What is the difference between Microgynon and Rigevidon?

Microgynon 30 and Rigevidon are generically identical, they contain exactly the same hormones at the same doses: levonorgestrel 150 mcg and ethinylestradiol 30 mcg. Rigevidon is prescribed as a cost-effective generic alternative. If you are switched from one to the other, the contraceptive effect is the same.

What is the difference between Yasmin and Microgynon?

Yasmin and Microgynon both contain 30 mcg of ethinylestradiol but use different progestogens. Microgynon uses levonorgestrel (2nd generation), which has mild androgenic activity and carries the lowest VTE risk among combined pills. Yasmin uses drospirenone (4th generation), which has anti-androgenic and anti-mineralocorticoid properties, making it useful for women with acne, oily skin, water retention, or PMDD. Yasmin is associated with a slightly higher VTE risk than levonorgestrel-based pills.

Which combined pill is best for acne?

Pills with low-androgenic or anti-androgenic progestogens are generally preferred for acne. Yasmin (drospirenone), Cilique (norgestimate), Femodene (gestodene), and Marvelon (desogestrel) are commonly considered. Yasmin specifically has anti-androgenic properties. The right choice depends on your full health profile, discuss options with your GP.

Do all combined pills carry the same blood clot risk?

No. All combined pills carry a small increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) compared to not using hormonal contraception, but the risk varies by progestogen type. Second-generation pills (levonorgestrel, e.g. Microgynon, Rigevidon) have the lowest VTE risk. Third-generation pills (gestodene, desogestrel, norgestimate) and fourth-generation pills (drospirenone) carry a slightly higher risk. The absolute risk remains very low for most healthy women, but should be discussed with a GP for women with personal or family history of blood clots.

What does the oestrogen dose in a pill mean?

The oestrogen dose (measured in micrograms of ethinylestradiol) affects both effectiveness and side effects. Most combined pills contain 20 mcg, 30 mcg, or 35 mcg. Lower doses (20 mcg) are sometimes prescribed for women sensitive to oestrogen-related side effects. Standard doses (30 mcg) are most commonly prescribed. Higher doses (35 mcg) are found in some pills prescribed for acne or with specific progestogen profiles.

Microgynon, Yasmin, Rigevidon, Cilique: How Do Popular Pill Brands Compare?

If you've ever been handed a new prescription and wondered why your GP chose this brand over another, or what the difference actually is, you're not alone. There are dozens of combined pill brands available, and navigating the differences can feel overwhelming. Here's a clear breakdown of the most commonly prescribed brands in the UK, what distinguishes them, and how to access your pill's official leaflet.

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

The Most Commonly Prescribed Combined Pills

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 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 the official government-verified leaflets for 40+ pill brands, pulled from the MHRA / Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC) for UK brands and DailyMed (FDA) for US brands. When you select your pill brand in the app, the Safety Hub card shows your specific brand's leaflet, so you always have accurate, brand-specific guidance to hand.

Access your pill's official leaflet in seconds

Select your exact brand from 40+ in Estroclic. The Safety Hub links directly to your pill's government-verified patient information leaflet, FDA or MHRA, depending on your region.

Free on Android

Finding the Right Pill for You

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
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
Access your pill's official patient leaflet via Estroclic's Safety Hub

This article is for general information only. Drug availability, prescribing guidelines, and product names may vary by country. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised advice. Access your specific pill's official leaflet through Estroclic's Safety Hub.