Synthetic Hormones in Contraceptives: A Guide

Last reviewed: March 5, 2024

This table shows the type of synthetic hormones contained in different contraceptive options to aid with decision-making on the best choice for you.

Trading name of contraceptive	Type of synthetic oestrogen	Type of synthetic progesterone
Femme-Tab 20/100 ED Loette Microgynon 20 ED Microlevlen ED	20 µg ethinyloestradiol	100 µg levonorgestrel
Logynon ED Trifeme 28 Triphasil Triquilar ED	ethinyloestradiol 6 x 30 µg 5 x 40 µg 10 x 30 µg	levonorgestrel 6 x 50 µg 5 x 75 µg 10 x 125 µg
Femme-Tab ED 30/150 Levlen ED Microgynon 30 ED Monofeme Nordette	30 µg ethinyloestradiol	150 µg levonorgestrel
Microgynon 50 ED	50 µg ethinyloestradiol	125 µg levonorgestrel 500
Brevinor 21 and 28 Norimin 28	35 µg ethinyloestradiol	500 µg norethisterone
Brevinor-1 21 and 28 Norimin-1 28	35 µg ethinyloestradiol	1000 µg norethisterone
Improvil 28 Synphasic 28	ethinyloestradiol 7 x 35 µg 9 x 35 µg 5 x 35 µg	norethisterone 500 µg 1000 µg 500 µg
Norinyl-1 21 and 28	50 µg mestranol	1000 µg norethisterone
Marvelon 28 Madeline	30 µg ethinyloestradiol	150 µg desogestrel
Femoden ED Minulet ED	30 µg ethinyloestradiol	75 µg gestodene
Brenda-35 ED Carolyn-35 ED Diane-35 ED Estelle-35 ED Juliet-35 ED Laila-35 ED	35 µg ethinyloestradiol	2 mg cyproterone acetate
Isabelle Yasmin Petibelle	30 µg ethinyloestradiol	3 mg drospirenone
YAZ Yaz Flex	20 µg ethinyloestradiol	3 mg drospirenone
Valette	30 µg ethinyloestradiol	2 mg dienogest 120
NuvaRing	15 µg ethinyloestradiol	120 µg etonogestrel
Qlaira	oestradiol valerate 2 x 3 mg 5 x 2 mg 17 x 2 mg 2 x 1 mg	dienogest 5 x 2 mg 17 x 3 mg
Zoely	1.5mg oestrodiol	2.5 mg nomegestrol acetate