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Topic guide

Types of Birth Control Pill: Combined, Mini-Pill, and Extended Cycle

Combined, progestin-only, and extended cycle. How each type works and what it means for your daily routine.

Not all contraceptive pills work the same way. 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.

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.

12 Jun 2026 8 min read
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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.

14 Apr 2026 9 min read
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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.

11 May 2026 8 min read
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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.

18 May 2026 8 min read
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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.

9 May 2026 9 min read
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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.

30 Apr 2026 8 min read
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Track with Estroclic

Built for your specific pill type

Estroclic handles combined pills, mini-pills, and extended 84-day cycles, each with the correct protection window, the correct reminder logic, and links to 40+ official brand leaflets.

Free on Android