Comparison 1. EE 20 µg and desogestrel 150 µg versus EE 30 µg and desogestrel 150 µg.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Pregnancy per woman	1	982	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.69 [0.12, 3.97]
2 Discontinuation ‐ overall	1	1000	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.20 [0.92, 1.56]
3 Discontinuation ‐ mood changes	1	1000	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.51 [0.68, 3.33]
4 Discontinuation ‐ irregular bleeding	1	1000	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	2.59 [1.35, 5.00]
5 Discontinuation ‐ nausea	1	58	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.75 [0.04, 12.64]
6 Amenorrhea ‐ cycle 3	1	778	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.49 [0.75, 2.97]
7 Amenorrhea ‐ cycle 6	1	721	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.43 [0.65, 3.12]
8 Irregular bleeding ‐ cycle 3	1	778	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.56 [1.10, 2.20]
9 Duration of irregular bleeding in days ‐ cycle 3	1	778	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.70 [0.30, 1.10]
10 Duration of irregular bleeding in days ‐ cycle 6	1	721	Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI)	‐0.10 [‐0.46, 0.26]
11 Dizziness	1	982	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	7.65 [1.54, 38.08]
12 Dysmenorrhea	1	982	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.46 [0.70, 3.06]
13 Headache	1	982	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.71 [0.94, 3.11]
14 Increased weight	1	982	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	2.46 [1.04, 5.84]
15 Irregular bleeding	1	982	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.69 [1.07, 2.69]
16 Mood change	1	982	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.93 [1.05, 3.56]
17 Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting	1	982	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.42 [0.74, 2.72]
18 Prolonged withdrawal bleeding	1	982	Peto Odds Ratio (Peto, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.98 [1.03, 3.78]