Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCPs) Indication Preferred Contraceptive Options Contraception (general) Any monophasic: Loestrin 24 Fe , Alesse (Aviane) , Ortho-Cyclen , Yaz , Beyaz Patch: Xulane , Twirla Progestin-only (estrogen contraindicated): Camila , Errin , Slynd Menstrual regulation (irregular cycles) Loestrin 24 Fe , Yaz , Ortho-Cyclen , Alesse (Aviane) Patch: Xulane , Twirla Dysmenorrhea (painful periods) Loestrin 24 Fe , Yaz , Ortho-Cyclen Extended-cycle:  Seasonique , Seasonale , Quartette Patch: Xulane , Twirla Menorrhagia (heavy bleeding) Loestrin 24 Fe , Yaz , Slynd (if estrogen contraindicated) Avoid ultra-low estrogen pills (e.g.,  Lo Loestrin Fe ) Acne FDA Approved: Yaz , Beyaz , Ortho Tri-Cyclen , Estrostep Fe Others: Yasmin , Ortho-Cyclen  (may help but not FDA-approved) Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) Yaz , Beyaz (due to drospirenone’s mood benefits) Desire for fewer or no periods Extended-cycle OCPs: Seasonique , Seasonale , Quartette ,  Amethyst Continuous use of monophasic pills Estrogen contraindicated (migraine with aura, VTE, breastfeeding) Traditional:  Camila , Errin (traditional minipills) Novel:  Slynd (better cycle control) Desire for non-daily method Patch: Xulane , Twirla (weekly) PCOS Yaz :  Anti-androgenic progestin → improves acne and hirsutism; regulates cycles Beyaz : Same as Yaz with added folate; helpful if pregnancy prevention is also a goal Ortho Tri-Cyclen : improves acne; cycle regulation; moderate anti-androgenic effect Estrostep Fe : acne; milder anti-androgenic action Brand Name Formulation/ Delivery Estrogen Dose Progestin Type Medical Indications Special Considerations Alesse (Aviane) Monophasic OCP 20 mcg EE Levonorgestrel Cycle control Low-dose, well tolerated Amethyst Continuous OCP 20 mcg EE Levonorgestrel Continuous cycle, no periods Continuous; may suppress periods entirely Beyaz Monophasic OCP + folate 20 mcg EE Drospirenone Acne, PMDD Anti-androgenic for acne and mood; added folate for neural tube protection Camila Progestin-only pill (POP) None Norethindrone 0.35 mg Estrogen contraindicated, breastfeeding, VTE risk Strict timing; breakthrough bleeding risk Errin Progestin-only pill (POP) None Norethindrone 0.35 mg Estrogen contraindicated, breastfeeding, VTE risk Strict timing; breakthrough bleeding risk Estrostep Fe Triphasic OCP 20/30/35 mcg EE Norethindrone Acne, menstrual regulation Gradual estrogen increase; effective for acne Lo Loestrin Fe Monophasic OCP (26+2) 10 mcg EE Norethindrone acetate Light or absent periods desired, minimal estrogen exposure May cause amenorrhea; less effective for heavy bleeding Loestrin 24 Fe Monophasic OCP (24+4) 20 mcg EE Norethindrone acetate Menstrual regulation, menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea Good cycle control; helps reduce heavy bleeding and cramps; preferred for menorrhagia Ortho Tri-Cyclen Triphasic OCP 35 mcg EE Norgestimate Acne Triphasic with acne indication Ortho-Cyclen Monophasic OCP 35 mcg EE Norgestimate Menstrual regulation, moderate acne Higher estrogen; effective for acne but more estrogen side effects Quartette Extended-cycle OCP Step-up EE Levonorgestrel Extended-cycle, fewer periods Reduces breakthrough bleeding Seasonale Extended-cycle OCP 30 mcg EE Levonorgestrel Fewer periods/year, dysmenorrhea Less frequent bleeding Seasonique Extended-cycle OCP 30 mcg EE Levonorgestrel Fewer periods/year, dysmenorrhea Less frequent bleeding Slynd Progestin-only pill (Minipill) None Drospirenone 4 mg Estrogen contraindicated, heavy bleeding Better cycle control; flexible timing vs traditional POPs Twirla (Patch) Transdermal patch 30 mcg EE/day Levonorgestrel Cycle regulation Weekly patch; avoid in high BMI; Lower estrogen vs. Xulane; limited data in adolescents Xulane (Patch) Transdermal patch 35 mcg EE/day Norelgestromin Cycle regulation, dysmenorrhea Weekly patch; higher estrogen exposure Yasmin Monophasic OCP 30 mcg EE Drospirenone Menstrual control Higher estrogen than Yaz; acne control Yaz Monophasic OCP 20 mcg EE Drospirenone Acne, PMDD, hirsutism Anti-androgenic for acne and mood