Different types of birth control pills are available, including low-dose, extended-cycle, and conventional pills. It’s important to talk with a doctor to understand the benefits and risks and which may be right for you.
More birth control options are available every day. They may respond to different needs and preferences, and each offers benefits and risks, depending on what you need.
Here’s some information on some of the options available in the market so you can go into the doctor’s office informed and ready to make a decision.
Combination pills contain synthetic types of hormones known as estrogen and progestin. They come in different ratios, or combinations, of active and inactive ingredients.
The combination pill is more than 99 percent effective when taken as intended.
Conventional pills
The most common type of combination pill contains either 21 active pills and 7 inactive pills, or 24 active pills and 4 inactive pills. Each month, you may have bleeding similar to a regular period while taking the inactive pills.
Monophasic pills
Monophasic pills contain only one phase or level of active hormones. The level of hormones remains the same in each active pill during the month.
Common monophasic pill brand names in the United States include:
- Apri
- Alesse
- Aranelle
- Aviane
- Beyaz
- Desogen
- Estrostep Fe
- Gianvi
- Kariva
- Lessina
- Levlite
- Levora
- Loestrin
- Lybrel
- Lo Ovral
- Nordette
- Ocella
- Low-Ogestrel
- Ortho-Novum
- Previfem
- Reclipsen
- Safyral
- Velivet
- Yasmin
- Yaz
Multiphasic pills
The level of active ingredients in multiphasic pills varies. Where you are in your cycle will determine the level of active ingredients present.
Biphasic pill brands include:
- Azurette
- Mircette
Triphasic pills include:
- Caziant
- Enpresse
- Ortho Tri-Cyclen
- TriNessa
- Velivet
Quadriphasic pills include:
- Natazia
Extended-cycle pills
If you want fewer periods, a doctor may suggest an extended-cycle or continuous-dose pill. These birth control pills include 84 active pills and 7 inactive pills. Generally, if you take this type of birth control, you’ll have four periods per year.
Common extended-cycle pill brand names include:
- Seasonale
- Seasonique
- Lybrel
Low dose pills
Low dose pills contain less than 50 micrograms of estrogen per active pill. Low dose pills are ideal if you’re sensitive to hormones or usually have side effects with other birth control pills. They’re also a good option if you’re just starting birth control.
Although many people have great success with low dose birth control pills, you may experience more breakthrough bleeding than you would with a higher dose of hormones.
Common low dose pill brand names include:
- Apri
- Aviane
- Levora
- Loestrin
- Lo Ovral
- Ortho-Novum
- Yasmin
- Yaz
Thinking about switching birth control pills? Here’s a how-to guide.
Minipills are available in one mixture that is progestin only, with no estrogen. Because of this, they are great for people with certain medical conditions and people who are sensitive to estrogen.
The level of the hormone is the same in each pill, and each pill contains active ingredients. Unlike the combination pill, there are no inactive pills included. So, you may experience a period or you may skip a period while using this form of birth control pill. The progestin dose in a minipill is also lower than the progestin dose in any combination pill.
Minipills are also more than 99 percent effective when taken correctly. They have a 3-hour window so doctors recommend that you take them every day at the same time.
Common minipill brand names include:
- Camila
- Errin
- Heather
- Jencycla
- Jolivette
- Nor-QD
- Nora-BE
- Orthoa Micronor
The main difference between combination pills and minipills is that combination pills have estrogen and minipills do not. There’s also a noticeable difference in how each pill affects your body.
Combination pills prevent pregnancy in three ways. First, the hormones prevent your ovaries from releasing an egg. Without the egg, sperm have nothing to fertilize.
The hormones also cause a buildup of thick, sticky mucus at the opening of your cervix. This makes it harder for sperm to pass through your cervical opening. Some combination birth control pills also thin the lining of your uterus. Without a thick lining, a fertilized egg has a difficult time attaching and developing.
Minipills prevent pregnancy by thickening cervical mucus and thinning your uterine lining. Some minipills can also prevent ovulation, but that’s not the primary function of these progestin-only pills.
Many people can use birth control pills safely and without any symptoms or side effects. However, some people will experience adverse or unwanted effects, especially when they first begin taking the pill.
The side effects of combination birth control pills may include:
- nausea
- vomiting
- a headache
- weight gain, which is often due to fluid retention
- breast tenderness
- bleeding between periods
- cramps
The side effects of progestin-only minipills may include:
- acne
- breast tenderness
- a headache
- fatigue
- bleeding between periods
- ovarian cysts
- weight gain
- decreased libido
Concerned about cramping? Here’s how birth control pills may play a role.
What causes birth control pill side effects?
Birth control pills contain hormones. They’re designed to keep your level of hormones steady throughout your entire cycle. This is what helps prevent ovulation and reduces your chances of pregnancy.
Fluctuations in your hormone levels can cause side effects. These fluctuations occur when you begin taking the pill, when you’re late taking a pill, or when you miss a dose.
Most of these side effects tend to ease after several weeks or months of taking the pill. Tell a doctor if you still experience these health concerns after 3 months of consecutive use. You may need to consider other birth control options.
Need more information? Here’s the pros and cons of hormonal vs. nonhormonal birth control.
For most people, birth control is safe and effective. Certain risk factors can increase your likelihood of experiencing side effects.
Before you begin taking birth control, talk with a doctor about your personal medical history to determine what, if any, medications you should avoid.
You may be at an increased risk of side effects if you:
- are older than 35 and smoke
- have a history of breast cancer
- have a history of high blood pressure
- have a history of heart attacks or heart disease
- have a history of stroke
- have a history of blood clotting disorders
- have had diabetes for more than 10 years
If you’re chestfeeding, you may need to consider alternative forms of birth control until you’ve stopped nursing. The progestin-only minipill may be ideal for some people who are nursing, so talk with a doctor about your options.
| Brand name | Generic name | Type | Schedule (active/inactive) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alesse | levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol | monophasic | 21 days/7 days |
| Apri | desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol | low-dose monophasic | 21 days/7 days |
| Safyral | drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol/levomefolate calcium and levomefolate | monophasic | 21 days/7 days |
| Lo Loestrin FE | norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol, ethinyl estradiol | low-dose monophasic | 26 days/2 days |
| Seasonique | levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol | extended cycle | 84 days/7 days |
| Camila | norethindrone | minipill | 28 days |
| Yaz | drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol | low-dose monophasic | 24 days/4 days |
| Yasmin | drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol | low-dose monophasic | 21 days/7 days |
| Enpresse | levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol | triphasic | 21 days/7 days |
| Azurette | desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol and ethinyl estradiol | biphasic | 21 days/7 days |
Optum Perks is owned by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more.
Talk with a doctor if you’re trying to decide between types of birth control. Each type of pill is effective, but your options may change based on your personal health history, your lifestyle, and the results you need.
Before visiting the doctor, it may be helpful to have an idea of which type of birth control pill sounds right for you.
Consider if you are comfortable using a combination pill that includes mostly active pills (hormone-containing pills) or if you’d like to use minipills, which are progestin-only pills.
Minipills can be helpful if you aren’t able to consume estrogen. You may or may not have a period on this type of birth control pill, which is another important aspect to consider.
Weigh the risks and benefits of the two different pill types. Once you’ve made a decision about the type of pill you want, a doctor may have a brand or two they may recommend. However, just because one brand works for someone else doesn’t mean it will work for you.
It’s not uncommon for people to change the types or doses of birth control pills several times before finding an option that works best for them.
Whether you decide to take the combination pill or the minipill, take time to adjust to it and determine how your body reacts. Most doctors recommend giving a particular pill 3 months before you switch to another pill.
Tell the doctor if you have side effects that interfere with your daily activities or become problematic. They may recommend that you switch pills.
Don’t have time to go to the pharmacy? Here’s where to get birth control pills online.
What’s the most common birth control pill?
The combination pill and the minipill are the most common birth control pill types.
What’s the cheapest birth control pill brand?
It depends. You should be able to get free or low cost birth control pills anywhere in the United States. Check out our guide here for more information.
Do I need to contact a doctor to get birth control pills?
Generally, yes. In most cases, a prescription is needed for birth control pills, meaning contacting a doctor, nurse, or Planned Parenthood centers. A few states allow you to get a prescription online or from a pharmacist. Another option is Opill, a progestin-only pill you can get over the counter without a prescription.
Where can I get birth control pills?
Once you have a prescription, you can get birth control pills from a pharmacy or online.
Combination pills and minipills are the most common types of birth control pills. Deciding which is best for you will come down to certain factors, like if you want to take mostly hormone-containing pills or if you are more comfortable with a pill that does not contain estrogen.
Side effects, cost, and how the body responds to each form and brand of birth control pills will vary for each individual.
Talking with a doctor can help you find the birth control pill that is best for you.