This invention relates to a method of inducing contraception comprising administering an estrogen selected from 2.0 to 6.0 mg of 17.beta.-estradiol and 0.015 to 0.020 mg of ethinylestradiol; and a gestagen selected from 0.05 to 0.075 mg of gestodene, 0.075 to 0.125 mg of levonorgestrel, 0.06 to 0.15 mg of desogestrel, 0.06 to 0.15 mg of 3-ketodesogestrel, 0.1 to 0.3 mg of drospirenone, 0.1 to 0.2 mg of cyproterone acetate, 0.2 to 0.3 mg of norgestimate and >0.35 to 0.75 mg of norethisterone for a female of reproductive age, who has not yet reached premenopause, by administration for 23 or 24 days, beginning on day one of the menstrual cycle, followed by 5 or 4 pill-free or sugar pill days, during a total of 28 days in the administration cycle.