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Contraceptive pills come in four types, each of which differs in the content of hormones and therefore is dedicated to women of different ages and with different needs. Read what the different types of contraceptive pills are characterized by, what their names and effects are, and how to choose the pills best suited to your needs.
Contraceptive pills , regardless of their types and names, have one basic effect: they release a certain dose of hormones into the blood, which inhibit ovulation and change the consistency of the cervical mucus, thus protecting before pregnancy. Contraceptive pills may, however, differ in the content of hormones - some have less of them, the other more, hence there are as many as four types of pills.
Each newtype of contraceptive pillintroduced to the market is characterized by a lower concentration of synthetic hormones, thanks to which the next generations of preparations have fewer side effects. On the other hand, some women may still be better off with the older-generation pills, because they are more effective in treating female ailments, such as painful periods.
In this article you will learn everything about the different types of contraceptive pills: their composition, action, method of use, for whom they are recommended and under what trade names they appear. You will also check the prices of contraceptive pills.
Types of birth control pills: Combined pills
Thecombination pills contain two types of hormones: estrogen and progestin (synthetic progesterone). This is the most commonly used type of tablets.
How to take Combined Contraceptive Pills
They are most often taken in the 21 + 7 regimen, which means that every day at the same time for 21 days we take a tablet, then we take a 7-day break, during which there is a withdrawal bleed, and start the second pack . Then there are 21 tablets in the package.
We start each subsequent pack of contraceptive pills on the same day of the week!
There are also two-component preparations that are taken in the 24 + 4 regimen, that is: for 24 days, every day at the same timean active tablet with hormones, and for the remaining 4 days we take inactive tablets without hormones (placebo). Then there are 28 tablets in the package (4 are of a different color). Taking the placebo is only intended to help the woman continue taking the pills after the break for a withdrawal bleeding. On the other hand, extending the application schedule (24 + 4 instead of 21 + 7) is to reduce the unpleasant symptoms that sometimes accompany women during bleeding. The effectiveness of both schemes is identical.
Action of combined contraceptive pills
The hormones in this type of contraceptive pill show the following effects:
- stop the maturation of Graaf's follicles and inhibit ovulation;
- change the properties of the uterine mucosa, thanks to which even if the egg is fertilized, the embryo will not establish itself in the uterus (so-called implantation) and will die within a few days;
- change the properties of the cervical mucus to make it more difficult for sperm to move.
Types of combined contraceptive pills
There are 3 types of combined contraceptive pills: single-phase, two-phase and three-phase, each with a different concentration of the two hormones mentioned.
- single-phase two-component contraceptive pills: all 21 (or 24) tablets in the blister pack have the same color and composition. They also contain the least amount of hormones compared to two-phase and three-phase tablets. They are the most universal - they can be taken by young and old women as well as nursing mothers.
- two-component two-phase contraceptive pills: each tablet from the blister has the same amount of synthetic estrogen, but different progestogen content - thanks to this, they better reflect the natural reproductive cycle of a woman. They have two colors: white and pink. The first 11 tablets (pink) have a low concentration of progestogen, the remaining 10 (white) have a higher concentration. The pink tablets are taken in the first phase of the cycle and the white tablets in the second phase. They are recommended for women who have irregular, painful periods, but usually gynecologists prescribe them rarely. Their disadvantage is also a significant reduction in effectiveness if the next tablet is taken more than 6 hours late.
- Combined three-phase contraceptive pills: the least commonly prescribed type of two-phase pills. The blister pack consists of three types of pills, each with a different concentration of progestogen and sometimes estrogen as well. Most often they come in combination:6 light brown, 5 white, 10 dark yellow pastilles. Their use requires great care, because the subsequent colors of the tablets must be taken in a strictly defined order. They are recommended for women who do not tolerate single-ingredient pills and for menopausal women, because they can regulate the level of hormones by imitating the natural cycle.
Trade names of combined contraceptive pills (selection)
| Name of the contraceptive pill | Manufacturer | Ethinylestradiol content [mg] | Progestogen content [mg] | Price (for 21/28 tab.) |
| Belara | Gedeon Richter | 0.03 | Chlormadinone Acetate 2mg | PLN 29-30 |
| Diane-35 | Bayer | 0.035 | 2 | PLN 10-15 |
| Harmonet | Delfarma | 0.02 | 0.075 | PLN 26.99 |
| Jeanine | Bayer | 0.03 | 2 | $ 35.49 |
| Logest | Bayer | 0.02 | 0.075 | PLN 32.99 |
| Mercilon | Organon | 0.02 | 0,15 | PLN 24 |
| Microgynon | Bayer | 0.03 | 0,15 | ok. PLN 8-9 |
| Midiana | Gedeon Richter | 0.03 | 3 | PLN 30-40 |
| Naraya | Temapharm | 0.02 | 0.03 | PLN 31.50 |
| Novynette | Gedeon Richter | 0.02 | 0,15 | PLN 8-9 |
| Regulon | Gedeon Richter | 0.03 | 0,15 | PLN 23-30 |
| Ovulastan | Polfa Pabianice | 0.02 | 0,15 | PLN 24 |
| Rigevidon | Gedeon Richter | 0.03 | 0,15 | 3 - PLN 8 |
| Qlaira | Bayer | 3, 2 or 1 Estradiol valerate | 2 or 3 | PLN 50 |
| Yasmin | Bayer | 0.03 | 3 | PLN 32 |
| Yasminelle | Bayer | 0.02 | 3 | PLN 32 |
| Vines | Gedeon Richter | 0.15 mcg | gestoden 60 mcg | PLN 31 |
The so-called "ultra-light contraception" isbirth control pillswith a reduced dose of hormones. Their effectiveness is the same as that of standard contraception (Pearl Index 0.24), but apart from the changed composition, it is differentintake schedule - tablets are used continuously, without a 7-day break between packages.
Types of birth control pills: single-component pills
The single-ingredient contraceptive pills (mini-pills)are the latest generation pills. They differ from the combination pills in that they contain only one hormone, the progestin. They are milder in action, show fewer side effects, but they do not have to work for every woman.
How to take single-component contraceptive pills
One package contains 28 tablets, which are used at the same time every day. After finishing one package, we immediately start the second. There is no break between packages. The downside of mini-pills is that they often cause irregular bleeding that sometimes stops completely.
Action of single-component contraceptive pills
The contraceptive action of the mini-pill is to increase the viscosity of the cervical mucus, which makes it difficult for sperm to travel. Some single-ingredient pills also inhibit ovulation.
Who are the single-component contraceptive pills for
This method of contraception is especially recommended for breastfeeding women as they do not contain estrogen, which inhibits lactation. They are also suitable for use by young women under 25 and teenagers. The benefits of taking mini-pills should also benefit people who do not tolerate high doses of hormones in two-component preparations.
Trade names of single-component contraceptive pills (a selection)
| Name of the contraceptive pill | Manufacturer | Progestogen content [mg] | Price |
| Azalea | Gedeon Richter | 0.075 | $ 28.49 |
| Cerazette | Organon | 0.075 | PLN 30 |
| Desiccant | Polpharma | 0.075 | PLN 22 |
| Symonette | SymPhar | 0.075 | PLN 18 |
Some of the contraceptive pills also include the so-called pills "after" - emergency contraception. It is a single pill that should be taken up to 3-5 days after intercourse. The sooner she is admitted, the more likely she is to avoid pregnancy.
The "po" pill, just like regular contraceptive pills, also contains progestin, but in a much higher concentration - 30 mg. This hormone can suppress ovulation if the pill is lefttaken before ovulation. Even if ovulation has occurred, the pill causes changes in the lining of the womb, making implantation difficult for the embryo.
Emergency contraception will not work if the embryo has already implanted. Then taking the tablet will not affect the embryo in any way (it does not have a miscarriage effect).