continuous birth control

[imported_msnova]

I decided to take 2 birth control pill packs in a row to avoid having my period this month. I am not using a triphasial type but the type that has the same amount of hormone in each pill.So instead of having my regular period, I started a new pack directly after the old pack was finished (21 days).
My problem is that near the first week of the second pack, I have had breakthrough bleeding or spotting which I know is normal and can take months to regulate one's body to this menstrual avoidance. But I have changed my mind and don't want to wait that long for my body to regulate and don't want spotting in the middle of my regular pill taking time. So, What i want to know is what would be the fastest way to get back on "course".
Should I continue to take the 2 weeks of pills left in the pack and then get my regular period (3 weeks of spotting/bleeding) or if I stop taking the pills immediately, is there a chance my period will come sooner, so that i will be able to go back to regular pill schedule and not have three weeks of bleeding. (I would use another form of birth control if I go off the pill for a short time). My regular period doesn't look so bad now that i have the potential to be spotting for weeks at a time!

Thanks for any advice.

[AFemaleProdigy]

It is extremely unhealthy and unwise for you to take your birth control in any way other then as you were instructed by the doctor. They are not intended for stopping and starting periods at your convenience. You need to speak with your doctor about what you should do at this point. I do NOT recommend that you do that again. If you continue to throw off your cycles in that manner, you can end up with an irregular period for a very long time no matter how you take or don't take your birth control. The question should not be, "how do you make this more convenient for you", but rather "what is the healthy thing to do"?

[imported_thedirtymistress]

Hi msnova. I just wanted to respond by telling you what my GYN told me. I'm on Yasmine and she said that it is perfectly safe for you to skip your last week of pills (the placebos) and go directly to a new pack a few times a year. She recommended that I allow myself at least 4 periods a year and even wrote me a prescription for more refills (18 instead of 12) seeing as how I would be going through them faster.
Now, she did say that I could possible experience some break through bleeding (after the 1st time I did this, I haven't experienced anymore breakthrough since).
Also, this all depends on which pill you are taking. There are some versions that you shouldn't do this with...but your GYN should be able to tell you. Mine is very helpful on this kind of info and she said that it is not dangerous at all on Yasmine....and it has been FABULOUS.

[imported_roxy1958]

hi, i have a question....i have been taking seasonale birth control pills to control my periods......havent had a period in over a year.....iam noticing that iam having break through bleeding.......w/ cramping........should i continure to take the pills while my body is going through this....or stop the pills until it is through........thank you

[imported_thedirtymistress]

First, I'm going to tell you to ask your GYN.
Second, I'll tell you what mine did for me. I had not had a period in a year and then suddenly without warning I started having breakthrough bleeding...and it didn't stop for 2 months. She said that was normal, just keep taking my pills as usual and it should work itself out. Well...it didn't. So the next step was to stop them completely for a month and then start again. THAT worked...but it was a pain in the butt.
So, all this rambling really adds up to is that my doctor said that break through bleeding is normal after you've skipped so many periods...she told me, as I said, to just keep taking the pills...but I would really ask my doctor, or at least call and ask his/her nurse if you don't want to make the visit.

[sara-rose]

Hello there- I have been taking 0rtho-Novum 1 35/28 continuously (just skipping the placebo's)for the past three months on the advice of my doctor.
I was diagnosed with fibroids which had resulted in very uncomfortable, long and painful periods. I have been on these same BC pills for about 10 years, with no issues (I am over age 40). I guess I wonder if I should be looking at changing to something like seasonale or yasmin? She never made that suggestion and I just wonder if I should switch to something lower dose..?
I have enjoyed no spotting or any negative symptons. I will have just the 4 periods per year (not looking fowards to experiencing this first one next month). I was also considering just totally going natural and getting off the pill this summer. Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas?
thanks

[susann331]

Please talk to your doctor. I am sure you will learn what I learned.
When you are on the pill - the periods you have are not real periods.
You have no lining built up and you are just forcing your body to bleed for no reason other than male doctors thought we needed this to feel like a woman. It also comfirms to you that you are not pregnant. The bad side is that every time you force your body to bleed, it has to repair itself and there is a chance it won't repair itself correctly. Taking continuous birth control is not only safe but actually safer than havin 'fake periods'. I have been doing this for 10 years now. My quality of life has never been better. I don't spend a week each month with a migraine . I missed countless scuba trips before since can't swim in ocean. Get imformed and then make a decision. Good luck.

[Little]

You bring up a good point: The "periods" we experience on hormonal BC are actually "withdrawal bleeding." Moreover, our bodies are not evolutionarily equipped to have as many periods as we do; we're "supposed to be" getting knocked up again after every baby and spending much more time pregnant!
It's much easier to skip periods on monophasic pills than triphasic, by the way.