The present invention relates to a cornbined oral contraceptive with a reduced risk for side effects, including a reduced risk for QT interval prolongation, a reduced risk for testosterone decrease and a reduced risk for elevated C-reactive protein levels when compared to other contbined oral contraceptives. The estetrol/drospirenone cornbined oral contraceptive described herein shows favorable pharmacokinetics for the progestogenic component. Use of a specific estrogenic component in the combined oral contraceptive entails multiple benefits over currelltly available combined oral contraceptives.