Thread: Pill confusion

I have been taking the pill without a 7-day break for the last two months but the other day I discovered a packet which still had 6 pills in it. I am certain I have not missed any pills, what I think must have happened is I put that packet somewhere and thought I'd finished it so started a new one.
It should be my 7 day break this weeks but I'm not sure I should take it, if this is what's happened will I still be protected? Would it be better to just start a new packet. Are there any side effects to continuously taking the pill for 3 months + ?

Thanks for the help

For side effects you need to talk to the doctor who prescribed the pill, or read the leaflet that comes in the packet. Many women take the pill without break for longer than 3 months though, so I don't believe there will be a problem.

Now you have been taking the pill for 42 days with no break (if you have done 2 full packs, or 36 days if you skipped those 6) you can take the 7 day break for a fake period any time.

That is only true if you are not taking a phasic pill. Some brands of pill have different doses of hormones in different pills and you have to take 'pill #1' on day one and so on - this will be very clear on the packaging and in what your doctor told you, so if you don't know what I'm going on about you can ignore this paragraph.

If you are in any doubt at all, contact your doctor but if you are on a 21 day combined pill where all the pills are the same dose you are just fine to take your 7 day break now and start a new packet next time.