Lo Loestrin Fe vs. Yasmin

See how Lo Loestrin Fe and Yasmin compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Both Lo Loestrin Fe and Yasmin are once-daily combination birth control pills that prevent pregnancy, but they use different estrogen doses and progestin types.

  • Lo Loestrin Fe has the lowest estrogen dose (10 mcg) of any FDA-approved pill, while Yasmin's drospirenone gives it anti-androgenic effects often used off-label for acne and PCOS.

  • Both carry a boxed warning about smoking-related cardiovascular risk, but Yasmin additionally requires potassium monitoring in patients taking certain other medications.

Lo Loestrin Fe vs. Yasmin Drug Summary

Lo Loestrin Fe

Lo Loestrin Fe is a combination oral contraceptive containing norethindrone acetate, ethinyl estradiol, and iron tablets, taken once daily in a 28-day pack. It has the lowest estrogen dose of any FDA-approved birth control pill. It is approved to prevent pregnancy and sometimes used off-label for acne or hormonal symptoms.

Yasmin

Yasmin is a combination oral contraceptive containing drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol, taken once daily in a 28-day pack. It is approved to prevent pregnancy and is also used off-label for acne, PCOS-related irregular cycles, and heavy or painful periods.

Lo Loestrin Fe vs. Yasmin Side Effects

Lo Loestrin Fe

Most common
headache (up to 7%)
nausea/vomiting (up to 7%)
bleeding irregularities (up to 5%)
dysmenorrhea (up to 4%)

Yasmin

Most common
premenstrual syndrome (up to 13.2%)
headache/migraine (up to 10.7%)
nausea/vomiting (up to 4.5%)
mood changes (up to 2.3%)

Lo Loestrin Fe vs. Yasmin Dosage

Lo Loestrin Fe

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 1 mg/10 mcg once daily Days 1-24
Maximum dose 75 mg ferrous fumarate daily Days 27-28
Dose changes 2 increases As tolerated

Yasmin

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 3 mg/0.03 mg once daily Days 1-21
Maximum dose Placebo tablet once daily Days 22-28
Dose changes 1 increase Every 21 days

Lo Loestrin Fe vs. Yasmin Indications

Lo Loestrin Fe

Lo Loestrin Fe is FDA-approved only for preventing pregnancy in women who choose oral contraception. Some clinicians also prescribe it off-label to help manage acne or other hormonal symptoms. It is not approved for protection against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections.

  • Prevention of pregnancy

  • Off-label: acne management

  • Off-label: hormonal symptom control

  • Not approved for STI/HIV protection

Yasmin

Yasmin is FDA-approved for preventing pregnancy in females of reproductive potential. It is also used off-label to treat acne, manage PCOS-related irregular cycles, and reduce heavy or painful periods. It is not approved for use during pregnancy.

  • Prevention of pregnancy

  • Off-label: acne treatment

  • Off-label: PCOS-related irregular cycles

  • Off-label: heavy or painful periods

Lo Loestrin Fe vs. Yasmin Pros and Cons

Lo Loestrin Fe

Lo Loestrin Fe delivers the lowest estrogen dose of any FDA-approved combination pill, which may appeal to those sensitive to estrogen-related side effects. Its dosing schedule is more complex than Yasmin's, and its list price can run considerably higher depending on insurance coverage.

Pros

  • Lowest estrogen dose (10 mcg) of any approved birth control pill

  • Contains iron tablets during the hormone-free interval

  • No potassium-monitoring requirement, unlike drospirenone-based pills

  • Long safety track record since FDA approval in 2010

Cons

  • Higher typical list price, roughly $171 to $1,017 per month before savings programs

  • More complex three-phase dosing schedule (24/2/2 days)

  • Less established off-label evidence for acne or PCOS compared to Yasmin

Yasmin

Yasmin's drospirenone component gives it anti-androgenic effects that make it a common off-label choice for acne and PCOS-related symptoms. It requires potassium monitoring in certain patients and carries contraindications for kidney, liver, or adrenal disease that don't apply to Lo Loestrin Fe.

Pros

  • Anti-androgenic drospirenone often used off-label for acne and PCOS

  • Established off-label evidence for heavy or painful periods

  • Lower typical list price, roughly $50 to $96 per month before savings programs

  • Simpler 21/7-day dosing schedule

Cons

  • Requires potassium monitoring with ACE inhibitors, ARBs, NSAIDs, or potassium-sparing diuretics

  • Contraindicated in women with kidney, liver, or adrenal disease

  • Higher estrogen dose (30 mcg) than Lo Loestrin Fe's 10 mcg

Common Symptoms and Related Diseases You Can Explore

Explore a range of common symptoms the Doctronic Symptom Checker can help you understand.