Reducing the side effects of birth control pills (cheers to the gallery!) led to a reduction in the amount of synthetic hormones, estrogen and progestin, they contained and to the development of the ‘next generation’, low dose birth control pills. “Low dose” won’t mean much to you if you don’t know what the term refers to, so the basic information below may help.

So how low can I go with the dosage of hormonal ingredients to still be effective in preventing pregnancy?

Good question, since not all birth control pills contain exactly the same amount of estrogen and progestin. I thought a helpful reference for you would be a list of low and ultra low dose pills so you can at least discuss the pros and cons with your doctor and see if you’re a good candidate to go from, say, a low dose 0.035mg of estrogen up to an ultra-low dose of 0.020 mg of estrogen. You may experience fewer or fewer side effects. Generic brands of low-dose birth control pills are also available.

Birth control pills with the lowest amount of estrogenthat is, 0.02 mg of estrogen (usually ethinyl estradiol) is classified as ‘ultra low dose’ contraceptive pills. 0.020 mg of estrogen is sufficient for contraception, but side effects of spotting and breakthrough bleeding are more common with this type of ultra-low-dose birth control pill than with low-dose pills containing 0.030 mg or 0.035 mg of estrogen.

Here are some brands of the “ultra low dose” birth control pills on the market , you can find a generic version online now that you know how much estrogen to look for. The estrogen component is listed first and the progestin component second.

• Alesse (Aviane, Lessina, Lutera, Sronyx) contains 0.02 mg of ethinyl estradiol and 0.1 mg of levonorgestrel
• Mircette contains 0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol and 0.15 mg desogestrel.

Pills containing 0.02 mg to 0.035 mg of estrogen are classified as “low dose” pills.
Here are some brands of “low dose” birth control pills:

• LoOvral contains 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol and 0.3 mg nogestrel
• Nordette contains 0.03 mg ethinylestradiol and 0.15 mg levognogestrel.
• Ortho-Cept (Reclipsen, Solia) contains 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol and 0.15 mg desogestrel
• Desogen contains 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol and 0.15 mg desogestrel.
• Levlen21 contains 0.03 mg of ethinyl estradiol and 0.15 mg of levonorgestrel
• Seasonale/Seasonique contains 0.03 mg ethinylestradiol and 0.15 mg levonorgestrel

If you are a fan of triphasic pills, here are some low-dose pills: cyclosa

Phase 1: ethinyl estradiol 0.025 mg and desogestrel 0.1 mg

Phase 2: ethinyl estradiol 0.025 mg and desogestrel 0.125 mg

Phase 3: ethinyl estradiol 0.025 mg and desogestrel 0.15 mg

In a study of 5,654 women, over six menstrual cycles, some used the popular Ortho-Novum 7/7/7 triphasic and others used Cyclessa. Women who used Cyclessa were found to have significantly less breakthrough bleeding or spotting and experienced an average weight loss of 4 pounds. versus an average weight gain of 2 lbs. with those who took Ortho-Novum 7/7/7.

Ortho Tricyclen Lo: 3 types of pills in the pack

• Each white tablet contains 0.025 mg ethinylestradiol and 0.180 mg norgestimate.
• each light blue tablet contains 0.025 mg ethinyl estradiol and 0.215 mg norgestimate
• each dark blue tablet contains 0.025 mg ethinylestradiol and 0.250 mg norgestimate

(Ortho Tricyclen and Ortho-Cyclen, each with 0.035 mg of ethinylestradiol, contain slightly higher amounts of estrogen in each pill type than Ortho Tricyclen Lo)

YASMIN and YAZ are two more low-dose birth control pills containing 0.03 mg and 0.02 mg respectively

of estrogen but have a different type of progestin of the other pills called drospirenone (3.0 mg). On the downside, since Yasmin/Yaz can increase potassium levels, it is not recommended for women with liver, adrenal, or kidney problems, but on the plus side, Yasmin/Yaz appears to reduce water retention and therefore , swelling and in some women it gives a feeling of well-being. These pills also have a following among acne sufferers as they seem to improve this skin condition in many cases. As with many other types of birth control pills, Yasmin may not be right for you if you also take other pain relievers, potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, or specific medications, so you MUST check this with a doctor first.

lactating moms

You may have heard of the ‘mini’ pill (progestin-only pill or POP) which is usually prescribed for women who are breastfeeding or have estrogen intolerance. A ‘Mini Pill’ can be started immediately after delivery or abortion. There is no 7-day break or dummy pill like there is with the combined pill and it must be taken at the same time every day. Micronor contains 0.35 mg norethindrone and NO estrogen. In other countries, some brand names include: Microlut 28, Microval 28, Locilan 28 and Noriday.

Pills that contain high amounts of estrogen or progestin are used for emergency contraception and are known as ‘the morning after pill’ or Plan B. A common pill is Preven: each blue film-coated pill contains 0.25 mg levonorgestrel and 0.05 mg ( that’s MILLIGRAMS, not micrograms) of estrogen, you usually take 2 doses, 12 hours apart. Plan B is a “morning after pill” that contains only one hormone, progestin (levonorgestrel) tablets, 0.75 mg.