What are combination oral contraceptives?

Answer

Oral contraceptives have been marketed in the United States since 1962. The dose of sex steroids has declined significantly in the past 40 years. Prior to 1992, the estrogenic component of oral contraceptives consisted of either ethinyl estradiol or mestranol. Today, ethinyl estradiol is used in all preparations containing 35 mcg or less of estrogen in the United States. The progestin component consists of norethindrone, levonorgestrel, norgestrel, norethindrone acetate, ethynodiol diacetate, norgestimate, and desogestrel. The most recent addition to the progestin group is the addition of drospirenone, found in Yasmin birth control pills.

The other major development is the reduction in the dosage of ethinyl estradiol to 20 mcg.^[9]The major impetus for this change is to improve the safety and reduce adverse effects. However, few data exist to indicate whether reduction of the estrogen dose is associated with a decreased risk of serious sequelae. These lower doses are associated with a decrease in the incidence of estrogen-related adverse effects, such as weight gain, breast tenderness, and nausea.

Another recent development is the release of a combined oral contraceptive pill to raise folate serum levels. Beyaz contains the same progestin and estrogen contents as Yaz (drospirenone 3 mg/ethinyl estradiol 20 mcg) plus 0.451 mg levomefolate calcium (folic acid metabolite).

In the United States today, more than 30 oral contraceptive formulations are available. Monophasic oral contraceptives have a constant dose of both estrogen and progestin in each of the hormonally active pills. Phasic combinations can alter either or both hormonal components. Use should be initiated either on the first day of the menses or the first Sunday after menses has begun. Most of the formulations have 21 hormonally active pills followed by 7 placebo pills. This facilitates consistent daily pill intake.

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Female condom.
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Ortho Tri-Cyclen (Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) oral contraceptives with Ortho Dialpak dispensers. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

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Author

Frances E Casey, MD, MPH Assistant Professor, Director of Family Planning Services, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, VCU Medical Center

Frances E Casey, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Association of Reproductive Health Professionals, National Abortion Federation, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Society of Family Planning

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

A David Barnes, MD, MPH, PhD, FACOG Consulting Staff, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mammoth Hospital (Mammoth Lakes, CA), Pioneer Valley Hospital (Salt Lake City, UT), Warren General Hospital (Warren, PA), and Mountain West Hospital (Tooele, UT)

A David Barnes, MD, MPH, PhD, FACOG is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Forensic Examiners Institute, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Association of Military Surgeons of the US, American Medical Association, Utah Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Richard Scott Lucidi, MD, FACOG Associate Professor of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

Richard Scott Lucidi, MD, FACOG is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Society for Reproductive Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Ellen Wood, DO, FACOG Voluntary Assistant Professor, University of Miami, Leonard M Miller School of Medicine

Ellen Wood, DO, FACOG is a member of the following medical societies: American Society for Reproductive Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

John J Kavanagh, Jr, MD Chief, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Gynecological and Medical Therapeutics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas Medical School at Houston

John J Kavanagh, Jr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, Society of Gynecologic Oncology, American Association for Cancer Research, American Association for the History of Medicine, American College of Physicians, American Federation for Medical Research, American Medical Association, Southern Medical Association, Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Omnia M Samra-Latif, MD Clinical Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Robert Wood Johnson University, Hamilton Hospital

Omnia M Samra-Latif, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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