Category: pharmacological
Aliases: Combined OCP, COC, Progestin-only pill, POP
Synthetic estrogen (usually ethinyl estradiol) + progestin suppress GnRH → LH/FSH → prevent ovulation. Progestin also thickens cervical mucus + thins endometrium. Progestin-only pills rely primarily on cervical mucus effect. Generation 3-4 progestins (desogestrel, drospirenone) have different androgenic + VTE profiles vs older agents.
PO: 16h