Oral Contraceptive Pill (Birth Control Pill) Hormonal Activity

Monophasic pills

Monophasic oral contraceptive pills contain a constant amount of estrogen and progestin in each active pill. ^[1]

• Ethinylestradiol and norethindrone (Brevicon, Modicon, Wera, Balziva, Briellyn, Gildagia, Philith, Zenchent)

• Ethinylestradiol and norgestimate (Estarylla, Previfem, Sprintec)

• Drospirenone and ethinylestradiol (Ocella, Yasmin, Zarah, Yaz)

• Drospirenone, ethinylestradiol, and levomefolate (Safyral, Beyaz)

• Ethinylestradiol and norgestrel (Cryselle, Elinest, Ogestrel)

• Ethinylestradiol and desogestrel (Apri, Desogen, Juleber, Reclipsen, Solia)

• Ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel (Levora, Altavera, Daysee, Lessina, Lybrel)

• Ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel extended-cycle (Amethia, Jolessa)

• Estetrol/drospirenone (Nextstellis)

Biphasic pills

Biphasic oral contraceptive pills deliver the same amount of estrogen each day while progestin dose is increased halfway through cycle.

• Ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel extended-cycle (Amethia Lo, Camrese Lo, Daysee)

• Ethinylestradiol and desogestrel (Azurette, Kariva, Mircette, Viorele)

• Ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel (LoSeasonique)

Triphasic pills

Triphasic oral contraceptive pills have 3 different doses of progestin and estrogen that change approximately every 7 days.

• Ethinylestradiol and norethindrone (Aranelle, Tri-Norinyl, Leena, Alyacen 7/7/7, Necon 7/7/7, Notrel 7/7/7, Dasetta 7/7/7, Cyclafem 7/7/7)

• Ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel (Enpresse, Trivora)

• Ethinylestradiol and desogestrel (Caziant, Cyclessa, Velivet)

• Ethinylestradiol and norgestimate (TriNessa)

Four-phasic pills

Four-phasic oral contraceptive pills provide 4 different doses of progestin/estrogen during a 28-day cycle.

• Dienogest and estradiol (Natazia)

• Ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel extended-cycle (Quartette)

Ninety-one-day pills

Ninety-one-day oral contraceptive pills provide a constant dose of estrogen and progestin for 84 days.

• Ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel (Introvale)

• Ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel extended-cycle (Amethia, Ashlyna, Jolessa, Quasense)

• Ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel (Seasonique)

Progesterone-only pills (POPs)

Progesterone-only oral contraceptive pills provide a constant dose of progestin. Norethindrone and drospirenone require a prescription. Norgestrel (Opill) is available over-the-counter without a prescription. 

• Norethindrone (Camila, Deblitane, Emzahh, Errin, Heather, Jencycla, Nor-QD, Sharobel) 

• Drospirenone (Slynd) 

• Norgestrel (Opill)