What are the placebo pills in Lo Loestrin Fe?
In every 28-day pack of Lo Loestrin Fe, the placebo pills are the two brown, round tablets taken on days 27 and 28. Unlike the other pills in the pack, these tablets are inactive and do not contain any hormones. Instead, they are composed of 75 mg of ferrous fumarate, a type of iron supplement. The primary role of these two non-hormonal tablets is to help you maintain your daily routine of taking a pill, ensuring you transition smoothly into your next pack on time.
The composition and purpose of the brown tablets
While the main goal of birth control is pregnancy prevention, the inactive pills in Lo Loestrin Fe have two specific functions:
- Habit Formation: The reminder tablets ensure that you take a pill every single day of your 28-day cycle, minimizing the chance of missing the first active pill of a new pack. This is especially crucial for maintaining the contraceptive's high effectiveness.
- Iron Supplementation: The inclusion of ferrous fumarate is designed to help replenish iron lost during the monthly withdrawal bleed, potentially reducing the risk of anemia. However, it is important to note that the amount of iron is not sufficient to treat an existing iron deficiency.
Comparing Lo Loestrin Fe's placebo phase to other pills
Lo Loestrin Fe's unique 24/2/2 regimen sets it apart from many other combination birth control pills. Its shorter inactive phase is a key feature that can lead to lighter and shorter periods for many users.
| Feature | Lo Loestrin Fe | Typical Combination Pills | Extended-Cycle Pills |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Pills | 26 (24 blue, 2 white) | 21 | 84 |
| Inactive Pills | 2 (brown, iron-only) | 7 (placebo) | 7 (placebo) |
| Placebo Phase Length | 2 days | 7 days | 7 days (every 3 months) |
| Period Experience | Often lighter and shorter | Standard withdrawal bleed | Fewer, lighter periods |
| Purpose of Inactives | Daily reminder & iron supplement | Daily reminder | Daily reminder |
The importance of consistency and what to do if you miss a pill
The consistency of taking a pill every day, including the placebo tablets, is fundamental to the effectiveness of Lo Loestrin Fe. Missing active tablets, especially early or late in the cycle, significantly increases the risk of pregnancy. However, missing the brown placebo tablets does not pose a risk to contraceptive protection. If you miss one or both brown tablets, simply throw them away and start your next pack on your usual start day.
It is possible to skip the placebo pills and immediately start a new pack of active tablets to avoid a period. This is a common practice with combination pills, but you should discuss this with a healthcare provider first to ensure it is appropriate for you.
Active versus inactive tablets
Beyond the two brown placebo pills, the Lo Loestrin Fe pack contains 26 active tablets with hormones. The pack is organized as follows:
- 24 blue tablets: These contain both 1 mg of the progestin norethindrone acetate and 10 mcg of the estrogen ethinyl estradiol. These pills prevent ovulation and change cervical mucus.
- 2 white tablets: These contain only 10 mcg of ethinyl estradiol. This low-estrogen dose helps maintain hormonal levels before the short break, contributing to the shorter withdrawal bleed.
This regimen with a minimal hormone-free interval is designed to reduce the side effects associated with hormonal fluctuations, such as headaches and bloating, while still providing effective contraception.
Conclusion
Understanding what are the placebo pills in Lo Loestrin Fe is key to correctly using this birth control medication. The two brown, hormone-free tablets contain ferrous fumarate for iron supplementation and, more importantly, act as reminders to maintain a daily pill-taking schedule. By following the specific 24/2/2 regimen, users can take advantage of the benefits of a low-dose pill with a shorter break between hormone cycles, which often results in lighter and shorter periods. Always consult your healthcare provider with any questions about your specific birth control plan or before making changes to your regimen, such as skipping the placebo pills to avoid a period.
