“Conceiving” the pill : the 45th birthday of the oral contraceptive pill in Europe

In 1961, the first combined oral contraceptive pill was introduced in Europe. This pill contained ethinylestradiol (0.05mg) and northisterone (4mg). Nowadays, monophasic pill preparations contain a low dose (20­35 g) of ethinylestradiol in combination with a progestogen. Progestogens include norethisterone and levonorgestrel (second generation); desogestrel and gestodene (third generation); and the newest progestogen, drospirenone (fourth generation). Risks of the combined oral contraceptive pill include venous thromboembolism and stroke. Benefits, such as protection from ovarian and endometrial cancer, apart from contraception, outweigh the risks if contraindications are observed, and low dose formulations used.