Low-dose birth control pills deliver hormones to protect against pregnancy. The "low" refers to a lower dose of estrogen; low-dose pills can help regulate periods and may not produce as many side effects as higher doses of hormones found in regular birth control pills.
Ingredients
Low-dose oral contraceptives contain progestin and estrogen like traditional birth control pills. However, estrogen levels are lower; most measure 20 mcg compared to 30 to 50 mcg in a regular pill.
Timing
According to Ortho-McNeill-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, makers of a low-dose birth control pill, low-dose pills must be taken the same time every day for maximum effectiveness.
Advantages
Low-dose birth control can be beneficial to perimenopausal women, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. The hormones may alleviate hot flashes.
Side Effects
Some women who take low-dose birth control do not experience side effects due to the lower estrogen levels. Others may have breast tenderness or nausea.
Warning
A study performed by Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic, showed that some adolescent girls who took a low-dose birth control pill showed a loss of bone mass density. Girls in this age group may prevent bone loss by taking a regular birth control pill rather than a low-dose version.
