What’s the difference between combined oral contraceptives (COCs) and progestin-only birth control pills (POPs)?

Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) and progestin-only pills (POPs) are the two types of daily birth control pills that people can take to prevent pregnancy. While they have a lot in common, there are a few differences that people might want to be aware of as they decide which birth control method works best for them. Learn more about these similarities and differences in our fact sheet, below!

Emergency contraceptive pills—sometimes referred to as “the morning-after pill”—also prevent pregnancy, but aren’t intended to be used as a daily birth control method. You can learn more about the difference between birth control pills, emergency contraceptive pills, and abortion pills in our fact sheet →