The theoretical efficacy is similar to that of the combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP). However, this pill is taken continuously without any breaks between packets, and traditional<unk> s must be taken to a much stricter time every day (within 3 hours vs. a COCP's 12 hours). However, in some countries, the<unk>  desogestrel (Cerazette) has an approved window of 12 hours. The effectiveness is, therefore, dependent upon compliance. Lacking the estrogen of combined pills, they are not associated with increased risks of deep vein thrombosis or heart disease. With the decreased clotting risk, they are not contraindicated in the setting of sickle-cell disease. The progestin-only pill is recommended over regular birth control pills for women who are breastfeeding because the mini-pill does not affect milk production (estrogen reduces the amount of breast milk). Like combined pills, the minipill decreases the likelihood of pelvic inflammatory disease. It is unclear whether<unk> s provide protection against ovarian cancer to the extent that COCPs do. There are fewer serious complications than with COCPs. Available forms Commercially available<unk> s include the following common or widely used formulations: * Desogestrel 75 µg (e.g., Cerazette) * Drospirenone 4 mg (e.g., Slynd) * Norethisterone 350 µg (e.g., Micronor, Nor-QD, Noriday) And the following rare or mostly discontinued formulations: * Etynodiol diacetate 500 µg (e.g., Femulen) * Levonorgestrel 30 µg (e.g., 28 mini, Microval, Norgeston) * Lynestrenol 500 µg (e.g., Exluton, Mini-kare) * Norethisterone 300 μg (e.g., Mini-Pe) * Norgestrel 75 µg (or levonorgestrel 37.5 µg) (e.g., Minicon, Neogest, Ovrette) As well as the following completely discontinued formulations: * Chlormadinone acetate 0.5 mg * Quingestanol acetate 0.3 mg (e.g., Demovis, Pilomin) In the United States, the only<unk> s that are available are the 350-μg norethisterone and 4-mg drospirenone formulations.
Progestogen-only pill
Extended cycle combined hormonal contraceptive
Progestogen-only injectable contraceptive
Progestogen-only contraception
Estradiol-containing birth control pill
High-dose estrogen
Levonorgestrel-releasing implant
Male contraceptive