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Original poster

Not having the seven day pill break

30 replies

ninemillionbicycles · 08/09/2018 15:32

I haven't had my pill break for three months, I hate having periods anyway and don't see why I need to have this "fake" period. I also can't use tampons and hate missing my daily swim. But the surgery have refused me another prescription on the basis it's "early" So I had an appointment with the nurse yesterday to explain I'm not stockpiling, I'm just having very few breaks and she said the doctors don't like you to do that but couldn't seem to tell me why Confused She eventually suggested I have the break every second packet but I'm wondering why I have to have it at all? Is there a medical reason that they don't want to share with me for some reason?

Please enlighten me if somebody knows!

OP posts:
helpmum2003 · 08/09/2018 15:34

It is common practice now to use the pill continuously. Perfectly safe. I'll try and find a link.

helpmum2003 · 08/09/2018 15:39

srh.bmj.com/content/44/3/214

Article from latest issue of BMJ Sexual and Reproductive Health. John Gillebaud is Mr Contraception.

Original poster
ninemillionbicycles · 08/09/2018 15:40

@helpmum2003 if you had a link that would be amazing.

OP posts:

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peachypetite · 08/09/2018 15:41

I pay for mine on lloyds pharmacy.

MyBrexitUnicornDied · 08/09/2018 15:42

Completely normal to not have the 7 day break. It sounds like your nurse could do with an update.

Original poster
ninemillionbicycles · 08/09/2018 15:45

This is cynical but I wonder if the advice given is down to cost? Obviously it's pennies but when you multiply that by the millions of women on the pill?

OP posts:
Fluffyears · 08/09/2018 15:46

I used to not have a break and my gp was fine with it.

Original poster
ninemillionbicycles · 08/09/2018 15:49

It's annoying that they won't give me enough pills to cover the break as well. They're forcing me to have a break I don't need. Someone upthread said they pay Lloyd's pharmacy, I may try that. It will be offset against the cost of Sanpro anyway!

OP posts:
JumpingJetFlash · 08/09/2018 15:52

Would you consider the depovera injection? I haven’t used it for years but a quick injection every few months and I didn’t have a period in the whole time I used it.

HelloMama · 08/09/2018 15:55

It's fine and actually better for you to take regularly without a break. No breaks makes it work more effectively (more pills taken in a row means less chance of ovaries waking up if you miss a pill), but it also has health benefits because the less you bleed as a woman, the more protected you are against cancers of the womb, ovaries and bowel. Read more info here: thecentresexualhealth.org/blog/16
The GP would have to pay far more if you become pregnant so it's in their interest to make sure you have adequate supplies! It's not money saving in the longer term!!

Ontheboardwalk · 08/09/2018 15:57

helpmum good link

Greg and John can feck off with their 'belief that women would find a monthly bleed reassuring.' They obviously didn’t have to suffer like we do.

Years ago I used to take 4 packs at a time and my Dr was fine with it. Have you asked your Dr rather than just going on what the nurse said?

Original poster
ninemillionbicycles · 08/09/2018 15:59

@JumpingJetFlash I had constant spotting with the injection and the implant. Pill works really well for me, no side effects and no periods! Well, only when the surgery won't issue the prescription Angry

OP posts:
PlateOfBiscuits · 08/09/2018 16:01

I take the pill back to back for three months (for endometriosis) and then have a break before resuming.

My gyne consultant told me it’s best to have a period every now and then if you’re taking the pill back to back - She said you need to shed the lining so it doesn’t overly deteriorate. (Hopefully the cells wouldn’t turn into anything sinister?)

I imagine if you took the pill packs back to back forever you might suffer breakthrough bleeding anyway.

pretendingtowork1 · 08/09/2018 16:02

It's fine, it's called extended pill taking. Google that phrase with FSRH and you'll find some guidance.

Original poster
ninemillionbicycles · 08/09/2018 16:03

It's impossible to see a gp about anything contraception related, to get an appointment you have to give the receptionist an overview of the issue, they then decide if it's phone call, clinic or gp. I always get the clinic! Then they always try and put me on the mirena and I tell them after the disaster that was the injection and implant I'd rather stick with the pill. I haven't seen a gp for anything in years as I'm pretty healthy. They do see the dc for things like chest infections etc so I know they're still there Smile

OP posts:
userofthiswebsite · 08/09/2018 16:09

I'm very jealous...

I tried to run pill packs together (my GP suggested it) but have never managed more than 6 weeks before starting to bleed anyway so that 'trick' doesn't work for me.

If you are unfortunate that you have a 'difficult' GP I suggest either taking along the empty blister strips so they can see they're used up or taking out a print out from a reliable medical source backing up the running together of pill packs. Or both.

If my body didn't object, I'd run the strips together without any break at all.

peachypetite · 08/09/2018 16:11

I had to start paying for it because my surgery wouldn't prescribe Yasmin. It's easier anyway, and impossible to get a dr appointment!

MCC85 · 08/09/2018 16:11

I used to buy the extra packs I needed from Superdrug online, and still have my pill check and get a prescription from my GP at the 'right time' (for them!)
I never used to have a break and when I did come off it to ttc, I conceived the first month of trying.
Since my lb, I have been on cerelle or variants of the 12 hr mini pill, you take continuously and I have been lucky and never bled.

stellabird · 08/09/2018 16:13

When I was on the Pill I took them back-to-back for years and never had a period. There is nothing to be gained by having a bleed . I'd highly recommend running them together.

ItWentInMyEye · 08/09/2018 16:14

Is there no sexual health/family planning clinic nearby? I'm sure you used to be able to get contraception from there.

cricketmum84 · 08/09/2018 16:15

I take cerazette (one of the mini pill variants) - you don't ever take a break with them and happy me hasn't had a period for over 2 years. Maybe worth speaking to your GP about a switch to the mini pill if they won't prescribe often enough for you to take your current pill without a break?

FancyADoughnut · 08/09/2018 16:18

I get horrible hormonal headaches during my pill free weeks so my gp told me to take the pills back to back for up to 3 packets and also to reduce the pill free period from 7 days to 5.

The reason they gave for only 3 packets was that after 3 I would likely get break through bleeding if I did any more.

LaPufalina · 08/09/2018 16:25

I ran mine together (Yasmin) and didn't have a period for seven years, from 2008-2015, as I had endometriosis. No side effects that I've experienced and have conceived easily both times since coming off it despite being quite old Smile

TillyVonMilly · 08/09/2018 16:34

When I was on the combined pill my GP suggested I take three packs back to back, as a way to help with my migraines. When I changed to the mini pill I stopped bleeding anyway. Whenever I saw a nurse for a pill check they would always ask if I’d consider the coil, each time I said no. Eventually I asked why they were so keen for me to change and I was told it was more cost effective Confused
I sometimes used to buy them from Lloyd’s too as I couldn’t necessarily get an appointment when I needed one, not expensive and quick service too.

JumpingJetFlash · 08/09/2018 17:02

Ah that’s no use then - how frustrating for you 😕

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