Clinical Considerations in Contraceptive Choice and Use of Low-Dose Estrogen Formulation

Panelists discuss how combined hormonal contraceptives come in three main forms (pills, patches, and rings) and provide a comprehensive overview of all available contraceptive methods including long-acting reversible contraceptives, barrier methods, and emergency contraception.

Panelists discuss how younger women (18-24) most commonly use condoms and oral contraceptive pills due to factors like less frequent sex, dual protection needs, and access issues, while emphasizing that individual preferences matter more than age when counseling patients.

Panelists discuss how most combined hormonal contraceptives contain ethinyl estradiol for its long half-life and cycle control benefits, while newer natural estrogens such as estradiol and estetrol offer different tissue selectivity and potentially reduced liver impacts.

Panelists discuss how progestins have evolved from early norethindrone compounds through more potent but androgenic levonorgestrel to newer options such as drospirenone and dienogest, each offering different benefits for cycle control, noncontraceptive effects, and adverse effect profiles.