Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of PillsSide Effects of Combination PillsSide Effects of Progestin PillsPills With Minimal Side Effects
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types of Pills
Side Effects of Combination Pills
Side Effects of Progestin Pills
Pills With Minimal Side Effects
To find the rightbirth control pillsthat will lead to fewer side effects, you’ll want to consider all your options. Birth control pills can containonlyprogestin, whilecombination birth control pillsalso contain estrogen.They are all effective when taken as prescribed, but there can be differences in the risks and side effects.
This article presents information to help you make an informed decision about birth control pills. Your healthcare provider can help you to determine which of the contraceptive options is best for you.
PhotoAlto / Antoine Arraou / Getty Images
Understanding Different Types of Birth Control Pills
There are two main types of birth control pills: those with progestin (progesterone) and those with a combination of progestin and estrogen.
Progestin-Only Pills
Progestin acts to prevent ovulation and typically leads to less bleeding with your period.These pills also thin the lining of the uterus and thicken vaginal mucus that may interfere with sperm that enter the vagina.
However, progestin may not always prevent ovulation in everyone; the progestininjectionsmay be slightly more effective than the pills.
Progestin-only pills (sometimes called minipills) are usually made withnorethindrone, a first-generation progestin. Common brands of progestin-only pills include:
Slyndis a progestin-only pill made with drosperinone, and Opill is made with norgestrel.
Combination Pills
Combination pills are made with a synthetic estrogen (typically ethinyl estradiol) and a progestin, such as the latest-generation progestin calleddrospirenone.They are available in three different phase types, with variations in the level of hormones delivered at various times across a cycle.
The combination pills also can vary depending on high or low dosage, or if you’re trying acontinuous cycle pill. Some of the combination pill brands include:
Just as there are different reasons for taking a specific oral contraceptive, there also are side effects that occur with hormonal birth control. The birth control pills with the least side effects will depend on your individual needs and medical history.
How to Choose Contraception
Common Side Effects of Combination Birth Control Pills
There are common side effects associated with the use of combination birth control pills. These side effects include:
Missed periods, spotting, or changes in your menstrual flow also can occur with these pills.
Spotting vs. Period
Common Side Effects of Progestin-Only Birth Control Pills
The common side effects of progestin-only birth control pills include many of the same symptoms as the combination pills, including:
People with progestin-only pills also may experienceheadachesandincreased hair growth.
When to Seek Immediate Medical CareYou should tell your healthcare provider if you experience severe headaches, especially if you also have vision changes, one-sided weakness, and other more serious symptoms.Chest pain,shortness of breath, andspeech problemsshould be diagnosed immediately.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Care
You should tell your healthcare provider if you experience severe headaches, especially if you also have vision changes, one-sided weakness, and other more serious symptoms.Chest pain,shortness of breath, andspeech problemsshould be diagnosed immediately.
What Is a Retinal Migraine?
Choosing the Pills With the Least Side Effects
Combinationhormonal contraceptivesand progestin-only products in their various forms can lead to side effects and increased risks for different reasons. Knowing the differences can help you to choose birth control pills with the least side effects.
Different types of progestins each have different potency and the pills have different androgenic, estrogenic, and progestational activity. The newer drospirenone, for example, may influence blood pressure and cholesterol levels due to anti-androgenic activity.
Some oral contraceptives tend to have high androgenic effects and low estrogen activity.Lower estrogen effects, for example, may limit breast tenderness and bloating. Birth control pills containing this high androgenic/low estrogenic pattern include:
Typically, the balance (or ratio) between the estrogen and progestin in a pill brand may play a role in the side effects that you experience. Talk with your healthcare provider about finding the right balance for your health needs.
The following chart can help you to understand some of the general guidelines., based on the dosages and the related side effects.
Side Effect (Problem)What Causes the EffectTry These Pill Brands to Minimize the Side EffectAcneHigher estrogen, lower androgen potencyDemulen 1/50, Brevicon, Mircette, Modicon, Necon, Ortho-Cyclen, Ortho-TriCyclen, YasminBreakthrough bleeding (spotting)Higher estrogen, higher progestin potency, lower androgen potencyDemulen 1/50, Desogen, Ortho-Cept, Yasmin, Zovia 1/50E, Estrostep FEBreast sorenessLower estrogen, lower progestin potencyLevliteDepressionLower progestin potencyBrevicon, Levlite, Modicon, Necon 1/35, Ortho-Cyclen, Ortho-TriCyclen, Tri-Levlen, Triphasil, TrivoraEndometriosis or endometriosis preventionLower estrogen, higher progestin potency, higher androgen potencyDemulen 1/35, Levlen, Levora, Loestrin 1.5/30, Loestrin 1/20 Fe, LoOvral, Nordette, Zovia 1/35E (used either continuously with no days of placebo pills or with only 4 days of placebo pills for prevention)Headaches (not menstrual migraines)Lower estrogen, lower progestin potencyBrevicon, Levlite, Modicon, Necon 1/35, Ortho-Cyclen, Ortho-TriCyclen, Tri-Levlen, Triphasil, TrivoraMoodiness or irritabilityLower progestin potencyLevlite, Loestrin 1/20 Fe, Yasmin,Yaz, Beyaz (or any pill with less estrogen than currently on)Severe menstrual crampsHigher progestin potencyDemulen 1/35, Demulen 1/50, Desogen, Mircette, Loestrin 1.5/30, Ortho-Cept, Yasmin, Zovia 1/35E, Zovia 1/50EWeight gainLower estrogen, lower progestin potencyLevlite, Loestrin 1/20 Fe, Yasmin, Yaz, Beyaz (or any pill with less estrogen than currently on)Can Birth Control Make You Tired?SummaryRemember that each person can react differently to a specific birth control method which may also vary based on its intended use, so this information is meant to be a general overview. In addition, it is important to point out that the main reason to use hormonal birth control is for contraception (to prevent anunintended pregnancy), though some pills are used in treating acne or conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Considering these potentialnon-contraceptive benefitsof birth control, as well as unwanted side effects, can be part of the discussion you have with your healthcare provider when determining which hormonal method may be best suited for you.If You Change Your PrescriptionGive the pills you are currently taking a fair trial of at least two to three months. If you haveswitched your pill brand, you should also give the new ones a two- to three-month trial. It often takes a few months just for your body to adjust to the new hormones in your birth control pill.Estrogen and Progesterone: Reasons to Balance Levels
Can Birth Control Make You Tired?
Summary
Remember that each person can react differently to a specific birth control method which may also vary based on its intended use, so this information is meant to be a general overview. In addition, it is important to point out that the main reason to use hormonal birth control is for contraception (to prevent anunintended pregnancy), though some pills are used in treating acne or conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Considering these potentialnon-contraceptive benefitsof birth control, as well as unwanted side effects, can be part of the discussion you have with your healthcare provider when determining which hormonal method may be best suited for you.
If You Change Your PrescriptionGive the pills you are currently taking a fair trial of at least two to three months. If you haveswitched your pill brand, you should also give the new ones a two- to three-month trial. It often takes a few months just for your body to adjust to the new hormones in your birth control pill.
If You Change Your Prescription
Give the pills you are currently taking a fair trial of at least two to three months. If you haveswitched your pill brand, you should also give the new ones a two- to three-month trial. It often takes a few months just for your body to adjust to the new hormones in your birth control pill.
Estrogen and Progesterone: Reasons to Balance Levels
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Teal S, Edelman A.Contraception Selection, Effectiveness, and Adverse Effects: A Review.JAMA. 2021 Dec 28;326(24):2507-2518. doi: 10.1001/jama.2021.21392.Food and Drug Administration.Opill tablets (norgestrel tablets)[drug label].Sims ST, Heather AK.Myths and methodologies: reducing scientific design ambiguity in studies comparing sexes and/or menstrual cycle phases.Exp Physiol. 2018;103(10):1309-1317. doi:10.1113/EP086797The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Progestin-only hormonal birth control: Pill and injection.MedlinePlus.Progestin-Only (norethindrone) Oral Contraceptives.Lee A, Syed YY.Estetrol/Drospirenone: A Review in Oral Contraception.Drugs. 2022 Jul;82(10):1117-1125. doi:10.1007/s40265-022-01738-8.MedlinePlus.Estrogen and Progestin (Oral Contraceptives).García-Sáenz M, Ibarra-Salce R, Pozos-Varela FJ, Mena-Ureta TS, Flores-Villagómez S, Santana-Mata M,et al.Understanding Progestins: From Basics to Clinical Applicability.J Clin Med. 2023 May 10;12(10):3388. doi: 10.3390/jcm12103388.Stanford Health Care.Los Olivos Women’s Medical Group.Additional ReadingJelovsek, R. Which Oral Contraceptive Pill Is Best for Me?
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Teal S, Edelman A.Contraception Selection, Effectiveness, and Adverse Effects: A Review.JAMA. 2021 Dec 28;326(24):2507-2518. doi: 10.1001/jama.2021.21392.Food and Drug Administration.Opill tablets (norgestrel tablets)[drug label].Sims ST, Heather AK.Myths and methodologies: reducing scientific design ambiguity in studies comparing sexes and/or menstrual cycle phases.Exp Physiol. 2018;103(10):1309-1317. doi:10.1113/EP086797The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Progestin-only hormonal birth control: Pill and injection.MedlinePlus.Progestin-Only (norethindrone) Oral Contraceptives.Lee A, Syed YY.Estetrol/Drospirenone: A Review in Oral Contraception.Drugs. 2022 Jul;82(10):1117-1125. doi:10.1007/s40265-022-01738-8.MedlinePlus.Estrogen and Progestin (Oral Contraceptives).García-Sáenz M, Ibarra-Salce R, Pozos-Varela FJ, Mena-Ureta TS, Flores-Villagómez S, Santana-Mata M,et al.Understanding Progestins: From Basics to Clinical Applicability.J Clin Med. 2023 May 10;12(10):3388. doi: 10.3390/jcm12103388.Stanford Health Care.Los Olivos Women’s Medical Group.Additional ReadingJelovsek, R. Which Oral Contraceptive Pill Is Best for Me?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Teal S, Edelman A.Contraception Selection, Effectiveness, and Adverse Effects: A Review.JAMA. 2021 Dec 28;326(24):2507-2518. doi: 10.1001/jama.2021.21392.Food and Drug Administration.Opill tablets (norgestrel tablets)[drug label].Sims ST, Heather AK.Myths and methodologies: reducing scientific design ambiguity in studies comparing sexes and/or menstrual cycle phases.Exp Physiol. 2018;103(10):1309-1317. doi:10.1113/EP086797The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Progestin-only hormonal birth control: Pill and injection.MedlinePlus.Progestin-Only (norethindrone) Oral Contraceptives.Lee A, Syed YY.Estetrol/Drospirenone: A Review in Oral Contraception.Drugs. 2022 Jul;82(10):1117-1125. doi:10.1007/s40265-022-01738-8.MedlinePlus.Estrogen and Progestin (Oral Contraceptives).García-Sáenz M, Ibarra-Salce R, Pozos-Varela FJ, Mena-Ureta TS, Flores-Villagómez S, Santana-Mata M,et al.Understanding Progestins: From Basics to Clinical Applicability.J Clin Med. 2023 May 10;12(10):3388. doi: 10.3390/jcm12103388.Stanford Health Care.Los Olivos Women’s Medical Group.
Teal S, Edelman A.Contraception Selection, Effectiveness, and Adverse Effects: A Review.JAMA. 2021 Dec 28;326(24):2507-2518. doi: 10.1001/jama.2021.21392.
Food and Drug Administration.Opill tablets (norgestrel tablets)[drug label].
Sims ST, Heather AK.Myths and methodologies: reducing scientific design ambiguity in studies comparing sexes and/or menstrual cycle phases.Exp Physiol. 2018;103(10):1309-1317. doi:10.1113/EP086797
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Progestin-only hormonal birth control: Pill and injection.
MedlinePlus.Progestin-Only (norethindrone) Oral Contraceptives.
Lee A, Syed YY.Estetrol/Drospirenone: A Review in Oral Contraception.Drugs. 2022 Jul;82(10):1117-1125. doi:10.1007/s40265-022-01738-8.
MedlinePlus.Estrogen and Progestin (Oral Contraceptives).
García-Sáenz M, Ibarra-Salce R, Pozos-Varela FJ, Mena-Ureta TS, Flores-Villagómez S, Santana-Mata M,et al.Understanding Progestins: From Basics to Clinical Applicability.J Clin Med. 2023 May 10;12(10):3388. doi: 10.3390/jcm12103388.
Stanford Health Care.Los Olivos Women’s Medical Group.
Jelovsek, R. Which Oral Contraceptive Pill Is Best for Me?
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