Top-Rated Contraceptive Pill Brands You Can Trust

Choosing the right contraceptive pill can be a daunting task given the wide range of brands and formulations available on the market today. Each brand offers unique benefits and might vary in terms of hormone composition, effectiveness, and side effects. Some of the top-recognized brands renowned for their reliability and quality include Yasmin, Alesse, and Ortho Tri-Cyclen, known for their diverse efficacy and hormonal balance. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a detailed list of the best contraceptive pill brands below, weighing their benefits and considerations.

Illustration of contraceptive pill

Best brands of contraceptive pill in 2025

Yasmin

Yasmin, a brand by Bayer, is a highly effective contraceptive pill, boasting a real-life effectiveness of around 92% when used correctly, though it can exceed 99% effectiveness in clinical trials under close observation. As of 2008, Yasmin captured 11% of the birth control pill market, known for its unique progestin, drospirenone, also found in its generic equivalent, Ocella. Despite its effectiveness, Yasmin has been linked to increased risks of blood clots and other serious side effects. Additionally, the pill is marketed for lifestyle benefits, such as treating acne and alleviating premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) symptoms. Bayer's aggressive marketing campaigns for Yasmin have often drawn regulatory scrutiny. For more detailed information, you can view the FDA label for Yasmin.

Ortho Tri-Cyclen

Ortho Tri-Cyclen is a highly effective oral contraceptive, boasting a typical user efficacy with a pregnancy rate of approximately 1 pregnancy per 100 women-years. This efficacy was demonstrated in clinical trials, involving 4,756 subjects who completed 45,244 cycles and reported only 42 pregnancies. The brand, produced by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, is well-regarded for its generic equivalents such as Lupin's Tri-Lo-Marzia™ Tablets, which received FDA approval and were launched in 2016. Ortho Tri-Cyclen is indicated not only for contraception but also for treating moderate acne vulgaris in females aged 15 and older. The product's active ingredients, norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol, have shown statistically significant decreases in inflammatory and total lesion counts during clinical trials. With a significant market presence, Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo Tablets boasted US sales of USD 488.4 million as of September 2015. For more detailed information, visit their official page.

Alesse

Alesse is a highly effective contraceptive pill, containing 100 micrograms of levonorgestrel and 20 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol, with a pregnancy rate of 0.84 per 100 woman-years, as demonstrated in a clinical trial involving 1,477 subjects and 7,720 cycles of use. It boasts a 99 percent effectiveness rate when taken as directed, making it one of the most reliable forms of birth control available. The pill functions by inhibiting egg release and altering cervical mucus to slow sperm movement. It is indicated for the prevention of pregnancy in women who opt for oral contraceptives, with common side effects including headache and metrorrhagia. Alesse has demonstrated a safety profile consistent with other levonorgestrel-containing products. For further details, refer to the official FDA label.

Microgynon

Microgynon, a renowned brand from Bayer AG, is highly effective in preventing pregnancy, boasting a less than 1% failure rate when used perfectly without missing any pills. In real-life usage, however, the effectiveness can drop to around 92-95% due to factors like missed pills or interference from other medications. If taken correctly from days 1-5 of the menstrual cycle, Microgynon provides immediate protection against pregnancy. The pill is also recognized for its minimal impact on weight, with any weight gain typically being temporary and related to water retention. Despite its high efficacy in preventing pregnancy, it does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections. For more information, visit the Microgynon information page.

Diane-35

Diane-35, a contraceptive pill produced by Bayer Inc., is renowned for its effectiveness in treating polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and acne. It contains 35 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol and 2 mg of cyproterone acetate, and has been shown to significantly reduce hormonal disturbances, with a highly significant decrease in LH/FSH ratio and testosterone levels after just the 3rd cycle of treatment. Clinical studies have demonstrated a treatment success rate of almost 90% after 12 treatment cycles for acne and seborrhea, with acne in remission in 82% of patients after three cycles. Approved in Canada in 1998, Diane-35 has been widely used for its dual benefits as a contraceptive and acne treatment, although its approval process has been subject to regulatory scrutiny. The product has been marketed in various countries since its introduction in Europe in 1985.

Seasonique

Seasonique is a highly effective extended-cycle oral contraceptive, consisting of 84 light blue-green tablets containing 0.15 mg of levonorgestrel and 0.03 mg of ethinyl estradiol, followed by 7 yellow tablets containing 0.01 mg of ethinyl estradiol. In the pivotal study PSE-301, Seasonique demonstrated a low pregnancy incidence rate of 0.76 with a 95% CI of 0.16 - 2.22, and post-marketing data from 2006 to 2013 showed a pregnancy reporting rate of 0.0026% over 385,901 women-years of exposure. The product has been shown to maintain high treatment compliance, with compliance rates of >= 97% in the pivotal study and >= 98% in the supportive study. Seasonique is designed to provide more consistent hormonal levels and reduce the frequency of menstrual periods, making it a preferred choice for many women. The product has undergone extensive clinical trials and has been supported by post-marketing data, ensuring its efficacy and safety. For more details, visit the Seasonique page on RxList.

Lutera

Lutera is a highly effective brand of combined oral contraceptive pills, containing 0.1mg of levonorgestrel and 0.02mg of ethinyl estradiol. It is indicated for the prevention of pregnancy and has a low pregnancy rate of 0.84 per 100 woman-years, even when including patients who did not take the drug correctly. The dosage involves taking one white tablet daily for 21 consecutive days, followed by one peach inert tablet daily for 7 consecutive days. Correct and consistent use of Lutera can result in lower failure rates, with the efficacy dependent on the reliability of use. Lutera is available in the U.S. and is known for its low estrogen and progestogen content.

Loestrin

Lo Loestrin Fe, a product of the Lo Loestrin brand, stands out as one of the best producers of contraceptive pills due to its ultra-low-dose formulation, containing just 10 micrograms of daily estrogen, which is the lowest among all available oral contraceptives. This regimen results in 38% less estrogen per month compared to a 20-mcg, 21/7 OC regimen. With over 4 million women using Lo Loestrin Fe, it is the #1-prescribed branded birth control pill by OB/GYNs. The efficacy of Lo Loestrin Fe has been demonstrated in a 1-year study involving 1270 women, showing a Pearl Index of 2.92. This low-dose pill is particularly beneficial for long-term use, as women may take it for many years during their reproductive lives. For more details, you can visit the Lo Loestrin Fe official website.

Tri-Sprintec

Tri-Sprintec, a combination oral contraceptive, is highly effective in preventing pregnancy, with a use-efficacy rate of 0.68 to 1.47 per 100 women-years, and it is also indicated for the treatment of moderate acne vulgaris in females at least 15 years of age. The medication contains norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol, and its triphasic formulation ensures optimal hormone levels. In clinical trials, Tri-Sprintec demonstrated an overall use-efficacy rate of 1.21 per 100 women-years, with 42 pregnancies reported out of 4,756 subjects completing 45,244 cycles. It is available in a 28-day blister pack and is as effective as other birth control pills, with a 99.7% effectiveness rate when used perfectly and 93% in typical use. Tri-Sprintec is a reliable choice for women seeking contraception and acne treatment. More information about the product can be found on Tri-Sprintec official page.

Jolessa

Jolessa, a combined oral contraceptive (COC), is a highly effective method for preventing pregnancy, boasting a typical user efficacy pregnancy rate of 1.98 per 100 women-years of use. It consists of 84 active tablets containing 0.15 mg of levonorgestrel and 0.03 mg of ethinyl estradiol, followed by 7 inert tablets. This extended-cycle regimen provides women with more hormonal exposure than conventional monthly COCs, but without an increased risk of thrombotic and thromboembolic diseases as per current studies. Jolessa also offers additional benefits such as reducing acne, lighter menstrual bleeds, and fewer mood swings. Having been approved for use since 1982, it remains available with a prescription. For more detailed information, visit the Jolessa drug information page.