When You Can't Find Lo Loestrin Fe, What Are Your Options?

You depend on your birth control. So when your pharmacy tells you Lo Loestrin Fe 28 Day is out of stock — again — it's more than an inconvenience. It can feel like a real disruption to your health and your routine.

The good news is that while Lo Loestrin Fe has a unique ultra-low-dose formulation, there are several other birth control options that work in similar ways. In this guide, we'll explain how Lo Loestrin Fe works and walk you through the best alternatives to discuss with your doctor.

What Is Lo Loestrin Fe?

Lo Loestrin Fe is a combination oral contraceptive made by AbbVie. It comes in a 28-day pack and contains two hormones:

• Norethindrone acetate (1 mg) — a progestin
• Ethinyl estradiol (10 mcg) — an estrogen

The pack also includes 2 tablets with ethinyl estradiol only and 2 brown iron tablets (ferrous fumarate). It's FDA-approved for preventing pregnancy.

What sets Lo Loestrin Fe apart is its estrogen dose. At just 10 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol, it has the lowest estrogen content of any combination birth control pill on the market. Many women choose it specifically because this ultra-low dose tends to cause fewer estrogen-related side effects.

How Does Lo Loestrin Fe Work?

Like all combination oral contraceptives, Lo Loestrin Fe prevents pregnancy through three mechanisms:

1. Prevents ovulation — The hormones stop your ovaries from releasing an egg each month
2. Thickens cervical mucus — This makes it harder for sperm to reach an egg
3. Thins the uterine lining — This makes it less likely that a fertilized egg would implant

When taken correctly, combination birth control pills are over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. With typical use (accounting for missed pills), effectiveness is about 91%.

Alternatives to Lo Loestrin Fe

If you can't find Lo Loestrin Fe, these are the most commonly recommended alternatives. Always talk to your doctor before switching birth control — they can help you choose the option that's best for your health and lifestyle.

1. Blisovi Fe 1/20

Blisovi Fe is one of the closest alternatives to Lo Loestrin Fe. It's a combination pill that contains norethindrone acetate (1 mg) and ethinyl estradiol (20 mcg), plus iron tablets.

• How it compares: Blisovi Fe has the same progestin but a slightly higher estrogen dose (20 mcg vs. 10 mcg). This is still considered a low-dose pill.
• Pros: Available as a generic, significantly cheaper (often $15–$50/month). Widely available at most pharmacies.
• Cons: The slightly higher estrogen dose may cause more estrogen-related side effects in some women, though most tolerate it well.
• Best for: Women who did well on Lo Loestrin Fe and want a similar, more affordable and available option.

2. Junel Fe 1/20

Junel Fe is another norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol combination with the same dosing as Blisovi Fe — 1 mg norethindrone acetate and 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol.

• How it compares: Essentially the same formulation as Blisovi Fe 1/20, made by a different manufacturer.
• Pros: Generic pricing ($15–$45/month), widely stocked, well-established track record.
• Cons: Same slightly higher estrogen dose as Blisovi Fe. Some women notice minor differences between generic manufacturers in terms of inactive ingredients.
• Best for: Women who want a tried-and-true, affordable alternative with the same progestin as Lo Loestrin Fe.

3. Yaz (Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol)

Yaz takes a different approach. It contains drospirenone (3 mg) and ethinyl estradiol (20 mcg) — a different progestin than Lo Loestrin Fe.

• How it compares: Different progestin (drospirenone instead of norethindrone acetate), but still low-dose estrogen. Yaz is also FDA-approved for treating moderate acne and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
• Pros: May help with acne, bloating, and mood symptoms related to your cycle. Available in generic form (as Gianvi or Loryna) at lower cost.
• Cons: Drospirenone has a slightly higher risk of blood clots compared to norethindrone. Not recommended for women with kidney, liver, or adrenal gland problems.
• Best for: Women who want a low-dose pill and also struggle with acne or PMDD symptoms.

4. NuvaRing (Etonogestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol Vaginal Ring)

NuvaRing is a flexible vaginal ring that releases etonogestrel and ethinyl estradiol directly into the body over three weeks.

• How it compares: It's not a pill — you insert the ring, leave it in for 3 weeks, remove it for 1 week, then insert a new one. Different hormones than Lo Loestrin Fe.
• Pros: No daily pill to remember. Steady hormone delivery may cause fewer ups and downs. Available as a generic (EluRyng).
• Cons: Some women find the ring uncomfortable or inconvenient. Requires comfort with vaginal insertion.
• Best for: Women who want reliable contraception but struggle with remembering a daily pill.

How to Switch Birth Control Safely

If you and your doctor decide to switch from Lo Loestrin Fe to an alternative, here are some important tips:

• Don't stop abruptly — Work with your doctor on the timing of your switch to avoid a gap in contraceptive coverage
• Use backup contraception — Your doctor may recommend using condoms for the first 7 days after switching
• Give it time — It can take 2–3 months for your body to adjust to a new birth control. Minor side effects like spotting or mood changes often improve
• Track your symptoms — Keep notes on how you feel so you can report back to your doctor at follow-up

Final Thoughts

Lo Loestrin Fe's ultra-low estrogen dose makes it special, but it's not the only effective birth control option. If you can't find it, alternatives like Blisovi Fe, Junel Fe, Yaz, and NuvaRing offer similar protection with their own advantages.

Start by checking Medfinder to see if Lo Loestrin Fe is available near you. If it's not, your doctor can help you find the right alternative. For more information, read our guides on how to find Lo Loestrin Fe in stock and what you need to know about Lo Loestrin Fe.