Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCP)

Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) have been widely used in the United States because of benefits towards both contraceptive use and Non contraceptive use such as regulated menses, decreased dysmenorrhea, and alleviating PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder).

The combined oral contraceptive pills are mixed with two types of female hormones, an estrogen, and a different generation of progestins, creating several types of oral contraceptive options as follows.

1. Norgestimate + ethinyl estradiol is a generic version for Sprintec, Estarylla or Femynor. This is the most prescribed oral contraceptive medication. V.ARIA prescribes generic medications for the cost-effective reason.

Norgestimate is a third-generation progestin which has high progestational activity while showing minimal estrogenic effects and less androgenic effects. The low androgenic effects make this option ideal for those with an underlying acne. In fact, birth control pills that contain norgestimate are the only ones FDA approved to help reduce acne.

The lowest price with a coupon for the most common version of generic medication is around $7.28, about 49% off the average retail price of $14.32.

2. Drospirenone + Ethinyl Estradiol is a generic version for Yaz, Gianvi, Jasmiel, Vestura, Nikki, Lo-Zumandimine, or Loryna.

Yaz is also FDA-approved medication to help treat PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), so this is an ideal option to consider for those who are looking for birth control pills with underlying PMDD, although V.ARIA does not prescribe birth control pills to those who are looking for non-contraceptive use solely.

Please note that Drospirenone has been linked to an increased risk of blood clots in several studies, therefore it is not a recommended option for those with a risk factor for blood clots.

It also has low androgenic activity.  Drospirenone may cause higher potassium levels, so women with kidney, liver, or adrenal disease should not use it.

The lowest price with a coupon for the most common version of generic medication is around $12.46/month, about 83% off the average retail price of $76.86.

Out of these options, Yaz is also available for branded with affordable prices compatible with generic versions. The lowest price with a coupon for branded Yaz is around $51, about 75% off the average retail price of $200 to $237.

3. Desogestrel + ethinyl estradiol combination is a generic version for Desogen, Apri, Emoquette, Mircette, Solia, Enskyce, or Juleber. This is another estrogen and progestin combined pills.

Desogestrel is also a third-generation progestin with high progestational activity, reducing androgenic effects and estrogenic activity. It shows less negative impact on weight gain as well as acne.

Along with drospirenone (described in #2 above), desogestrel also appears to have a higher risk of blood clots.

The lowest price with a coupon for the most common version of generic medication is around $15.20, about 78% off the average retail price of $70.24.

4. Norethindrone + Ethinyl estradiol; Ferrous fumarate is a generic version for Junel FE 1/20, Microgestin FE 1/20, Loestrin FE 1/20, Larin FE 1/20, Hailey FE 1/20, Gildess FE 1/20, Tarina FE 1/20 or Aurovela FE 1/20

If you are looking for low estrogen activity, this is an option to consider.

Out of these options, Loestrin and Microgestin are also available for branded with affordable prices compatible with generic versions.

Norethindrone is a first-generation progestin and has low progestational and minimal estrogenic activity. It is known to be less androgenic than the second generation progestins (levonorgestrel and norgestrel), but more androgenic than newer progestins, like desogestrel.

The lowest price with a coupon for the most common version of generic medication is around $19.03, about 77% off the average retail price of $85.79.

5. If you are looking for a progestin-only pill (POP) with no estrogen component, there is Norethindrone pills, which is generic version of Micronor, Camila, Errin, Deblitane, Jencycla, Norlyda, Heather, Jolivette, Nora-Be or Lyza.

With no estrogen combined, this option has a lower risk of serious side effects compared to the combination pills and is safer to use for those with a history of high blood pressure or with a risk factor for blood clots.

The lowest price with a coupon for the most common version of generic medication is around $13.32, about 86% off the average retail price of $97.38.

6. Levonorgestrel + Ethinyl estradiol is a generic version of Seasonique, Simpesse, Daysee, Amethia, Camrese, Jaimiess or  Ashlyna. These are available for generic medications only due to cost reasons.

It is 84 days of two combined pills followed by 7 days of pills that contain only a low dose of estradiol.  If you would like to avoid having a monthly menstrual period, this is an option because this is an extended-cycle birth control pill, allowing menstrual period to occur every 90 days (about 3 months) instead.

Levonorgestrel is a second -generation progestin and is the most widely prescribed contraceptive progestin worldwide. It has high progestational and androgenic effects. Several low-dose estrogen brands containing this progestin are available. Levonorgestrel birth control has also been FDA approved for emergency contraception (Plan B One-Step and Next Choice).

This option has the lowest risk of blood clots of all combined oral contraceptives, making this the ideal option for those with a risk factor for blood clots.  This option however increases incidence of androgenic side effects such as acne.

The lowest price with a coupon for the most common version of generic medication is around $21.25, about 85% off the average retail price of $143.19.

Lastly, there is a monophasic option with this combination plan such as Levora, Nordette, Altavera, Chateal, Kurvelo, or Marlissa. This option is for 28 days treatment with 0.15mg/30mcg daily dose and the fourth week with inert pill week.