Things You'll Need:
- Computer
- Internet access
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Step 1
Check the leaflet inside your package of birth control pills. Conversely, check out different brand names online. Inserts are often posted on the manufacturers’ websites, and this is a great way to comparison shop estrogen levels before you head for your doctor’s appointment. Common dosages range from 20 mcg on the low end to 50 mcg on the high end of the prescribed amount.
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Step 2
Contrast the varying dosages of estrogen by the side effects with which they are associated. For example, high estrogen dosages have been linked to the development of acne, while lower estrogen linked with lower progestin dosages are associated with headaches in those susceptible to them.
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Step 3
Evaluate the effectiveness of the pill when it comes to bleeding between menstrual cycles. Termed "breakthrough bleeding," this side effect is most common for pills with 20 to 35 mcg of estrogen.
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Step 4
Compare estrogen in the birth control pills available to you by virtue of the risk for weight gain. By and large it is the high dosage pill—35 to 50 mcg—that cause the most fluid retention and associated weight gain, while the lower concentrations do not appear to have as much of a contributory effect.
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Step 5
Discuss with your doctor the various estrogen levels in connection with the progestin level contained within the pills. For example, 20 mcg pills may contain anywhere from 0.10 to 1 mg of progestin. This combination provides a risk for a variety of different potential side effects. Conversely, most 50 mcg pills contain 1 mg of progestin. The biggest fluctuation--by brand--is found in the 30 and 35 mcg pills which contain progestin ranging from 0.15 to 3 mg.
