The combined pill is the type of pill that is most commonly prescribed. It contains both estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and progestin. Which progestin is included varies from product to product. Meanwhile, there is also a combination pill that contains a type of estrogen that provides estradiol – the estrogen that is produced in the body – instead of ethinylestradiol.
Minipill
In addition to the combined pill, there is also the so-called mini-pill, which is a progestin-only pill. It is usually prescribed to women who are not allowed to take estrogen for certain reasons. Due to their low hormone concentration, they hardly affect the body’s own hormone production.
Since minipills do not contain estrogen, ovulation still occurs in women – with the exception of one preparation. Fertilization is therefore possible if the minipill is not taken in a fixed time window. Overall, the minipill is considered somewhat less safe than the combined pill.
Single-phase and multiphase pill
However, with birth control pills, there are differences not only in terms of the hormones they contain, but also in terms of their dosage. Single-phase pills (monophasic) are most commonly prescribed, in which all pills taken have the same hormone content.
In the case of multiphasic pills, on the other hand, the type of hormones contained and their content vary. It is therefore essential to take the individual pills in the correct order. To make it easier to take the pills, they have different colors in the different phases of the cycle. Unlike single-phase pills, multi-phase pills take into account the natural fluctuations of female hormone levels.
21+7, 24+4 and 26+2
Finally, in the case of combined pills, there are differences in terms of the duration of use. The most common is the 21+7 regimen, in which the pill is taken for 21 days at a time, followed by a pill break of seven days. Alternatively, there are also some preparations that contain seven placebo pills without active ingredient, so that continuous intake can take place. During the seven days in which no or the placebo pills are taken, menstruation takes place.
In the 24+4 regimen, hormone-containing pills are taken over a period of 24 days, followed by a break of four days in which placebo tablets are taken. During this time, menstruation takes place. The 26+2 regimen is based on a similar system. Here, pills with different hormone concentrations are taken for 26 days. This is followed by two days in which hormone-free placebo pills are taken.
