Lo Seasonique

Lo Seasonique is an extended-cycle combination oral contraceptive pill (COCP) developed by Teva Pharmaceuticals. It contains a low-dose combination of levonorgestrel, a progestin, and ethinyl estradiol, an estrogen. Unlike traditional 28-day regimens, Lo Seasonique utilizes a 91-day cycle consisting of 84 days of active combination tablets (0.1 mg levonorgestrel/0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol) followed by 7 days of low-dose ethinyl estradiol tablets (0.01 mg). This regimen reduces the frequency of withdrawal bleeding to approximately four times per year. The drug prevents pregnancy primarily by suppressing ovulation through the negative feedback inhibition of gonadotropin secretion, which prevents the mid-cycle surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Secondary mechanisms include increasing cervical mucus viscosity to inhibit sperm penetration and altering the endometrium to reduce the likelihood of implantation.

Brand names

Lo Seasonique

Other names

levonorgestrel + ethinyl estradiol