However, low-dose birth control can come with some risks.
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What Does Low-Dose Mean?
Low-dose birth control pills contain lower levels of hormones than other formulations of birth control pills.
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Modern low-dose and ultra-low-dose formulations of combination birth control pills contain up to 20 g of estrogen.
The progestin-only pill (POP), or mini pill, is another low-dose pill.
It only contains progestin rather than both estrogen and progestin.
It may be used to reduce the number of monthly periods.
The minipill may be slightly less effective at preventing pregnancy compared with combination pills.
Low-Dose Birth Control Options
There are a number of low-dose birth control pills on the market.
These include:
Risks of Low-Dose Birth Control Pills
Low-dose birth control pills still carry some risks.
The progestin-only pill may be slightly less effective at preventing pregnancy than the standard combined oral contraceptive pill.
Neither the minipill nor the low-dose combined oral contraceptive pill protects against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Other methods like condoms should be used as well to protect against STDs.
However, side effects can still happen.
Speaking with your healthcare provider will help you determine what pill is best for you.
Your healthcare provider will ask about what is important to you in a birth control pill.
Opill is the first and only birth control pill available without a prescription.
If you start taking the minipill, you will be protected against pregnancy after 48 hours.
you could stop taking oral contraceptives at any time.
Remember, immediately after you stop taking birth control, you are no longer protected against pregnancy.
Standard combination birth control pills contain 3035 micrograms of the hormone estrogen.
Low-dose combination birth control pills have a lower level of hormones, often containing just 20 micrograms of estrogen.
The minipill doesn’t contain estrogen at all.
It only contains progestin.
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