Page 3 - Harminder Kaur

Missing a contraceptive pill is something most women experience at some point. The good news is that in many cases your contraceptive protection remains intact as long as you act promptly and correctly. The guidance differs depending on which type of pill you take, how many you have missed, and where you are in your packet.

Pharmacy Planet provides a range of contraceptive pills and emergency contraception through its online prescribing service.

The Combined Pill: What to Do If You Miss One

The combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) contains oestrogen and progestogen. Most are taken for 21 days followed by a 7-day break.

If You Miss One Pill and Remember Within 24 Hours

Take it as soon as you remember, even if that means taking two pills in one day. Your contraceptive protection is maintained. Continue taking the rest of your pack as normal.

If You Are More Than 24 Hours Late

Take the missed pill immediately (even if two at

Losing your hair can be alarming, and not all hair loss is the same. Two of the most common conditions people confuse are alopecia areata and male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia). They look different, are caused by different mechanisms, and require different treatments. Getting the right diagnosis is the essential first step.

Pharmacy Planet provides treatment for male pattern hair loss, including Propecia (finasteride) through its online prescribing service.

What Is Male Pattern Baldness (Androgenetic Alopecia)?

Male pattern baldness is the most common form of hair loss in men, affecting around half of all men by age 50. It is caused by a combination of genetic factors and DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which causes hair follicles to shrink progressively until dormant. It typically begins with a receding hairline at the temples and thinning at the crown.

For a broader understanding of the progression, read

For many years, women were told that hormone replacement therapy should be stopped by the mid-50s, or that starting it after 60 carried risks so significant it was not worth considering. That position has been substantially revised.

Updated guidance from the British Menopause Society, NICE, and a growing body of clinical evidence paints a more nuanced picture. Pharmacy Planet offers a full range of HRT treatment options and a confidential online prescribing service for women exploring HRT at any age.

Why Would a Woman Consider Starting HRT After 60?

Menopause symptoms do not simply stop once periods have ended. Hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, joint pain, mood changes, and sleep disturbance can persist for many years — in some women, for decades.

Some women in their 60s are only now connecting long-standing symptoms to hormonal changes. Others stopped HRT some years ago and are looking to restart. Read our blog

When most people think about hormone replacement therapy for menopause, they think of oestrogen and progesterone. Testosterone rarely enters the conversation, yet it is a hormone that women produce throughout their lives — one that declines significantly around the time of menopause. For many women, that decline contributes to symptoms that standard HRT does not fully address.

Pharmacy Planet offers a range of HRT treatment options, including testosterone gel products such as Testogel and Tostran, prescribed at appropriate doses for women following clinical assessment.

Do Women Produce Testosterone?

Yes. Women produce testosterone in the ovaries and adrenal glands throughout their lives. Levels are much lower than in men, but testosterone plays an important role in female health, including energy levels, mood, cognitive function, bone density, and sexual desire. Levels decline with age and drop significantly around

Blood sugar levels are one of the most commonly measured health indicators in the UK, yet many people are unclear about what the numbers actually mean. If you have recently had a blood test and your doctor mentioned glucose levels, if you have been told you are at risk of diabetes, or if you have just started home monitoring, this guide aims to give you a clear and practical understanding of what is normal and what warrants attention.

What Is Blood Sugar and Why Does It Matter?

Blood glucose is the primary fuel your body uses for energy, derived mainly from carbohydrates. After a meal, blood glucose rises. The pancreas responds by releasing insulin, which allows cells to absorb glucose and brings levels back down. When this system does not work well, blood sugar remains elevated, causing cumulative damage to blood vessels, nerves, and organs — the basis of diabetes and its complications.

Read our blog on the early

There is a persistent myth that erectile dysfunction is an older man's problem. For the many men in their 30s who experience difficulties with erections, this myth is both inaccurate and isolating. Erectile dysfunction in younger men is more common than most people realise, and in many cases, it is very treatable.

How Common Is ED in Men Under 40?

Studies consistently show that approximately 26% of men seeking help for ED are under 40. A large European study found that around one in four men presenting with ED for the first time were under 40. These figures likely underrepresent the true prevalence, given that younger men are often less likely to seek help due to embarrassment or the assumption it should not be happening.

Read our blog on what causes erectile dysfunction for a comprehensive overview of all contributing factors.

What Causes ED in Men in Their 30s?

Psychological and Emotional Factors

Anxiety,