Question

How much ethinyl estradiol does the new low dose oral contraceptive pill contain? (in micrograms)

• A. 20
• B. 25
• C. 30
• D. 35

Hint:

Newest low dose OCPs use the smallest effective ethinyl estradiol dose.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

This question checks how much ethinyl estradiol is present in the newest generation of low dose combined oral contraceptive pills.

1. 20 micrograms: This is the dose used in the newest ultra low dose pills, developed to cut down side effects like clotting risk while still blocking ovulation reliably.
2. 25 micrograms: Not the standard dose used in the newest low dose formulations.
3. 30 micrograms: This dose belongs to an earlier generation of low dose pills, used before the 20 microgram pills came into practice.
4. 35 micrograms: This was also an earlier low dose option, higher than the newest formulation.

Oral contraceptive pills have moved from high dose formulations of 50 micrograms or more down to low dose and then ultra low dose pills. The newest ones use just 20 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol.

Let's summarize:

• Pill doses of ethinyl estradiol have fallen over the decades to reduce side effects.
• The newest low dose pills use 20 micrograms, the lowest of the listed options.

So the correct dose for the new low dose pill is 20 micrograms.