Infertility and contraception mnemonic

Warning symptoms of serious complications on the combined pill

The mnemonic

ACHES

What each word stands for

  • AAbdominal pain (liver or gallbladder disease)
  • CChest pain, breathlessness (pulmonary embolism)
  • HHeadache, severe or migraine with aura
  • EEye problems, vision loss
  • SSevere leg pain (deep vein thrombosis)

Why it matters clinically

Warning symptoms women on the pill should report at once.

Where it stops being reliable

It lists warning symptoms, not the full list of absolute contraindications such as smoking over 35.

Teaching aid, still awaiting independent review. Confirm facts in a standard source.

More mnemonics

Common questions

What is the Infertility and contraception mnemonic?

ACHES. It helps you recall: Warning symptoms of serious complications on the combined pill.

What does "A" stand for?

Abdominal pain (liver or gallbladder disease)

What does "C" stand for?

Chest pain, breathlessness (pulmonary embolism)

What does "H" stand for?

Headache, severe or migraine with aura

What are all the parts of the ACHES mnemonic?

A: Abdominal pain (liver or gallbladder disease); C: Chest pain, breathlessness (pulmonary embolism); H: Headache, severe or migraine with aura; E: Eye problems, vision loss; S: Severe leg pain (deep vein thrombosis).

Which topic does this mnemonic belong to?

It belongs to Infertility and contraception in OBG.

Where does this mnemonic stop being reliable?

It lists warning symptoms, not the full list of absolute contraindications such as smoking over 35.

How is this useful clinically?

Warning symptoms women on the pill should report at once.

How do I make this mnemonic stick?

Say it aloud, write it from memory tomorrow, then again in a week. Then test yourself on a OBG question about Infertility and contraception.

Is this a standard mnemonic?

It is a teaching aid written or adapted by our team. Some resemble ones students share informally. Check any fact that matters in a standard source.