Can you smoke on birth control?

Smokers can use most types of contraception. But your age plays an important role in working out what methods are likely to be safe and suitable for you. If you smoke and you're over 35 years old, some contraceptives with combined hormones (such as the combined pill, patch or the vaginal ring) might not be suitable for you.

This is because smokers over age 35 will have an increased risk of stroke and heart attack if they use the combined pill compared to non-smokers of the same age. If you're over 35 and smoke, you can consider the following types of contraceptive:

• hormonal coil

• non-hormonal coil

• contraceptive implant

• contraceptive injection

• progestogen only pill

Because of the increased risk related to smoking and using contraception, when you're talking to clinicians about contraception, it's really important to let them know that you smoke. This helps your clinician to recommend the safest types of methods of birth control which are most suitable for you.

Did you know the best way to stop smoking is with specialist support and treatment? You can find free, local services or you can speak to your GP.