Combined birth control pills can differ in their active ingredients, estrogen dose, progestin type, and pack schedule. This guide explains how to compare the formula behind a brand name. Brand availability differs by country, and if a US pharmacy gave you an unexpected pack, use our separate guide on what to check after a pharmacy switch.
Short answer: combined birth control pills are not all the same. Compare the active ingredients, their doses, and the pack schedule rather than relying on a brand name alone. A pharmacist or prescriber can tell you whether a particular product is appropriate for you.
What to compare
- Active ingredientsThe estrogen and progestin in one combined pill may differ from another.
- Dose and scheduleEstrogen dose, the number of active pills, and placebo or hormone-free days can differ.
- Brand namesA name may be used only in one country, while the same or a similar formula is sold under another name elsewhere.
- Individual choiceA prescriber or pharmacist should guide decisions about starting, changing, or continuing a pill.
How Combined Pills Differ
All combined pills contain two hormones: oestrogen (almost always as ethinylestradiol) and progestogen. The type and dose of progestogen varies between brands, and this is what largely determines how each pill feels for different people.
- Oestrogen dose, most commonly 20 mcg, 30 mcg, or 35 mcg of ethinylestradiol
- Progestogen type, different generations with different potencies and side effect profiles
- Monophasic vs biphasic/triphasic, whether hormone levels stay constant or vary across the pack
UK Brand Examples for Formula Context
These examples are commonly known in the UK. They illustrate how formulas can differ, but they are not a list of US products or a recommendation to change pills. Check the official leaflet for the exact product available in your country.
Microgynon 30
Hormones
Levonorgestrel 150 mcg + Ethinylestradiol 30 mcg
Generation
2nd generation progestogen
Pack type
Monophasic · 21 active + 7-day break
The most widely prescribed combined pill in the UK. Well-studied, cost-effective, and generally well-tolerated. Often the first pill offered to new users. Some women notice androgenic side effects (acne, mood changes) due to levonorgestrel's androgenic activity.
Rigevidon
Hormones
Levonorgestrel 150 mcg + Ethinylestradiol 30 mcg
Generation
2nd generation progestogen
Pack type
Monophasic · 21 active + 7-day break
Generically identical to Microgynon 30, same hormones, same dose. Prescribed as a cost-effective alternative. If you are switched from Microgynon to Rigevidon, the contraceptive effect is the same.
Yasmin
Hormones
Drospirenone 3 mg + Ethinylestradiol 30 mcg
Generation
4th generation progestogen
Pack type
Monophasic · 21 active + 7-day break
Drospirenone has anti-androgenic and anti-mineralocorticoid properties, which can be beneficial for women experiencing acne, oily skin, water retention, or PMDD. It is associated with a slightly higher risk of venous thromboembolism (blood clots) compared to levonorgestrel-based pills. Not suitable for women with certain kidney, liver, or adrenal conditions.
Cilique
Hormones
Norgestimate 250 mcg + Ethinylestradiol 35 mcg
Generation
3rd generation progestogen
Pack type
Monophasic · 21 active + 7-day break
Norgestimate is considered low-androgenic. Cilique is often prescribed for women who have experienced acne or mood-related side effects on second-generation pills. Contains a slightly higher oestrogen dose (35 mcg).
Femodene
Hormones
Gestodene 75 mcg + Ethinylestradiol 30 mcg
Generation
3rd generation progestogen
Pack type
Monophasic · 21 active + 7-day break
Gestodene is a potent, low-androgenic progestogen. Like other third-generation progestogens, it carries a slightly higher VTE risk than second-generation options. May be preferred by women who experienced androgenic side effects on older pills.
Femodette
Hormones
Gestodene 75 mcg + Ethinylestradiol 20 mcg
Generation
3rd generation progestogen
Pack type
Monophasic · 21 active + 7-day break
A lower oestrogen-dose version of Femodene (20 mcg vs 30 mcg). Prescribed for women who want to minimise oestrogen exposure, for example, if they experience oestrogen-related side effects on standard-dose pills.
Marvelon
Hormones
Desogestrel 150 mcg + Ethinylestradiol 30 mcg
Generation
3rd generation progestogen
Pack type
Monophasic · 21 active + 7-day break
Desogestrel is highly progestogenic and low-androgenic. Marvelon is often well-tolerated by women seeking a pill with lower androgenic activity.
Mercilon
Hormones
Desogestrel 150 mcg + Ethinylestradiol 20 mcg
Generation
3rd generation progestogen
Pack type
Monophasic · 21 active + 7-day break
Same as Marvelon but with a lower oestrogen dose (20 mcg). A lower-dose option for women who are sensitive to oestrogen.
Comparing Oestrogen Doses
| Dose | Example brands | Typical use case |
|---|---|---|
| 20 mcg | Mercilon, Femodette, Loestrin 20 | Oestrogen sensitivity, minimising hormone exposure |
| 30 mcg | Microgynon, Rigevidon, Yasmin, Marvelon | Standard first-line prescribing |
| 35 mcg | Cilique, Norimin | Acne, low-androgenic progestogen preference |
A Note on VTE (Blood Clot) Risk
All combined pills carry a small increased risk of venous thromboembolism compared to not using hormonal contraception. The absolute risk remains very low for most healthy women, but it varies by progestogen type:
- 2nd generation (levonorgestrel)Lowest VTE risk among combined pills
- 3rd generation (gestodene, desogestrel, norgestimate)Slightly higher VTE risk than 2nd generation
- 4th generation (drospirenone)Risk broadly similar to 3rd generation
Women with a personal or family history of blood clots, or other VTE risk factors, should discuss this with their GP before starting or continuing the pill.
How to Compare Two Combined Pills
When you are comparing two products with a pharmacist or prescriber, ask:
- What are the active ingredient names and doses in each product?
- How many active pills and placebo or hormone-free days does each pack have?
- Does either product have instructions that matter for my health history or other medicines?
- Where can I read the official patient information leaflet for the exact product?
If the pharmacy dispensed an unexpected pack, use our US guide on what to check after a pharmacy changes your birth control brand instead of assuming the products are interchangeable.
How to Access Your Pill's Official Leaflet
Every pill brand has an official patient information leaflet approved by regulatory authorities, containing full information about dosing, interactions, side effects, contraindications, and what to do if you miss a pill.
Estroclic's Safety Hub provides direct links to official product information for 89 birth control pill brands, using UK eMC, US DailyMed, and Canadian Drug Product Database sources where available. When you select your pill brand in the app, the Safety Hub card can open the source linked to that brand. Check the leaflet supplied with your exact medicine and ask a pharmacist about any switch or dosing question.
Keep your exact pill details in one clear record
Record the pill brand you are taking, keep a dose history, and open the official patient information leaflet for your selected product. Estroclic helps you organize the details and questions for a pharmacist or prescriber. It does not choose a pill or decide whether two products are equivalent.
Choosing a Combined Pill Is a Clinical Decision
There is no single "best" pill. The right choice depends on your individual health profile, hormone sensitivity, skin concerns, history with previous pills, and personal preferences.
If you are experiencing side effects on your current pill, the cause may relate to its specific progestogen type or oestrogen dose. Switching to a pill with a different hormone profile can make a significant difference, but this should always be done in consultation with your GP.
Keeping a detailed log of your symptoms alongside your pill use, using Estroclic's health events feature, gives you and your doctor meaningful data when reviewing your contraceptive choice.
Summary
- All combined pills contain oestrogen and a progestogen, the progestogen type and dose is what varies most between brands
- Microgynon and Rigevidon are generically identical; Yasmin, Cilique, Femodene, and Marvelon differ in progestogen type and oestrogen dose
- Brand names alone do not tell you whether two products have the same formula or schedule
- Second-generation pills (levonorgestrel) carry the lowest VTE risk; third- and fourth-generation pills carry slightly higher risk
- Pills with low-androgenic progestogens are often preferred for acne or mood-related concerns
- Use the official patient leaflet and a pharmacist or prescriber for decisions about a specific product
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I compare two combined birth control pills?
Compare the active ingredient names and doses, the number of active and placebo or hormone-free days, and the official leaflets for each product. A pharmacist or prescriber can explain whether a particular product is appropriate for you.
What if the pharmacy gave me a different birth control pack?
Do not assume two products are interchangeable from their names or packaging alone. Ask the pharmacist to compare the active ingredients, doses, and schedule, especially if the product or pack structure changed.
What is the difference between Microgynon and Rigevidon?
Microgynon 30 and Rigevidon are generically identical: the same hormones at the same doses, levonorgestrel 150 mcg and ethinylestradiol 30 mcg. If you are switched from one to the other, the contraceptive effect is the same.
Do all combined pills carry the same blood clot risk?
No. All combined pills carry a small increased risk of venous thromboembolism compared with not using hormonal contraception, but the risk varies by progestogen type. The absolute risk remains very low for most healthy women; discuss your personal risk with a GP if you have a personal or family history of blood clots.