The white pills in some combination birth control packets are placebo pills, also called sugar, inactive, or reminder pills. They are meant to help you remember to take a pill every day, even during your period, and do not contain hormones. Placebo pills are usually found at the end of a standard combination birth control pill pack and may be white or pink. Depending on the type and brand, the number of placebo pills in a pack may be between 4 and 7. Regardless of color, placebo pills are always significantly fewer than active pills. When you take active pills, your body receives a daily dose of hormones, which are variations of estrogen and progestin. When you take the non-active placebo pills, you take no hormones. This break from estrogen and progestin may cause withdrawal bleeding while taking these pills. Placebo pills are not necessary for the effectiveness of birth control pills, but they help you follow a daily routine of taking the pill. If you decide to skip the placebo pills, you must remember to restart the next pill pack on time, or you will be at risk of pregnancy.