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Birth Control Pills: How Do They Compare?

Tue, 08/12/2008 - 8:00am by DearSugar
2,598 Views - 35 comments

I don't know about you, but just about every woman I know has been on or is taking birth control pills. There are so many different brands out there and they all offer different amounts of hormones, so I made this handy chart to help you figure out which one may be right for you. These pills are combination pills, which means they contain a type of estrogen (ethinyl estradiol), and a type of progestin (levonorgestrel, desogestrel, norethindrone). The pills with the least amount of ethinyl estradiol tend to offer the least amount of side effects, and the ones that offer the same hormonal dosages each day (monophasic pills) will help to ease PMS symptoms (mainly mood swings). With so many different options out there, it's important to know what's actually in these pills, since every woman's body reacts differently to hormonal birth control. Check out my chart below:

Birth Control Hormone Dosage
Alesse .10 mg levonorgestrel and 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Brevikon .5 mg norethindrone acetate and 35 mcg estrogen per pill
Cyclessa Phase 1: .1 mg desogestrel and 25 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Phase 2: .125 mg desogestrel and 25 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Phase 3: 15 mg desogestrel and 25 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Jolessa .15 mg levonorgestrel and 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Junel 21 Day 1.5 mg norethindrone acetate and 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Kelnor 1 mg ethynodiol diacetate and 35 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Loestrin 21 1 mg norethindrone acetate and 20 mcg estrogen per pill

Don't see yours on the list? To see the others, read more.

Birth Control Hormone Dosage
Lybrel .09 mg levonorgestrel and 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Nordette .15 mg levonorgestrel and 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Orthro Tri-Cyclen Phase 1: .18 mg norgestimate and 35 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Phase 2: .215 mg norgestimate and 35 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Phase 3: 25 mg norgestimate and 35 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Orthro Tri-Cyclen Lo Phase 1: .18 mg norgestimate and 25 mcg ethinyl estradiol (type of estrogen) per pill
Phase 2: .215 mg norgestimate and 25 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Phase 3: 25 mg norgestimate and 25 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Reclipsen .15 mg desogestrel and 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Seasonal .15 mg levonorgestrel and 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Seasonique .15 mg levonorgestrel and 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Solia .15 mg desogestrel and 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Trivora-28 Phase 1: .5 mg levonorgestrel and 30 mcgethinyl estradiol per pill
Phase 2: .075 mg levonorgestrel and 40 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Phase 3: .125 mg levonorgestrel and 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Velivet Phase 1: .1 mg desogestrel and 25 mcgethinyl estradiol per pill
Phase 2: .125 mg desogrestrel and 25 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Phase 3: .15 mg desogestrel and 24 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Yasmin 3 mg drospirenone and 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Yaz 3 mg drospirenone and 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill

Pretty interesting information, huh? So ladies, if you're on the pill, which one works best for you?

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35 Comments Add a Comment

  • lawchick's picture
    lawchick
    1

    Love my Nordette (or generic - Levora) -- been on it for 10 years. I couldn't use the pills that had differing amounts of hormones throughout the month.

    14 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • Dr No's picture
    Dr No
    4

    I've tried four brands of pills but now I swear by the ring! I could never remember to take the pills at the same time every day...even after years of taking them. Before I started the ring, though, I liked Yaz the best.

    14 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • princess_eab's picture
    princess_eab
    6

    I was on NuvaRing for three years and LOVED it... no serious side effects other than spotting for the first few months. Now I'm off BC and scared to try anything else (I'm single now). The price through my insurance really jumped.

    14 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • ohkate's picture
    ohkate
    7

    I read somewhere recently that one side effect of Orthro Tri-Cyclen Lo is lower sex drive and slight hair loss... any truth to that?

    14 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • Sun_Sun's picture
    Sun_Sun
    9

    im on alesse...so far so good
    no weight gain or lower sex drive or any of that.
    i dont have extreme pms, just a little normal pms Sticking out tongue

    14 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • imLissy's picture
    imLissy
    11

    I *heart* my seasonale. I guess they have html tags blocked

    14 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • bbkf's picture
    bbkf
    12

    I've been on Ortho tricyclen Lo for years with no side effects. Ohkate- I definitely do not have a reduced sex drive!

    14 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • gigly_grl's picture
    gigly_grl
    13

    Was on Diane for about 5years... more for acne than anything else haha

    Loved it, but a couple years ago tried a few different ones to see if I didn't need it anymore for the acne, as well as seeing how it effected my moods, etc. Ended up going back (i have the skin of a 13 year old boy Sticking out tongue), and now more recently trying Yasmin. I honestly can't tell a difference between Yasmin and Diane.

    14 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • Leilanic1's picture
    Leilanic1
    14

    i switched to ortho-tricylen lo and definitely notice a decrease in my drive/interest in sex. but my pimple breakouts decreased. i need to go talk to my doctor about getting on something different. i've now been switched to the generic ortho tricylen (lo doesn't come in generic) and have noticed even more decrease in sex drive, random hairs growing!, and upset stomach. maybe i'll try the ring.

    14 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • StefanieO's picture
    StefanieO
    15

    I switched from ortho-tri-cyclen lo to Yaz, and Yaz has been wonderful. My skin looks good, and no kooky mood swings. No (bad) side effects at all.

    14 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • sparklestar's picture
    sparklestar
    16

    I was on femodette and it sent me LOOPY!! Off hormonal birth control for good now. It's just not worth it!

    14 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • cheer4veggies's picture
    cheer4veggies
    17

    love love love my jolessa (generic of seasonale) its the only kind ive ever been on and have zero plans of switching. i save loads of money never needing to buy pads or tampons.

    14 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • Madoka321's picture
    Madoka321
    18

    What about progesterone only pills for those of us out there who can't have any added estrogen in our bodies? I have been on Camila for about 5 years. I was taken off the others because of Migraines. Where does Camila and others of that type stand on the list?

    14 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • sonya ina's picture
    sonya ina
    19

    Mine's not listed on here, but I take Estrostep FE (i.e. Tilia FE). It was originally prescribed to me 5 years ago in order to regulate my cycle and I've been on it ever since. I've never had any problem -- no weight gain, moodiness, or decreased sex drive, yippee! No complaints from me! Oh, and I'm not pregnant, ha!

    14 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • ThePerfectScore's picture
    ThePerfectScore
    20

    I was 1st on Yasmin... now on Yaz.... both prevent pregnancy... and I dont have side effects, but I don't think my periods are a dream come true haha... they still last about 5 days... but at least on the pill I have an exact date for them to start each month.

    14 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • MissMeow's picture
    MissMeow
    21

    I'm on Tri-cyclen lo, switched over from yaz. Yaz gave me a week of horrible pms a month. A few days I can stand, but I turned into a monster for 7 days straight. Things are much better with Ortho lo. Haven't noticed a decrease in my sex drive at allll.

    14 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • sushi09's picture
    sushi09
    22

    ohkate - i am on ortho lo and my sex drive is lower and my hair loss has increased, but otherwise the pill has worked great for 4 years. however, i am thinking of switching to yaz cuz these 2 side effects are pretty major!!

    14 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • bibliophile's picture
    bibliophile
    23

    Ortho Tri-cyclen Lo gave me the worst nausea, but since I've switched to Loestrin, I've been feeling great.

    14 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • Greentea1203's picture
    Greentea1203
    24

    I've been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo for a couple years now and have had no side effects. Definitely not a lower sex drive at all, that's for sure! I haven't noticed any hair loss or anything. I think it makes me gain a few lbs--but that could just be my crazy mind. I used to think it gave me terrible mood swings, but it turns out that was just my exboyfriend doing that to me. Sticking out tongue

    14 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • zabrow's picture
    zabrow
    25

    i was taken off combo pills because of migraines with auras. now i'm off hormonal birth control for the first time in nine years & it is GREAT. my skin has cleared up, my sex drive is back & i'm losing weight like crazy. i know it usually works just the opposite for most people, but MAN, i had no idea!

    14 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • GlowingMoon's picture
    GlowingMoon
    26

    Wow, I happy that BC pills works for many of you. I've had a bout with them, and they did NOT agree with me. If memory serves me correctly, I tried about three brands. Physically and psychologically, I was a wreck. I had every possible side effect, and I was so FATIGUED.

    Well, I'm glad the pill works for many of you.

    14 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • dameneko's picture
    dameneko
    27

    i used ortho tri-cyclen for over 15 years, and finally my body said "NO MORE!" -- i started getting side effects like fatigue, bloat and bleeding that went away when i went off it. Sad i think it is because my body is hormonally different in my early 30's than when i was 16...so just as an exercise, i'm seeing what's really "normal" for my body and my cycle. when i go back on the pill, it will probably be something like yaz -- many of my friends switched to it in the past few years and they are all pretty happy with it.

    14 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • cjmara805's picture
    cjmara805
    28

    I'm all about the ring. Years ago I tried Mircette and Zovia, they were terrible and I stopped taking them because the side effects weren't worth the benefit. Last year my doctor put me on Yaz but it made my boobs HUGE and painful and I had a permanent headache... now I'm on the ring and I couldn't be happier.

    14 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • Beaner's picture
    Beaner
    29

    I was on ortho tricyclen Lo and Loestren and I just didn't like being on them, and neither did my man. He said he didn't want me putting chemicals in my body. Plus it made me gain weight and I cried for a week before my period. Now I'm off hormonal BC and I feel sane again.

    14 weeks 17 hours ago Report Comment
  • MisterPinkNoTip's picture
    MisterPinkNoTip
    30

    After the dreadful side effects of Yaz, I'm really reluctant to try another birth control again.

    14 weeks 7 hours ago Report Comment
  • arbywhopper's picture
    arbywhopper
    31

    I am on Ortho- Lo. I can remember to take it at all. I use to be on the ring and I didn't like it at all! It was painful and my hubby said he could feel it during sex. I want to try Implanon, but I'm scared. And i can never remember to take the pill. I haven't even been on it a week and I have already forgotten it twice. And i DON'T want to get pregnant!!

    13 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • fasdy's picture
    fasdy
    32

    I've been on Microgestin Fe 1/20 (Alesse generic) for 2.5 years. No problems at all! Haven't had to purchase tampons -- I always had light periods, but on this BC it's non-existent. I get mild cramps about 3 times a year, though, in return.

    I just switched to my own insurance plan and it's $40 a year ($10 for 3 months) for the prescription. Previously, on my mom's work plan, it was $20 a year ($5 for 3 months).

    The first BC I tried (can't remember which one) I was only on for three months before my current one. While bigger boobs were awesome, I also gained a couple of pounds in the process and the hormones were definitely getting to me.

    13 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • Phunkometry's picture
    Phunkometry
    33

    I've been on Yaz for over a year... at first, it gave me weird acne, but recently I've had a boob growth spurt (from a B to almost more than a C in like a moth or so... so it might be from that. However, my terrible cramps that kept me in bed for a few days are gone (I still get mild dull pain, but not like it used to be), and I tend not to be as b*tchy as I used to be. And period is right on time, and somewhat lighter than it used to be.

    No insurance plan, though, so it's $50+ a month. Sad Anyone know if there's a generic for Yaz?

    13 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment
  • YoursToKeep's picture
    YoursToKeep
    34

    I just started on Yasmin almost a week ago, so I haven't seen any changes yet, but I was just wondering what to expect. A couple of you commented on the awful side effects you had from it, what specifically did you have? And will my boobs grow for sure? (thats something I'm definitely not looking forward too!)

    9 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • Natalie Love's picture
    Natalie Love
    35

    I've been on Diane for the past 2.5 years.

    It has a bad rep as it has increased chances of giving you blood clots, so I had to beg my gyno to give it to me again.

    I originally went on it for messed up periods and acne, and now, my skin is SO great, no side affects, I REALLY don't wanna switch.

    I think I'll be put on Yasmin next time I go, in a year. Hopefully my skin won't be bad.. eek.

    5 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment

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