Decoding the Different Types of Birth Control Pills
In many combination birth control pill packs, the color of the tablets changes throughout the cycle. This color-coding is not just for aesthetics; it helps users differentiate between active pills containing hormones and inactive (or placebo) pills. While different brands use various color schemes, certain specific brands are known for including brown pills as part of their inactive week.
The Purpose of Placebo Pills
Inactive pills do not provide contraceptive protection themselves. The consistent delivery of hormones from the active pills during the rest of the cycle is what prevents pregnancy. The placebo pills exist primarily for two reasons:
- To maintain a daily routine: Taking a pill every day, even when it's inactive, helps reinforce the daily habit. This reduces the chance of forgetting to restart the active pills in the next pack on time.
- To schedule withdrawal bleeding: The week of inactive pills marks a hormone-free interval. The drop in hormone levels during this time causes withdrawal bleeding, which mimics a menstrual period.
The Specifics of Brown Pills
While a standard placebo might be a simple sugar pill, the brown pills found in certain brands of birth control are often more specific. For example, in the brand Lo Loestrin Fe, the two brown pills are non-hormonal placebos that contain ferrous fumarate, a type of iron.
The inclusion of iron is intended to potentially help replace the iron lost during the monthly withdrawal bleed, helping prevent iron deficiency anemia. This makes them an example of an "impure placebo," which contains a pharmacologically active substance, even though it doesn't contribute to the contraceptive effect.
Active vs. Inactive Pills: A Comparison Table
To clarify the differences, here is a comparison of active pills versus the brown inactive pills found in some birth control packs.
| Feature | Active Hormonal Pills | Brown Inactive (Placebo) Pills |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Suppress ovulation and prevent pregnancy | Reinforce the daily routine of taking a pill |
| Hormone Content | Contain active hormones (e.g., estrogen and/or progestin) | Do not contain any active hormones |
| Contraceptive Protection | Provides contraceptive protection | Offers no contraceptive protection |
| Color | Varies by brand (e.g., blue, white, or other colors) | Brown in specific brands (e.g., Lo Loestrin Fe) |
| Supplemental Ingredients | No supplemental ingredients (contains only hormones) | Often contains iron (ferrous fumarate) in specific brands |
| Associated Bleeding | Prevents or minimizes breakthrough bleeding | Associated with withdrawal bleeding during the pill-free interval |
What if You Skip the Brown Pills?
For users who wish to skip their period, or simply find the inactive pills unnecessary, it is generally safe to do so. The contraceptive protection from the active pills remains effective, assuming they were taken correctly. If you skip the inactive pills, you can start a new pack of active pills immediately after finishing the previous one.
However, there are a few important considerations:
- Remembering to start on time: Skipping the placebo week means you must remember to start your next pack of active pills on day 29, or one day after the last active pill was taken. Using an alarm or reminder app can be helpful.
- Breakthrough bleeding: You might experience breakthrough bleeding or spotting, especially when first switching to a continuous regimen.
- Specific pill types: This advice applies to combination pills. Progestin-only pills, or "mini-pills," have no inactive week and must be taken continuously at the same time each day for maximum effectiveness.
Potential Side Effects and Excipients
Even in inactive pills, certain components can cause side effects. As mentioned, the brown pills in Lo Loestrin Fe contain iron, which can cause gastrointestinal issues in some users. Other brands might use different ingredients, known as excipients, to form their placebo pills. Some individuals may have sensitivities to these inactive ingredients, which could explain why some people have different experiences with different generic brands, even if the active hormones are the same.
Conclusion
In summary, for specific birth control brands, the brown pills are indeed placebo pills, albeit with a helpful supplement like iron rather than just inert sugar. Their primary function is to help maintain a consistent daily pill-taking schedule and to allow for predictable withdrawal bleeding. While the brown pills themselves offer no contraceptive protection, taking them as directed ensures you stay on track with your active pills, maintaining high contraceptive effectiveness. If you ever have questions about your specific birth control formulation, always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist, as pill contents can vary widely across brands. For more information on different birth control methods, consult trusted resources like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Key Takeaways
- Not All Brown Pills are Identical: In specific combination birth control brands like Lo Loestrin Fe, the brown pills are inactive, non-hormonal placebos.
- Purpose is Habit and Cycle Regulation: Inactive pills serve to maintain a daily pill-taking routine and cause withdrawal bleeding.
- Brown Pills May Contain Iron: The brown pills in some brands contain ferrous fumarate (iron), which can be a beneficial supplement.
- Skipping is an Option: It is generally safe to skip the inactive pills to avoid a period, but you must start the new active pack on time.
- Pill Colors are a Guide: Different colors within a pack help distinguish between active pills with hormones and inactive placebo pills.
- Always Check Your Specific Pill: Contents and instructions can vary by brand, so always refer to the package insert or consult a pharmacist.
