I’m taking a multivitamin and calcium, will that interact with the birth control pills?
Medically reviewed by Sophia Yen, MD, MPH – Written by Pandia Health Editorial Team &..
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Lo Loestrin Fe is a combined oral contraceptive pill (OCP) that prevents pregnancy by preventing the release of an egg (ovulation), and thickening the cervical mucus, blocking sperm from getting into the uterus and getting to the egg. Lo Loestrin Fe has 24 pills with: 1mg of norethindrone acetate and only 10 mcg of ethinyl estradiol in each active pill. 2 pills with only estrogen in them. And 2 pills with iron in them (the bleeding/placebo week). Read More
Simply take 1 pill every day, at the same time each day.
Most women find that taking Lo Loestrin Fe before bedtime or with your largest meal of the day helps reduce nausea and other side effects. After taking 26 days of active pills, you’ll switch to two inactive pills. These are inactive pills with no hormones that are there to get you in the habit of taking your pill every day and they also have ferrous fumarate.
Take 1 pill each day.
Lo Loestrin Fe birth control pills have two main ingredients: 1 mg of norethindrone acetate and 0.01 mg of Ethinyl Estradiol in each of the 24 first tablets, plus 2 tablets that only contain 0.01 mg Ethinyl Estradiol and 2 other with no hormones and just 75 mg ferrous fumurate.
The risks are very low, but some women have experienced unwanted side effects when taking Lo Loestrin Fe. Minor ones include breast tenderness, headaches, nausea, and slightly elevated blood pressure or blood sugar levels. Positive side effects: reduced acne, lighter bleeds, and fewer mood swings are fairly common.
The chances of serious side effects are extremely unlikely, but some cases have been documented, such as blood clots in the head (a severe new headache, causing double vision, or stroke), blood clots in the chest causing severe shortness of breath, blood clots in the abdomen (causing abdominal pain), blood clots in the leg causing leg swelling and pain.
These may sound scary, but remember — they’re very rare. The risk is about 3-6 women out of 10,000 per year using the medication might get a blood clot.
WHEN DO YOU GET YOUR PERIOD ON LO LOESTRIN FE?
You should get your period in the fourth week of the pills. After taking the inactive pills of the pack, you should start a new pack whether you are still bleeding or not. If you are concerned because you have not had your period, reach out to your primary care provider to get professional advice asap.
HOW EFFECTIVE IS LO LOESTRIN FE?
Lo Loestrin Fe is as effective as any other birth control pill. Birth control pills are 99.7% effective if perfectly used (in a research study) and 93% effective in “regular use” (when real people use it and mess up every now and then).
WHAT ARE THE WHITE PILLS IN LO LOESTRIN FE?
The two whites pills that come on the fourth week of the pack are active pills that only contain Ethinyl Estradiol (estrogen).
HOW DOES LO LOESTRIN FE WORK?
Lo Loestrin Fe works by preventing the release of an egg (ovulation), and thickening the cervical mucus, and blocking sperm from getting into the uterus and getting to the egg.
HOW MUCH IS LO LOESTRIN FE WITHOUT INSURANCE?
If you don’t have insurance, Lo Loestrin Fe is an expensive birth control pill since it is a brand name. The price is $212 for one pack (28 tablets). Unfortunately, there is no generic brand equivalent to this pill available on the market yet.
WHEN TO START LO LOESTRIN FE?
Technically, you can start taking Lo Loestrin Fe whenever you want. However, Pandia Health expert doctors recommend starting to take the medication on day 3-5 of your period to decrease the likelihood that you experience spotting.
WHAT ARE THE BROWN PILLS IN LO LOESTRIN FE?
The 2 brown pills that come at the end of each pack are two tablets containing no hormones but 75 mg of ferrous fumarate. They are there to help you keep the habit of taking a pill each day and to prevent anemia from the blood loss with monthly bleeds.
HOW TO SKIP PERIOD ON LO LOESTRIN FE?
Simply skip the 4 tablets at the end of the package and start a new pack. Learn more about how to safely skip your period here.
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