Concierge contraception · London
The combined pill, prescribed properly.
A full contraception consultation with a FSRH-aligned clinician — a proper UK MEC screen, the pill family that fits your body and your life, and all the alternatives on the table before you commit.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A contraception-trained GP or gynaecologist
Not a five-minute pill renewal. A clinician who knows the FSRH guidance and the whole method landscape — not just the pill in front of you.
- 02
A proper UK MEC safety screen
Age, smoking, migraine, BMI, blood pressure, clots — checked properly, so the pill you leave with is one that is genuinely safe for you.
- 03
All the options on the table
Combined pill, progestogen-only pill, coil, implant, injection. We explain what fits your life — not just what fits our clinic.
Indicative pricing
What a private contraception consultation costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures within one working day.
In short
An initial consultation and a three-month prescription: £165–£325, all in.
| Service | Indicative range | Typical duration | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial contraception consultation | £150–£280 | 30 min | Same visit |
| Follow-up / review consultation | £90–£160 | 15–20 min | Same visit |
| Three-month pill prescription | £15–£45 | — | Same day |
| Six-month pill prescription | £25–£70 | — | Same day |
| BP and BMI check (in clinic) | Included | 10 min | Same visit |
| Switch consultation (pill to LARC) | £180–£320 | 30 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by clinic and clinician. The pill itself is inexpensive; the value is in the assessment, the MEC screen and the review — not in the packet.
The problem
A five-minute pill renewal is not contraception care.
The combined pill is safe for most, unsafe for a specific few, and better suited to some lives than others. Getting that right needs more than a repeat script.
-
Not sure the pill suits you?
A proper UK MEC screen tells you honestly — and offers you the coil, implant or POP if it does not.
-
Side effects on your current pill?
Bleeding, mood, headaches — often solved by a different progestogen, a different regimen, or a different method entirely.
-
Want to skip periods safely?
Extended and continuous regimens are safe and evidence-supported — but need explaining, not guessing.
The journey
From enquiry to three-month review — what happens, in order.
One clinician from first message to review — including the safety-net at three months.
Phase 1 · Before your consultation
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
The MEC screen and first prescription
Phase 3 · After
Three-month review
- 01
Before
You tell us what you need
A short, confidential form. Whether it is contraception, cycle control, acne, PMS or endometriosis — and what you have tried before.
- 02
Before
We come back with a shortlist
Within one working day: a suggested pill family, the alternatives, and any tests worth doing before we start.
- 03
Before
We arrange the consultation
Usually within a week. Blood pressure, BMI and a UK MEC screen are covered — in person or by video where safe.
- 04
On the day
The consultation itself
A proper history, the MEC screen, and a clear explanation of how to take the pill you have chosen — traditional, extended or continuous.
- 05
On the day
Prescription and starter pack
A three-month starting prescription, written instructions on missed pills, and a plan for what to do if things do not settle.
- 06
On the day
Home the same day
You leave with a plan, not just a packet. Emergency contraception advice included in case a pill is missed.
- 07
After
Three-month review
A review at three months to check tolerance, bleeding pattern, blood pressure and whether the pill is still the right fit.
Typical end-to-end: 1–2 weeks from enquiry to first prescription. Review: at 3 months.
When it helps
What the combined pill is genuinely good for.
Contraception is only one of the reasons a COC gets prescribed. The others matter, and so does the one big caveat.
-
Reliable daily contraception
Over 99% effective with perfect use, around 91% with typical use. Reversible the moment you stop.
-
Heavy or painful periods
Lighter, more predictable bleeds — often the first-line medical treatment for menorrhagia and dysmenorrhoea.
-
Cycle regulation and tailored regimens
Traditional 21/7, extended-cycle or continuous use to skip periods around events, exams or travel.
-
PMS and PMDD
Continuous or extended dosing can flatten the hormonal swings that drive premenstrual symptoms.
-
Acne and androgenic symptoms
Anti-androgenic progestogens (e.g. drospirenone) can improve acne, oily skin and mild hirsutism.
-
Endometriosis pain
Continuous COC use suppresses ovulation and reduces cyclical pelvic pain in endometriosis.
-
Ovarian cyst and cancer risk reduction
Long-term use is associated with reduced risk of ovarian, endometrial and colorectal cancer.
-
Red flag: not for everyone
Migraine with aura, prior VTE, uncontrolled hypertension or age > 35 with smoking > 15/day rule the COC out — we screen for these before prescribing.
Pill options
Not all combined pills are the same.
The pill families that get used most in the UK — plus the newer estradiol-based options and the way we dose them.
-
Monophasic ethinylestradiol pills
One hormone dose per active pill — the standard first-choice COC, familiar and well-studied.
-
Low-dose EE pills (20 mcg)
Lower oestrogen content for those prone to breast tenderness or mood side effects.
-
Phasic pills
Hormone dose varies through the pack — sometimes chosen when bleeding control is a problem on monophasics.
-
Estradiol-based pills
Use natural estradiol or estradiol valerate rather than ethinylestradiol — a newer, more physiological option.
-
Natural-cycle regimens (Qlaira)
A quadriphasic estradiol valerate pill designed to mimic the natural cycle more closely.
-
Extended-cycle regimens
Nine or twelve weeks of active pills followed by a short break — fewer periods per year.
-
Continuous (tricycling / no break)
Active pills taken without a pill-free interval — used for endometriosis, PMDD or simply preference.
-
Tailored regimens
A flexible approach where the pill-free interval is triggered only by breakthrough bleeding — increasingly evidence-supported.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of clinicians, we picked them.
GPs and gynaecologists across central, north, west and south London with dedicated contraception training. Introductions are private, once we understand what you need.
Selection criteria
How we choose every clinician in our network.
-
GPs and gynaecologists with FSRH-aligned contraception training
-
A proper UK MEC screen, not a five-minute renewal
-
LARC (coil, implant) alternatives openly discussed
-
Three-month reviews built into every prescription
Safety and side effects
The honest safety picture.
The combined pill is safe for most, unsafe for a specific few, and worth switching if a real risk appears. Here is what to know before starting and what to watch for after.
-
UK MEC categories 3 and 4
Age > 35 with smoking > 15/day, BMI > 35, migraine with aura, current or past VTE, known thrombophilia, uncontrolled hypertension, active breast cancer, complex diabetes with vascular disease, prolonged immobility, > 4 weeks post-partum breastfeeding or > 6 weeks post-partum non-breastfeeding all make the COC unsafe or higher risk.
-
VTE risk is real but small
Absolute risk of clot is around 5–12 per 10,000 women per year on the COC — higher than off it, still lower than pregnancy. Newer progestogens carry slightly higher risk than levonorgestrel.
-
Missed pill rules matter
One missed pill: take it now, no extra cover needed. Two or more, or a late start: 7 days of condoms, and emergency contraception if unprotected sex has happened.
-
Interactions to know
Rifampicin, some anti-epileptics (carbamazepine, phenytoin, topiramate) and St John’s wort reduce COC effectiveness — a different method may be needed while taking them.
-
Blood pressure needs checking
BP is checked before starting and at each review. A rising BP is a reason to switch method, not to keep going and hope.
-
Non-contraceptive benefits are real
Lighter periods, less pain, clearer skin, fewer ovarian cysts, and a reduced long-term risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer.
-
Fertility returns quickly
Ovulation typically returns within one to three months of stopping the pill — there is no long-term effect on future fertility.
-
Breakthrough bleeding is common early
Spotting in the first three months is normal and usually settles. Persistent bleeding beyond three months needs review, not just reassurance.
-
Red flags
Sudden severe headache, focal migraine or new aura, unilateral leg swelling, chest pain or breathlessness, jaundice, a new breast lump or uncontrolled BP — stop the pill and seek same-day medical help.
Reading your prescribing plan
Your plan in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever pill you leave with, the plan the clinician writes for you keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
A pill packet without a plan is a script, not care.
If you want us to talk you through your plan again before your review, just ask.
- 01 History
Indication and previous methods
Why you want the pill — contraception, cycle control, acne, endometriosis — and what you have tried or reacted to before.
- 02 MEC screen
UK MEC risk categorisation
Age, smoking, BMI, migraine history, personal and family VTE, BP, breast history — the checks that decide whether the COC is safe for you.
- 03 Plan
Chosen pill, regimen and start day
Which pill, at what dose, taken in which regimen (traditional, extended, continuous or tailored), and how to start it safely.
- 04 Safety-net
Missed pill rules and review timing
Read this first: what to do if a pill is missed, when emergency contraception is needed, and when you will be reviewed.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover for contraception varies by insurer and by indication — often included where the pill is prescribed for gynaecological problems, usually self-pay for contraception alone. We confirm cover before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about the combined pill.
Straight answers on effectiveness, missed pills, side effects and the safer alternatives.
-
How effective is the combined pill if I sometimes forget one?
Perfect use is over 99% but typical real-world use — including the occasional missed pill — drops it to around 91%, which is why LARC methods like the coil or implant are more reliable in practice. If forgetting is your pattern, a London sexual-health consultant will usually suggest switching or adding a back-up plan rather than doubling down on the pill.
-
What is the difference between the combined pill and the mini-pill?
The combined pill (COC) contains both an oestrogen (usually ethinylestradiol, sometimes estradiol) and a progestogen. The progestogen-only pill (POP or mini-pill) contains only a progestogen. The POP is safer in women who cannot have oestrogen — migraine with aura, VTE history, high BP, smoking over 35 — but has less predictable bleeding.
-
Can I take the pill continuously to skip periods?
Yes. Taking active pills without a break — continuous or tricycling regimens — is safe and increasingly recommended for endometriosis, PMDD or simple preference. The FSRH updated its guidance in 2019 to reflect this.
-
Who should not take the combined pill?
The main UK MEC 4 (absolute) contraindications are: migraine with aura, current or past VTE, known thrombophilia, uncontrolled hypertension, active breast cancer, complex diabetes with vascular complications, and age > 35 with smoking > 15 cigarettes a day. BMI > 35, prolonged immobility and less than 6 weeks post-partum are MEC 3 (usually avoid).
-
What happens if I miss a pill?
One missed pill (up to 24 hours late): take it as soon as you remember and continue as normal — no extra cover needed. Two or more missed pills, or a late start: take the most recent missed pill, use condoms for 7 days, and consider emergency contraception if you have had unprotected sex in the last few days.
-
Does the pill make you gain weight?
The best evidence — including Cochrane reviews — shows no consistent link between the combined pill and weight gain. Some individuals do notice fluid changes early on that usually settle.
-
How much does a private contraception consultation cost?
Roughly £150–£280 for an initial consultation, and £15–£45 for a three-month pill prescription. Follow-up reviews are £90–£160. We confirm firm figures within one working day.
-
Which medications interact with the combined pill?
Rifampicin and rifabutin are the main antibiotic problem. Enzyme-inducing anti-epileptics (carbamazepine, phenytoin, topiramate, phenobarbital), some HIV medications, and St John’s wort all reduce COC effectiveness. Most other antibiotics do not.
-
When should I see a doctor urgently?
Sudden severe headache, new focal migraine or aura, one-sided leg swelling or pain, chest pain or breathlessness, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or a new breast lump — stop the pill and seek same-day medical help.
Related
Looking for something else?
-
Coil (IUD / IUS) insertion and removal
Long-acting reversible contraception — the most effective non-permanent option.
Learn more -
Hormonal blood tests
Baseline hormone panels to guide contraceptive and gynaecological decisions.
Learn more -
All tests and procedures
Every test and procedure we arrange.
Learn more -
Hypertension
Related condition guide.
Learn more -
Type 2 Diabetes
Related condition guide.
Learn more -
Blood Tests
Related diagnostic test.
Learn more -
Health Assessments Select
Related diagnostic test.
Learn more
In practice, in London
Where combination birth control pills sits in a private London pathway
For combination birth control pills, the private London route is mostly about consultant fit and hospital choice rather than raw waiting time. Public provision for combination birth control pills is competent but constrained by capacity. Private London clinics tend to have shorter diaries and longer appointment slots, so you get the same specialists with more time. For people who’ve been going round in circles with primary care, that first proper conversation is often what shifts things.
A typical private booking for combination birth control pills in London starts with a consultant conversation — sometimes in person on Harley Street or Marylebone, sometimes on video if that suits better. Any imaging or diagnostics happen at a nearby CQC-registered facility, and reports usually land within 24 to 72 hours. The whole loop, from first call to written report, is often done inside a fortnight. For combination birth control pills in particular, we bias towards consultants who do this every week rather than every month.
Where a good concierge earns its keep is in the matching. There are dozens of consultants in London who see combination birth control pills — but not all of them are the right fit for every case. We narrow it down based on subspecialty, insurer coverage, the specific question being asked, and whether continuity into treatment matters. The right first appointment saves you from repeating yourself later.