Examples of pills with more oestrogenic activity

Most pills contain 30-35 micrograms of ethinylestradiol (this may be higher in phased pills) whereas lower-strength pills contain 20 micrograms of ethinylestradiol. The newer pills Qlaira and Zoely contain bioidentical rather than synthetic oestrogen.

Examples of higher dose oestrogen pills include:

• Brevinor - contains 35 micrograms of ethinyl oestradiol and 500 micrograms norethisterone - considered more oestrogenic than many other pills because it has a higher oestrogen component
• Norimin - as for Brevinor but contains 1mg norethisterone
• Marvelon - considered more oestrogenic because its progestogen component (150 micrograms desogestrel) has less of a counteractive effect on the actions of the oestrogen (30 micrograms ethinyl oestradiol)
• Other higher oestrogen pills include Cilest, Cilique, Lizilla and Dianette

Note - Qlaira contains 1-3 mg estradiol valerate and 2 -3 mg dienogest. Zoely contains 2.5 mg nomegestrol acetate and 1.5 mg estradiol (as hemihydrate).