What generation is your birth control pill?

The birth control pills for women have gone through several changes and tweaking since its inception. This ‘change’ or ‘tweaking’ is formally known as ‘generation’. There are 4 generations of contraceptives so far.


Oral contraceptives in India are also available according to these generations. The main difference between them is the type and amount of hormones used.

First Generation: It had higher concentration of hormones. It led to some health concerns that resulted in the introduction of 2nd generation pills.

Second Generation: These have lower amounts of hormones as compared to first generation pills. These comprise of a huge chunk of brands still prescribed till today.

Third Generation: These came a decade after the second generation pills. They use progestin such as desogestrel and cyproterone acetate.

Fourth Generation: These are the most recent kind of oral contraceptive pills and contain the progestin called drospirenone.



Make sure you consult your Gynecologist before you zero-in on any specific type or brand.

Image Courtesy: assets.entrepreneur, reverehealth

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