Topic guide
What Type of Pill Am I On, and Why Does It Matter?
Combined, progestin-only, and extended cycle. How each type works and what it means for your daily routine.
If you are not sure whether you are on the combined pill, mini-pill, or another type, this affects missed-pill rules, timing windows, side effects and what Estroclic tracks. The combined pill, the progestin-only pill (mini-pill), and extended 84-day cycle pills each have different hormone profiles, different protection windows, different reminder requirements, and different rules for missed pills. Understanding which type you are on is the starting point for using it correctly.
The articles in this section explain the key differences between pill types, how to compare brands within each category, and what your specific pill means for your day-to-day routine. Estroclic handles all three types natively, applying the correct window and logic for whichever pill you are on.
Knowing your pill type is also the starting point for a different question: whether a health condition changes which pill may suit you. See Can I Take the Pill If...? for guides on migraine, smoking, blood pressure, breastfeeding and GLP-1 medicines.
Educational information only. Not medical advice. For personal guidance, speak with a doctor, pharmacist, sexual-health clinic, or local urgent-care service when symptoms are severe or pregnancy risk is possible.
Pill brands
Rigevidon vs Microgynon: Are They the Same Pill?
Rigevidon and Microgynon 30 contain the same hormones at the same doses. Here is what is identical, what differs, and why a switch may still feel different.
Read article →Combined pill
Combined Contraceptive Pill Brands: What's the Difference?
Microgynon, Yasmin, Cilique, Femodene: all combined pills, but with different progestins, estrogen doses, and side-effect profiles. Here is how to compare them.
Read article →Mini-pill
The Best App for the Progestin-Only Pill (Mini-Pill)
Most pill tracker apps were built for the combined pill. Here is what mini-pill users actually need from a tracker, and why the 3-hour window changes everything.
Read article →Mini-pill
The Mini-Pill 3-Hour Window Explained
Why most progestin-only pills give you only 3 hours, which brands are the exception, and what to do if you miss that window.
Read article →Protection window
The Contraceptive Pill Protection Window: What Every Pill User Needs to Know
Your window depends on your pill type. Here is exactly how long each type gives you, what happens when you exceed it, and how to track it without doing any maths.
Read article →Adherence
Pill Adherence: Why Consistency Matters More Than You Think
The gap between 99% and 91% effectiveness is almost entirely explained by adherence. Here is what consistent pill-taking actually looks like, and what gets in the way.
Read article →Pill types & brands
Generic vs Brand Birth Control Pills: Are They the Same?
Pharmacy gave you a generic birth control pill? Learn what FDA-approved generics mean, what can differ, and when to ask your pharmacist.
Read article →Track with Estroclic
Built for your specific pill type
Estroclic stores your current pill brand and type, and links to its official leaflet, so switching brands or types doesn't mean losing track of what you're on.