The combined oral contraceptive pill (“the Pill”) and progestogen-only pill (“mini-pill”) remain the most-used reversible contraception worldwide. The MedsBase Contraceptive Pill catalogue stocks the major COCP and POP brands by progestogen type. (Browse our Alternatieve anticonceptiemiddelen for emergency contraception and brand alternatives.) All products are supplied by WHO-GMP gecertificeerde fabrikanten.
Levonorgestrel-based COCPs. The most-prescribed and best-studied progestogen for COCPs — slightly higher androgenic side-effects (mild acne / oily skin in some users) but the cleanest cardiovascular safety signal and lowest VTE rate in the COCP class. Brands stocked: Loette (ethinylestradiol 20 mcg + levonorgestrel 100 mcg — the lowest-oestrogen modern dose, useful for older or VTE-cautious users), Ovral-L (EE 30 mcg + LNG 150 mcg — the workhorse mid-dose), Ovral G (EE 50 mcg + LNG 250 mcg — older higher-dose for missed-pill catch-up or selected indications), Duoluton L (alternative low-dose), and the triphasic Triquilar (varying-dose 21-day pack mimicking natural cycle).
Drospirenone-based COCPs. Drospirenone is a spironolactone-derived progestogen with anti-mineralocorticoid and anti-androgenic activity — useful for women with PMS, mild bloating, or acne, but carries a slightly higher VTE rate than levonorgestrel COCPs. Stocked as Yaz (24-day active + 4-day placebo regimen for shorter pill-free interval) and Yasmin (standard 21-day). Yaz is also FDA-approved for moderate acne in women requesting contraception.
Desogestrel-based options. Desogestrel is a third-generation progestogen with low androgenic side-effects. Available as combined COCP Femilon (EE 20 mcg + desogestrel 150 mcg).
Cyproterone-acetate-based COCP for moderate-severe acne. Diane 35 combines ethinylestradiol with cyproterone acetate (a progestogen with strong anti-androgen activity) — used for moderate-severe acne and hirsutism in women requesting contraception. Modern guidance (EMA 2013) restricts use to short courses where standard treatments have failed because of higher VTE rate.
Progestogen-only “mini-pill”. Modern desogestrel POPs (75 mcg) maintain ovulation suppression and have a 12-hour missed-pill window. Appropriate for women who cannot take oestrogen — smokers over 35, breastfeeding, migraine with aura, hypertension, VTE history, or BMI > 35. Stocked as Cerazette.
Emergency contraception. Single-dose levonorgestrel (Postpone 72, i-pill) — see our Morning After Pil category.
Hoe te kiezen. First-time user, no risk factors → low-dose levonorgestrel COCP (Loette, Ovral-L). PMS, mild bloating, mild acne → drospirenone COCP (Yaz, Yasmin). Cannot tolerate oestrogen → desogestrel POP (Cerazette). Acne with contraception need → drospirenone (Yaz) first, cyproterone (Diane 35) only if standard treatments fail.
Belangrijk. Take the pill at the same time each day — missed-pill rules differ between COCPs and POPs (read the patient leaflet). VTE risk is small in absolute terms but real — quit smoking before starting COCPs if over 35. Migraine with aura is an absolute contraindication to COCPs because of stroke risk. Modern guidance: most antibiotics do NOT reduce pill efficacy (only rifampicin / rifabutin do); St John’s wort, some anticonvulsants, and many enzyme-inducing drugs do reduce efficacy.
All MedsBase Contraceptive Pill products ship from WHO-GMP gecertificeerde fabrikanten met discrete verpakking en vallen onder onze Reshipment Assurance Policy.