Alesse vs Other Birth Control Pills: Detailed Comparison and How to Choose

Choosing the right oral contraceptive can feel like navigating a maze of hormone blends, side‑effect profiles, and price tags. Alesse comparison helps you cut through the noise by laying out what makes Alesse unique and how it stacks up against the most common alternatives on the Australian market.

Quick Take

• Alesse combines 35µg ethinyl estradiol with 0.15mg levonorgestrel - a low‑dose combo aimed at reducing breakthrough bleeding.
• Typical‑use failure rate: 7pregnancies per 100 women per year (same as most combined pills).
• Best for users who want a 28‑day cycle and prefer a pill that’s gentle on mood swings.
• Alternatives like Yaz and Seasonale offer different progestin doses or extended‑cycle regimens.
• Cost ranges from AU$20‑30 for a month’s supply; IUDs like Mirena have higher upfront costs but lower long‑term expenses.

What Is Alesse?

When you hear the name Alesse is a combined oral contraceptive that pairs Ethinyl estradiol a synthetic estrogen used in virtually every combined pill with Levonorgestrel a second‑generation progestin known for a relatively low androgenic profile. The pill follows a classic 21‑active‑plus‑7‑placebo schedule, giving you a predictable monthly bleed.

Key attributes of Alesse:

• Ethinyl estradiol dose: 35µg
• Levonorgestrel dose: 0.15mg
• Cycle: 28days (21 active, 7 placebo)
• Typical use effectiveness: 91% (7pregnancies per 100 women)
• Non‑contraceptive benefits: lighter periods, reduced acne for many users

How We Compare Birth‑Control Options

To keep the comparison honest, we evaluate each product on six criteria that matter most to people taking a daily pill:

1. Hormone composition - estrogen amount and type of progestin.
2. Cycle regimen - 21/7, extended‑cycle, or continuous.
3. Effectiveness - typical‑use pregnancy rates.
4. Side‑effect profile - mood impact, weight changes, breakthrough bleeding.
5. Non‑contraceptive benefits - acne control, cycle regularity, menstrual‑related pain relief.
6. Cost & accessibility in Australia - retail price, PBS listing, and insurance coverage.

Side‑by‑Side Comparison Table

Deep Dive: How Each Alternative Differs From Alesse

Yaz

Yaz swaps levonorgestrel for drospirenone, a progestin that also acts as a mild anti‑aldosterone. That means fewer water‑retention symptoms and a lower risk of acne for many users. However, drospirenone can raise potassium levels, so doctors usually ask about heart or kidney issues before prescribing.

If you’ve struggled with bloating on Alesse, Yaz might feel lighter. The trade‑off is a slightly higher price and a stricter contraindication profile.

Seasonale

Seasonale stretches the active phase to 84 days, so you only get three periods a year. It uses the same hormone doses as Alesse, so side‑effects are familiar. The big win is convenience: fewer packs to remember and a more predictable schedule for travel or sports.

New users often notice breakthrough spotting during the first 2‑3 months as the body adapts to the longer hormone exposure. If you love having fewer periods, Seasonale is a solid upgrade.

NuvaRing

NuvaRing is a flexible vaginal ring that releases a low, steady dose of ethinyl estradiol (≈15µg) and etonogestrel. Because hormone levels stay more constant, many women report fewer mood swings than with daily pills.

Insertion can be tricky the first time, and some report vaginal discharge or irritation. If you hate swallowing pills, NuvaRing is a discreet, once‑every‑three‑weeks option.

Mirena (Levonorgestrel IUD)

Mirena drops the estrogen entirely and delivers levonorgestrel directly into the uterus. Effectiveness skyrockets to 99.8% because user error is almost eliminated.

The upfront cost is higher, but over five years the per‑month cost drops below most pills. Menstrual bleeding often becomes lighter or stops after the first year, which many women love.

Insertion requires a quick clinic visit and can be uncomfortable for some; there’s also a small risk of perforation (about 1 in 1,000 insertions).

Ortho Tri‑Cyclen

Tri‑Cyclen uses norgestimate, a progestin known for being gentle on the skin. Clinical trials show a modest improvement in acne for up to 70% of users. Hormone doses match Alesse, so the bleeding pattern is similar.

If you’re battling persistent acne, Tri‑Cyclen may give you the dual benefit of contraception and clearer skin.

Depo‑Provera

Depo‑Provera is a quarterly injection of a progestin‑only formulation. Skipping the daily pill routine can be liberating, but the hormone level stays high for three months, which can cause mood shifts for some.

One downside is a delayed return to fertility - it can take 10‑12 months after the last injection for periods to resume. If you’re okay with that and want a “set‑and‑forget” method, it’s worth a look.

Who Should Stick With Alesse?

Alesse remains a solid first‑line choice for many women because it balances low estrogen with a well‑tolerated progestin. It’s especially good if you:

• Prefer a predictable 28‑day bleed.
• Have a history of mild estrogen‑related side effects (headaches, breast tenderness).
• Want a pill that’s covered by the PBS for eligible patients, keeping out‑of‑pocket costs low.
• Don’t need extra acne control or a reduced number of periods per year.

Decision‑Making Checklist

• Do you want a weekly bleed? - Choose Alesse or Ortho Tri‑Cyclen.
• Is bloating a big issue? - Consider Yaz or a low‑dose ring.
• Do you want fewer periods? - Seasonale or Mirena.
• Do you struggle with daily adherence? - NuvaRing, Mirena, or Depo‑Provera.
• Is cost your top concern? - Alesse (PBS) or generic levonorgestrel‑only pills.

Safety Tips and Common Pitfalls

Regardless of the brand, these safety points apply:

1. Take the pill at the same time each day. A 3‑hour window can keep efficacy high.
2. Watch for warning signs: severe leg pain, sudden shortness of breath, or vision changes - they could signal a rare clot.
3. Check drug interactions. Some antibiotics, antifungals, and seizure meds can lower pill effectiveness.
4. Ask your GP about smoking. If you’re over 35 and a smoker, combined pills (including Alesse) carry higher cardiovascular risk.
5. Plan ahead for travel or long shifts. Carry a backup pack or consider a longer‑acting method before a big trip.

Cost Overview in Australia (2025)

Prices vary by pharmacy and whether the product is listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Below is a quick snapshot:

• Alesse: AU$25/month (PBS subsidized for most patients).
• Yaz: AU$30‑35/month (generics may lower cost).
• Seasonal e‑pills: AU$30‑40/month.
• NuvaRing: AU$45‑55 per 3‑week pack.
• Mirena IUD: AU$250 insertion + AU$30 for follow‑up.
• Depo‑Provera: AU$45‑55 per injection (quarterly).

When you factor in the hassle of a quarterly doctor visit for Mirena or Depo‑Provera, the per‑month cost can actually be lower than daily pills over a few years.

Next Steps

1. List your top three priorities (cycle regularity, acne control, cost, convenience).
2. Match those priorities to the checklist above.
3. Book a quick telehealth consult with your GP or pharmacist - they can confirm eligibility for PBS coverage and rule out contraindications.
4. If you switch, start the new method on the first day of your period (or follow the lead‑in schedule the doctor recommends).
5. Keep a symptom diary for the first two months; this helps you and your clinician tweak the choice if needed.