[liz-e]

On my period week, am I protected against pregnancy even if I don't take the inactive/sugar pills? I'd just like to know. When I'm on the active pills, I don't miss a day at any time and only miss a pill by 30 minutes or so, if that. Usually I remember right on time.

Thanks!

[LanaBear]

Yes, you are because the pill is built up in your system over the 3 weeks that you took them.

I never took my inactives when I was on the pill, just started up with the actives the following week when I was supposed to.

[ItsASecret]

You are protected during the entire time you take the pill, placebos as well. Technically if you are not going to take the sugar pills at all then you should start the active pills of your next pack so that you are always taking a pill for that overall routine. For some people even 7 days without taking a pill will throw them for a loop and forget to start up the active pills again which will then mess their entire cycle up.

[kira]

If they are truly inactive pills there is no reason to take them. It's generally pretty easy to just remember to start your pills at whatever the beginning of the next week is for you. There are a few brands out now though that the different colored pills still contain some hormones just at a much lower dose. Generally these are extended cycle brands like seasonique and seasonale but check the label on yours to make sure they really don't have anything in them.