Oral administration of progestogen-estrogen combinations is another contraceptive method used by the females. They are used in the form of tablets and hence are popularly called the pills eg. MALA-D. These pills have to be taken daily for a period of 21 days starting preferably within the first five days of the menstrual cycle. After a gap of 7 days (during which menstruation occurs) it has to be repeated in the same pattern until the female desires to prevent conception. If you count the white tablets they are 21 while the dark tablets are 7. During the gap that needs to be taken, the lady has to consume the dark tablets which are rich in iron but they don't contain female hormones