A comprehensive guide to the contraceptive pill brands

There are a wide variety of contraceptive pill brands in the UK, but they can be sorted into a few different categories, which makes them easier to compare. The contraceptive pill comes in 2 different forms:

1. A combined pill (containing 2 hormones).
2. A mini pill (containing 1 hormone).

Combined pills can then be broken down into further categories, including:

• low-oestrogen combined pills
• monophasic and phasic combined pills

Some may be more suitable for you, depending on your medical history, current conditions, and preferences.

The combined pill contains a combination of 2 synthetic hormones, progesterone and oestrogen. It primarily works by stopping ovulation, along with thinning the uterine lining and thickening the cervical mucus. Because it contains 2 hormones, it has some benefits over the mini pill, which only contains progesterone.

Advantages and disadvantages of the combined pill:

In this section, we’ll be looking at some popular UK brands of combined contraceptive pills for you to consider, along with what generation of pill they are, what this means, and the properties of each.

Rigevidon:

• contains 150mcg of levonorgestrel and 30mcg of ethinylestradiol
• is a second-generation progesterone pill
• is similar to Levest, Ovranette, and Microgynon 30

Levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol pills, like the Rigevidon pill, were introduced in the 70s. Levonorgestrel is known as a second-generation progesterone because it was discovered after the progesterones used in first-generation pills and largely replaced them as a safer alternative. Unlike first-generation progesterone pills, second-generation progesterone pills like Rigevidon are still widely used.

There are also third and fourth-generation progesterone pills, and they all come with their own benefits and disadvantages. Second-generation pills, compared to first-generation, are safer and cause less breakthrough bleeding, but may have higher androgenic effects. This means they act like androgens in your body (male sex hormones) and cause side effects associated with androgens, such as acne.

Microgynon 30

Microgynon 30:

• contains 150mcg of levonorgestrel and 30mcg of ethinylestradiol
• is a second-generation progesterone pill
• is similar to Levest, Ovranette, and Rigevidon

Microgynon 30 is a very similar pill to the one discussed above, Rigevidon. They both contain the same active ingredients in the same doses. Like the Rigevidon pill, Microgynon is a second-generation progesterone pill containing levonorgestrel and is still widely used today.

Yasmin

The Yasmin pill:

• contains 3 milligrams of drospirenone and 30 micrograms of ethinylestradiol
• is a fourth-generation progesterone pill
• is similar to pills like Eloine and Lucette

The progesterone in Yasmin, drospirenone, was patented in 1976 but not used medically until 2000. Called a fourth-generation progesterone, it has less of an androgenic (male hormone) effect, making it less likely to cause acne but also less effective for treating endometriosis.

On the other hand, drospirenone comes with a slightly higher risk of blood clots, although it’s still very low. Overall, drospirenone combined pills are generally safe and suit many women better in terms of side effects.

Marvelon

Marvelon:

• contains 150 micrograms of desogestrel and 30 micrograms of ethinylestradiol
• is a third-generation progesterone pill
• is similar to Gedarel and Mercilon

Marvelon contains the third-generation progesterone desogestrel, which was discovered in 1972 and became available for use in Europe in 1981.

This progesterone has less androgenic and estrogenic activity (properties similar to the male and female sex hormones), which means the side effects and benefits of both of these hormones may be reduced. But, like drospirenone pills, desogestrel pills come with a slightly higher risk of blood clots, although they’re safe and well-tolerated overall.

Lucette

Lucette:

• contains 3 milligrams of drospirenone and 30 micrograms of ethinylestradiol
• is a fourth-generation progesterone pill
• is similar to Eloine and Yasmin

Very similar to Yasmin, Lucette contains the same hormones in the same doses, including the fourth-generation progesterone drospirenone. This means it also has less androgenic (male hormone) effect and has a lower risk of some side effects, but like Yasmin, the drospirenone comes with a slightly higher risk of blood clots. Still, Lucette is safe if approved by a doctor.

Levest

Levest:

• contains 150 micrograms of levonorgestrel and 30 micrograms of ethinylestradiol
• is a second-generation progesterone pill
• is similar to Microgynon 30 and Rigevidon

Levest is similar to Rigevidon and Microgynon 30, as it contains a second-generation progesterone and contains the same active ingredients in the same doses. Sometimes the same pill is made by different manufacturers, so the only difference is the brand name, and possibly some of the inactive ingredients.

Ovranette

Ovranette:

• contains 150 micrograms of levonorgestrel and 30 micrograms of ethinylestradiol
• is a second-generation progesterone pill
• is similar to Rigevidon, Microgynon 30, and Levest

Like Rigevidon, Ovranette is a generic combined contraceptive pill that contains the same active ingredients and doses as Microgynon 30, Rigevidon, and Levest.

Gedarel

Gedarel:

• contains either 20 or 30 micrograms of ethinylestradiol and 150 micrograms of desogestrel
• is a third-generation progesterone pill
• is similar to the pills Marvelon and Mercilon

Similar to Marvelon and Mercilon, Gedarel contains the same hormones in the same or similar doses. This includes the third-generation progesterone desogestrel, meaning it can come with a slightly higher risk of blood clots, and a lower chance of benefits and side effects.

The 20mcg version of Gedarel is known as a low-dose combined pill, which may be better suited to you if you are sensitive to oestrogen and its effects. It’s also got a slightly lower risk of blood clots than the 30mcg version.

Mercilon

Mercilon:

• contains 20 micrograms of ethinylestradiol and 150 micrograms of desogestrel
• is a third-generation progesterone pill
• is similar to Marvelon and Gedarel

Mercilon pills are known as low-dose contraceptive pills as they contain less synthetic oestrogen than other options like Marvelon.

Femodene

Femodene:

• contains 75 micrograms of gestodene and 30 micrograms of ethinylestradiol
• is a third-generation progesterone pill
• is similar to the pill Millinette

Femodene is a third-generation progesterone pill that contains a synthetic progestogen called gestodene. It was discovered in 1975 but first used in contraceptive pills in the late 1980s.

Norimin

Norimin:

• contains 35 micrograms of ethinylestradiol and 1 milligram of norethisterone
• is a second-generation combined pill containing a first-generation progesterone
• is similar to Brevinor

Norimin is a pill that contains the first-generation progesterone norethisterone, which was first discovered in 1951 and was then used in combined contraceptive pills in 1963. Although first-generation progesterones are not widely used in combined pills, they are still considered generally safe and effective.

Norimin is also known as a second-generation combined pill because it contains ethinylestradiol with norethisterone. Second-generation combined pills have been shown to have a slightly lower risk of blood clots than other generations, though this is not by much. Research shows that approximately 5 to 7 out of 10,000 people may be affected by a blood clot while taking a second-generation pill, compared to 9 to 12 with other generations.

Qlaira

Qlaira:

• is known as a phasic pill because it uses different doses of the active ingredients throughout your menstrual cycle
• contains newer synthetic hormones called estradiol valerate and dienogest
• is a fourth-generation progesterone pill

Qlaira is a combined contraceptive pill that is taken phasically, so the doses of the active ingredients change depending on where you are in your cycle, mimicking your natural cycle more closely than pills containing the same dose of hormones throughout the pill packet.

Qlaira contains 26 pills with active ingredients and 2 inactive (placebo) pills. Usually, combined pills are taken for 21 days with a 7-day pill-free break. Qlaira is taken for 28 days, with a 2-day hormone break, making it ideal for treating heavy periods. It contains a fourth-generation progesterone, dienogest, that was first used in contraceptives in the UK in 1995.

Brevinor

Brevinor:

• contains 35 micrograms of ethinylestradiol and 500 micrograms of norethisterone
• is a second-generation progesterone pill
• is similar to Norimin

Like Norimin, Brevinor contains ethinylestradiol and norethisterone, but in a slightly different dose.

Femodette

Femodette:

• contains 20 micrograms of ethinylestradiol and 75 micrograms of gestodene
• is a third-generation progesterone pill
• is similar to Femodene, but with a lower dose of oestrogen, and has the same dose as Millinette 20/75

Femodette is a combined contraception pill containing a third-generation progesterone called gestodene, which was first used in Europe in 1987. It’s a low-dose combined pill, because it only contains 20mcg of oestrogen.

Logynon

Logynon:

• is known as a triphasic pill as there are 3 different doses taken throughout the menstrual cycle
• contains ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel in differing doses
• is a second-generation progesterone pill
• is similar to Ovranette, Rigevidon and Microgynon but with some dose variation

Logynon is a triphasic pill. It contains the same active ingredients and works in a similar way to Ovranette and Rigevidon. As Logynon pills have different active ingredients throughout the pill packet, it mimics your cycle more closely. This may reduce side effects and help with menstrual cycle regulation.

Logynon is also found under the brand name Logynon ED, which contains 28 pills, 7 of which are placebo pills and do not contain active ingredients. Some people prefer this to help remember to take their pill every day at the same time.

Millinette

Millinette:

• contains 20 or 30 micrograms of ethinylestradiol and 75 micrograms of gestodene
• is a third-generation progesterone pill
• is similar to the pill Femodene and contains the same dose as Femodette in the 20/75 version

Millinette comes in 2 doses, the one containing 20 micrograms of ethinylestradiol is a low-dose contraceptive pill, making it more suitable for people with oestrogen sensitivities.

Cilique

Cilique:

• contains 250 micrograms of norgestimate and 35 micrograms of ethinylestradiol
• is a third-generation progesterone pill

Cilique includes the third-generation progesterone called norgestimate. This was first patented in 1965 and was used in contraceptive pills in the 1980s. Norgestimate has low androgenic activity, so is less likely to cause androgen-related side effects.

Unlike the combined pill, the mini pill only contains 1 hormone: progesterone. The mini pill works by thickening the cervical mucus so it acts as a barrier that prevents sperm from reaching the egg and can also stop the ovaries releasing an egg every month.

Advantages and disadvantages of the mini pill:

In this section, we’ll be looking at different mini pills for you to consider, along with what generation pill they are, what this means, and the properties of each.

Cerelle

The Cerelle pill:

• contains 75 micrograms of desogestrel
• is a 12-hour window mini pill
• contains a third-generation progesterone
• is similar to Cerazette, Hana, and Zelleta

The desogestrel in Cerelle is a third-generation progesterone, which was discovered in 1972. Because it has less androgenic (male hormone) effects, it causes less oily skin and can be less likely to cause acne than some other mini pills.

Cerelle also has a 12-hour window compared to some other mini pills with only 3-hour windows. This means you can be up to 12 hours late taking it and it will remain effective, though it's best to take it at the same time every day.

Cerazette

The Cerazette pill:

• contains 75 micrograms of desogestrel
• is a 12-hour window mini pill
• contains a third-generation progesterone
• is similar to Cerelle, Hana, and Zelleta

Cerazette contains the same active ingredient in the same dose as Cerelle. It works the same way, having less chance of causing acne and a 12-hour window for taking it.

Norgeston

The Norgeston pill:

• contains 30 micrograms of levonorgestrel
• is a 3-hour window mini pill
• contains a second-generation progesterone
• is the only pill containing only 30mcg of levonorgestrel

Compared to third-generation progesterones, the levonorgestrel in Norgeston has an increased androgenic (male hormone) effect. This means it can make acne more likely, but it can also have a bigger positive effect on endometriosis and heavy periods.

Norgeston has a short 3-hour window, so it must be taken within 3 hours of the day before to remain effective. This is something to bear in mind if you think you might forget or not always take it at exactly the same time each day. Taking it after 3 hours counts as a missed pill, and it becomes less effective.

Hana

The Hana pill:

• contains 75 micrograms of desogestrel
• is a 12-hour window mini pill
• Contains a third-generation progesterone
• is similar to Cerazette and Cerelle

Just like Cerelle and Cerazette, Hana also contains desogestrel at the same dose. So it’s got the same reduced chance of acne and a 12-hour window for taking it. The main difference is that Hana is available over the counter, without a prescription.

Noriday

The Noriday pill:

• contains 350 micrograms of norethisterone
• is a 3-hour window mini pill
• contains a first-generation progesterone
• is the only pill containing only norethisterone at this dose

Noriday contains a first-generation progesterone. While these are not widely used in combined pills any more, it’s still effective. It has less androgenic effect than second-generation progesterones, but more than third-generation ones. This means it may not always improve endometriosis symptoms like heavy periods or acne.

Zelleta

Zelleta:

• contains 75 micrograms of desogestrel
• is a 12-hour window pill
• is a third-generation progesterone
• is similar to the pills Hana, Cerazette, and Cerelle

Like Hana or Cerazette, the Zelleta pill contains desogestrel at the same dose. It has the same 12-hour window for taking it and the same reduced chance of acne.

The most common type of contraceptive pill, a monophasic pill, is a combined pill with the same dose that you take at the same time – most commonly taken as 1 a day for 21 days, followed by a 7-day break.

During the 7-day break, you will have a ‘withdrawal bleed’ that is similar to a period but is a bleed caused by the hormone-free break. After 7 days, you start the next set of pills, even if you are still bleeding. Monophasic pills can also be taken continuously, without a break.

At ZAVA, the following 21-day monophasic pills are available:

• Marvelon, containing 150mcg desogestrel and 30mcg ethinylestradiol
• Yasmin, containing 3mg drospirenone and 30mcg ethinylestradiol
• Brevinor, containing 35mcg ethinylestradiol and 500mcg norethisterone
• Rigevidon, containing 150mcg levonorgestrel and 30mcg ethinylestradiol
• Norimin, containing 35mcg ethinylestradiol and 1mg norethisterone
• Microgynon 30, containing 150mcg levonorgestrel and 30mcg ethinylestradiol
• Mercilon, containing 20mcg of ethinylestradiol and 150mcg desogestrel
• Femodette, containing 20mcg ethinylestradiol and 75mcg gestodene
• Femodene, containing 75mcg gestodene and 30mcg ethinylestradiol
• Gedarel, containing either 20 or 30mcg ethinylestradiol and 150mcg desogestrel
• Lucette, containing 3mg drospirenone and 30mcg ethinylestradiol
• Levest, containing 150mcg levonorgestrel and 30mcg ethinylestradiol
• Ovranette, containing 150mcg levonorgestrel and 30mcg ethinylestradiol
• Millinette, containing either 20 or 30micrograms of ethinylestradiol and 75mcg gestodene
• Cilique, containing 250mcg norgestimate and 35mcg ethinylestradiol

Multiphasic combined contraceptive pills contain different levels of hormones which work to follow the natural hormone changes of your menstrual cycle more closely. A typical pack is divided into 2 to 4 colour-coded sections, each containing a different level of hormones. These types of pills also come in 21 or 28-day packs.

Multiphasic pill brands available at ZAVA include:

• Qlaira, containing estradiol valerate and dienogest
• Logynon, containing ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel

A low-dose combined pill is a contraceptive pill that contains a lower dose, usually 20mcg or less of oestrogen, compared to the common 30 or 35mcg.

Taking a low-dose oestrogen contraceptive can help to reduce side effects such as headaches, breast tenderness, and nausea. The reduced oestrogen can also reduce the risk of blood clots. When taken properly, low-dose pills are just as effective as pills containing more oestrogen.

At ZAVA, we can prescribe the following low-dose pills:

• Mercilon, containing 20mcg ethinylestradiol and 150mcg desogestrel
• Gedarel 20/150, containing 20mcg ethinylestradiol and 150mcg desogestrel
• Millinette 20/75, containing 20mcg ethinylestradiol and 75mcg gestodene
• Femodette, containing 20mcg ethinylestradiol and 75mcg gestodene

Which pill is suitable for you will depend on:

• your current and past health conditions
• what side effects you’re looking to avoid
• what benefits you want from your pill
• if you’re likely to forget doses

If you’re still not sure which pill to choose, a healthcare professional can give you advice. ZAVA’s online doctor service can review your situation through our assessment and check whether the pill you request is right for you, and suggest alternatives. You can also have a phone consultation with one of our doctors to discuss your options before making a decision.