Can I take three packs of the pill without a break?

[helsbels4]

Basically, that's it really. I've already ran two packs together because I had a lot on at the time and didn't want the added inconvenience of a period but I should take my last pill of the pack tonight then I will start my "period" on Tuesday.

The trouble is, I'm now going to hen-night next Saturday and don't really want the inconvenience of being on then either, so can I start my third pack tomorrow without any adverse reaction?

I've occasionally ran two packs together with no problems and have only ever once ran three together and I experienced some spotting which stupidly freaked me out a bit at the time.

I just need some advice/experience of whether this is very safe to do or not.

[TotalChaos]

I don't think it's unsafe, as I was advised to do this with microgynon by fpc doc as I got headaches on my pill free week.

[DarrellRivers]

Yes
Fine

[GiraffeAHolic]

My GP told me that when he was doing medical training most of the nurses took the pill constantly to avoid ever having a period

[DunderMifflin]

Yup - definitely!

[helsbels4]

Oh, that's good that you've both said it's ok

I'ts Microgynon that I take, so that should definitely be ok! Was just a bit worried about what it might be doing to my insides!

[Heated]

In the US it's very common to run them on for 6m at a time, while in the UK to stop for a week and have a breakthrough bleed is usual. No idea why, or what the pros/negs are, just noting the differences.

[helsbels4]

Really GiraffeAHolic [Surely that can't do you any good?shock]

[helsbels4]

That was obviously supposed to be
Too tired tonight

[helsbels4]

Blimey Heated, I never knew people took so many packs together! I thought I was being a rebel running two packs together occasionally. Was actually thinking of changing to the mini-pill to avoid periods altogether but maybe it's not necessary?

[DarrellRivers]

In olden days you would have been pregnant or breastfeeding constantly so probably more natural not to have periods during your fertile years

[mrspnut]

I take cerazette, which is a mini pill but without the need to take it at exactly the same time every day but it is designed to be taken every day with no break so no bleeding.

It certainly works for me and I was miserable on the Depo Provera.

[GiraffeAHolic]

I wouldn't imagine it's particulary good for you especially if you need your cycles back to normal at some point for fertility reasons.

[Sidge]

Yes it's fine.

Technically you could take the pill indefinitely without any breaks at all, as it's not a proper period anyway just a withdrawal bleed from not taking a pill for 7 days.

Apparently when the pill was first introduced the manufacturers only advised a pill free week to make women feel more 'normal' by having a 'period'.

Having said that the more packets you run together the more likely you are to get spotting and breaskthrough bleeding. Three should be fine though.

[helsbels4]

I so don't need my fertility back Giraffe! I'm 39 with two adorable children and I've been there and done that now!

That's interesting Sidge. Making women feel "normal" by giving them a period! I'd rather go without I think!

I feel much more settled about it in my mind now though.

[artydeb]

My doctor advised to run 5 or 6 packs together at a time and said the thing about women 'feeling normal' with a monthly break too. Seems no prob at all.

[helsbels4]

I've just Googled this because if I started my third pack today instead of having a break, it would mean that I would have my period on the weekend of the wedding and I definitely don't want that, so that would mean running four packs together which I have never done.

Some of the advice from the Google search (Was a bit shocked to see my op of this thread included ) was that it doesn't do your insides any good and that you may get bad mood swings and a heavier period when you do have a break.

I am now totally confused!

[tryingtobemarypoppins]

echo everyone. My Dr said you could take it daily for years!

[tryingtobemarypoppins]

ooooo just made me wonder.......would this "store up" your eggs???

[BabyJaguar]

god i never used to haeva break ever
i thnk the break was to make women think they were still having periods tbh

[DarrellRivers]

You don't ovulate on the pill, so having a break through bleed won't change that

[psychomum5]

you could, but I did it, and fell pregnant with DD3 doing it.

that said, I had antibiotics during the first month, and altho took precautions in that month, I thought by the second month I would be safe...........seemed not tho!!

so, by all means try it, but remember that anything that would knock the pill out of whack, will knock all the pills out until you have you break and start again

[helsbels4]

LOL psychomum Not sure I could cope with another bundle of fun but I suppose I run that risk anyway.

I am kind of tempted to give it a go but I really don't want the mood swings that I read about or the breakthrough bleeding and bloating. I suppose I won't know unless I try.

It's interesting that some people have been assured by their G.P's that it's ok to take it continously because one of the sites from the internet search was from a doctor that claimed it increases a woman's risk of developing cancer because of the build up of the lining sitting around and not being got rid of.

I had convinced myself that taking three packs would be ok, it's just the thought of taking four together now that bothers me a bit.

Aaaarrggghhhh, why can't I be more decisive?

[psychomum5]

well, depends really now on which period would be the most iritating.......ie, take two packs back-to-back, break, then another two packs -back-to-back???

[charlotteolivia]

I asked this exact question at my gp's the other week! She said that after 2 packs, the endometrium (sp) can become larger, but less 'consistant'. so the next withdrawel bleed you get will be larger and much more clotty. (on microgynon btw)

[charlotteolivia]

i'm switching to this! here