Choosing the Right Birth Control Pill: A Guide to Popular Brands

There are a lot of birth control pills on the market and they don't all act the same. This is a side-by-side look at the most common brands of combined and progestin-only pills: what's in each, who they suit, and how to pick.

TeleTest Team
TeleTest Team
Aug. 2, 2024 · 5 min read

The Two Types of Pills

Birth control pills come in two main categories: Combined Oral Contraceptives (COCs) and Progestin-Only Pills (POPs). They have different ingredients and work slightly differently.

A. Combined Oral Contraceptives (COCs)

COCs contain estrogen and progestin. The combination prevents ovulation, so there's no egg to fertilize. They also thicken cervical mucus to block sperm and thin the uterine lining so a fertilized egg has trouble implanting.

Common COCs:

  • Yaz
  • Yasmin
  • Ortho Tri-Cyclen
  • Loestrin
  • Movisse
  • Alesse
  • Alysena
  • Mirvala
  • Lolo

B. Progestin-Only Pills (POPs)

POPs (sometimes called "mini-pills") only contain progestin. They're a fit for women who can't take estrogen, including those who are breastfeeding or have a higher risk of blood clots. POPs mainly thicken cervical mucus and thin the uterine lining. In some cases they also suppress ovulation.

Common POPs:

  • Micronor
  • Camila
  • Slynd

Each type has trade-offs. COCs are generally more effective and offer side benefits like cycle regulation and acne control, but they carry higher blood-clot risk, particularly for smokers or those with certain health conditions. POPs are safer for some women but need to be taken at the same time every day to stay effective.

Popular Combined Oral Contraceptives (COCs)

Here's a rundown of the major COC brands, what's in them, and what they're known for.

Yaz

  • Composition: Ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone
  • Strengths: Helps with acne and lighter periods. Often used for premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
  • Side effects: Nausea, headache, breast tenderness, and elevated blood-clot risk.

Yasmin

  • Composition: Ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone
  • Strengths: Reduces water retention and bloating. Can stabilize mood swings and improve acne.
  • Side effects: Nausea, breast tenderness, headache, higher clot risk.

Ortho Tri-Cyclen

  • Composition: Ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate
  • Strengths: Effective for acne. Uses a three-phase dose that mirrors the natural menstrual cycle.
  • Side effects: Nausea, headache, breast tenderness, mood changes.

Loestrin

  • Composition: Ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone acetate
  • Strengths: Lower hormone dose, so fewer side effects. Periods tend to be shorter and lighter.
  • Side effects: Breakthrough bleeding, nausea, breast tenderness.

Movisse

  • Composition: Ethinyl estradiol and desogestrel
  • Strengths: Reliable cycle control and helps with acne.
  • Side effects: Nausea, headache, breast tenderness, possible elevated clot risk.

Alesse

  • Composition: Ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel
  • Strengths: Low-dose, generally well tolerated, effective.
  • Side effects: Nausea, headache, breast tenderness.

Alysena

  • Composition: Ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel
  • Strengths: Generic, so more affordable. Reliable pregnancy prevention and cycle control.
  • Side effects: Nausea, headache, breast tenderness.

Mirvala

  • Composition: Ethinyl estradiol and desogestrel
  • Strengths: Regulates the cycle and can improve acne.
  • Side effects: Nausea, headache, breast tenderness, possible elevated clot risk.

Lolo

  • Composition: Ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone acetate
  • Strengths: Very low hormone dose, so fewer side effects. Helps with cycle control and period pain.
  • Side effects: Breakthrough bleeding, nausea, breast tenderness.

Popular Progestin-Only Pills (POPs)

POPs are the option for women who can't take estrogen, including those breastfeeding or at higher clot risk.

Micronor

  • Composition: Norethindrone
  • Strengths: Doesn't affect milk production, so it's commonly used while breastfeeding. Thickens cervical mucus and thins the uterine lining.
  • Side effects: Irregular cycles, spotting, mood changes.

Camila

  • Composition: Norethindrone
  • Strengths: Similar to Micronor. Lower clot risk than COCs.
  • Side effects: Irregular periods, spotting, mood swings.

Slynd

  • Composition: Drospirenone
  • Strengths: 24-hour missed-pill window, so it's more forgiving. Helps with acne. Can be taken continuously.
  • Side effects: Nausea, headache, breast tenderness, irregular bleeding.

What to Know About POPs

  • Effectiveness: All POPs work well when taken correctly, but timing matters: same time every day.
  • Side effects: Irregular cycles, spotting, and mood changes are typical. Usually milder than COC side effects.
  • When they're best: Breastfeeding or at higher clot risk. No estrogen.
  • Missed-pill window: Slynd has a 24-hour window. Other POPs need stricter timing.

How to Compare Pills

When weighing different brands, these are the factors that usually matter most.

[Embedded image: Birth Control Pills Comparison]

A. Effectiveness

  • All birth control pills, COC or POP, are over 99% effective with perfect use. Real-world effectiveness drops to about 91% because of missed or mistimed pills.

B. Hormone Levels

  • Lower-hormone pills like Lolo tend to have fewer side effects, but more breakthrough bleeding. Higher hormone doses give better cycle control but raise the chance of nausea and headaches.

C. Side Effects

  • Common side effects across pills: nausea, headache, breast tenderness, mood changes. Drospirenone-containing pills (Yaz, Yasmin) carry a higher clot risk. POPs often cause irregular periods and spotting.

D. Other Health Benefits

  • Yaz and Ortho Tri-Cyclen are go-to options for acne. Loestrin and Lolo make periods lighter and shorter. Drospirenone pills reduce water retention and bloating.

E. Cost and Coverage

  • If you're under 25 in Ontario, OHIP+ may cover the cost. Otherwise, generics like Alysena are usually cheaper than brand names. Private employer plans cover different brands, so check before filling.

Personal Factors

Bodies respond differently to the same pill. Health history and lifestyle should drive the choice as much as the brand specs.

Health Conditions

  • High blood pressure: Avoid pills with higher estrogen. They push BP further up.
  • Migraines: If you get migraines with aura, be cautious with estrogen-containing pills. They can trigger more severe migraines.
  • History of blood clots: Use a progestin-only pill to keep risk low.

Lifestyle Factors

  • Smoking: Smoking and estrogen don't mix, especially over 35. POPs are safer for smokers.
  • Breastfeeding: POPs are the standard choice. They don't affect milk supply.
  • Weight: Some studies suggest pills may be less effective at higher body weights. Talk to your doctor about it.

Talk to a Doctor

This guide is a starting point. The right pick depends on your medical history, current health, and goals. TeleTest offers all the major brands of hormonal birth control, and our providers can review your situation and recommend a fit.

Beyond Pills

Hormonal pills are one option among several. IUDs, implants, injections, patches, vaginal rings, barrier methods, and natural family planning all have their place. If pills don't suit you, ask about the alternatives.

Disclaimer: This blog post is intended for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personal health concerns.

Back to Blog Overview