Birth control pills from Nurx cost as little as $0 with insurance or $15 per month without insurance.
Many hormonal birth control pill packs include placebo pills, sometimes called “reminder” pills, to help you keep a consistent daily routine. These inactive pills don’t contain hormones but allow for a scheduled withdrawal bleed, mimicking a natural period.
What are placebo pills in birth control?
Placebo pills are the inactive pills in your birth control pack—usually the last 4–7 pills in a 28-day pack.
They don’t contain hormones, but they help you keep the habit of taking a pill every day. Often, a different color from your active pills (like white or brown), these pills allow your body to have a withdrawal bleed that mimics a natural period.
What do placebo pills contain?
Placebo pills are made with inactive ingredients like lactose, cellulose, or starch, instead of hormones. Some brands also include iron supplements to help replenish iron lost during menstruation. Ingredients vary by brand, but none contain the estrogen or progestin found in active pills.
How do placebo pills mimic a period?
When you switch from active pills to placebo pills, your hormone levels drop. This sudden change triggers your uterine lining to shed, creating a withdrawal bleed or pseudo-period.
While it looks and feels like a period, it’s usually lighter and more predictable because the hormones have been regulating your cycle.
Why is there a break week in birth control?
The seven-day break in hormone pills was originally designed to mimic a natural menstrual cycle and make birth control feel more approachable when it was first introduced.
This break allows for a predictable withdrawal bleed, which reassures many people that they’re not pregnant. It also helped make birth control feel more “natural” to users and medical providers when oral contraceptives were new.
Why does hormone withdrawal cause bleeding?
During your active pill weeks, the hormones in your birth control maintain your uterine lining. When you switch to placebo pills, the sudden drop in estrogen and progestin signals your body to shed that lining.
This creates a withdrawal bleed that looks and feels like a period, though it’s usually lighter and more predictable because the hormones have been regulating your cycle.
How did placebo week originate?
Placebo week was introduced in the 1960s by birth control developers who wanted the pill to resemble natural cycles.
The idea was that both users and healthcare providers would feel more comfortable with a method that maintained monthly bleeding. This choice was influenced by the cultural and social factors of the time, rather than medical necessity.
Is birth control still active during placebo week?
Yes! Your birth control protection continues during the placebo week as long as you’ve taken your active pills correctly.
The hormones from your active pills have already prevented ovulation for the month, so this protection carries through the placebo week. These hormones work to prevent pregnancy throughout your entire pill pack, including during withdrawal bleeding.
How effective are pills during placebo week?
Hormonal birth control pills stay just as effective during the placebo week, when you’ve taken them correctly. The hormones from your previous three weeks of active pills have already suppressed ovulation and thickened your cervical mucus. You’re protected as long as you:
- Took all active pills as directed
- Start your next pack on time
- Haven’t missed any pills in the previous weeks
- Haven’t taken medications that interfere with effectiveness
Can I have unplanned bleeding on birth control?
Yup, breakthrough bleeding can happen at any time during your cycle. This is most common in the first few months on birth control as your body adjusts to the hormones.
Unplanned bleeding may also occur if you’ve missed pills, started a new brand, or been inconsistent with your pill timing.
Is it okay to skip placebo birth control pills?
Yes! It’s generally safe to skip your placebo pills and start your next pack of active pills right away if you want to skip your withdrawal bleed.
This approach, sometimes called continuous or extended cycling, is widely supported by healthcare providers. But as always, it’s important to check in with your provider before changing your routine, especially if you have any health conditions that require special consideration.
Can I start active pills early?
Starting your next pack of active pills early, skipping placebos, is safe and won’t make your birth control less effective. This can help you:
- Skip or delay withdrawal bleeding
- Reduce period-related symptoms
- Avoid bleeding during special events
- Manage conditions like endometriosis
How to keep a pill routine
Even during placebo week, keeping a consistent routine helps you remember to start your next pack. Try these tips:
- Take placebo pills at the same time as your hormonal pills
- Set daily phone alarms or reminders
- Keep your pill pack in a visible spot
- Use a pill-tracking app for extra support
- Consider continuous cycling if you frequently forget to restart
Handling your placebo week on your terms
If you’re wondering how to handle your placebo week or want to explore other birth control options, Nurx is here to help. Our medical providers can prescribe over 50 types of birth control and guide you toward the method that fits your lifestyle and goals.
Whether you want to skip periods, try continuous cycling, or switch to a different contraceptive method, you’ll get support to make sure your birth control works for you. Understanding why there are placebo pills in birth control and what they do can help you make more informed choices, with expert guidance every step of the way.
Our providers can also answer questions about timing, side effects, or alternative methods, ensuring your contraception fits seamlessly into your daily life and gives you confidence in your protection.
The information provided is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not rely upon this content for medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to a medical professional.
Services not offered in every state. Medications prescribed only if clinically appropriate, based on completion of the required consultation. Individual results may vary.
No references to third parties or this party apps herein imply any affiliation, endorsement, connection, or sponsorship by Nurx.