed some pills recently, have been late giving your patch, pill or injection or your implant or coil has expired, follow the instructions below.

Current Sitch	Switching to
	Combined pill, patch or ring	Progestogen only pill (desogestrel pill or Micronor, Noriday, Norgeston)	Slynd	Injection

You have NOT had unprotected sex (without a condom) in the last 3 weeks AND your current pregnancy test is negative	Start and use condoms for 7 days	Start and use condoms for 2 days	Start and use condoms for 7 days	Start and use condoms for 7 days
You HAVE had unprotected sex (without a condom) in the last 3 weeks AND your current pregnancy test is negative In this case, we recommend speaking to a healthcare professional, as you may require emergency contraception.	Start and use condoms for 7 days Check a pregnancy test in 3 weeks	Start and use condoms for 2 days Check a pregnancy test in 3 weeks	Start and use condoms for 7 days Check a pregnancy test in 3 weeks	Ideally, use a more short term contraceptive such as a pill for the next 3 weeks. This is to allow you to check a pregnancy test in 3 weeks time, before you start a longterm contraceptive like the injection. OR Start and use condoms for 7 days and check a pregnancy test in 3 weeks

Switching to the Implant or Coil

When you have an implant or coil fitted or removed, your healthcare professional should explain to you how to ensure you remain protected against pregnancy when starting or switching methods. We recommend discussing this with your healthcare provider when you book the implant or coil appointment, or in the pre-fitting phone call. If your contraceptive injection, such as Sayana Press is late or your implant or coil has expired, it is important to use condoms until you switch methods.