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Original poster

Anyone taken the combined pill continuously, without breaks?

19 replies

BatmanLovesTheCircus · 18/08/2019 11:12

Posting here for traffic.

I’ve not been on any hormonal contraception for many years. The combined pill gave me terrible headaches in the “week off”, I despised the injection and the mini pill gave me low moods. As a result, I quit all forms of hormonal contraception and was very happy for several years. My periods and PMT were always manageable and gave me very little grief.

However, I had a baby last year and since my periods have returned, it’s been horrendous. My PMT is awful, just absolutely dreadful. Periods are heavier too.

I would like another child in a few years so I don’t want a “long term” contraception such as the injection, implant or coil. The only issue I had with the combined pill was the headaches in the week off, but I’ve since read that it is absolutely fine to just take the pill continuously and never have a week off.

Has anyone done this? Did you have any side effects from not having breaks?

OP posts:
Likethebattle · 18/08/2019 11:14

I did it on my go’s advice. You don’t actually need to weeks break.

Redandyellow72 · 18/08/2019 11:14

My GP said take 4 days break every 3 months

Likethebattle · 18/08/2019 11:24

If you are concerned the mini pill is taken continuously and you have no periods with it.

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Women's health
YouJustDoYou · 18/08/2019 11:24

Tried to, but my period forces it's way through a week later anyway.

EmiliaAirheart · 18/08/2019 11:26

I do, and it’s perfectly fine. Check with your GP but there shouldn’t be any need to have a fake period on the sugar pill week.

Original poster
BatmanLovesTheCircus · 18/08/2019 11:27

@Likethebattle I tried the mini pill years ago and it made me feel low-level depressed. When I came off it, it was like a fog lifting.

I’ve tried most things over the years, with little success! Being a woman is a bloody pain.

OP posts:
Angelf1sh · 18/08/2019 11:27

I did off and on for years. There’s no medical reason for the 7 days break.

bengalcat · 18/08/2019 11:30

It is absolutely fine to take continuously or as another poster said tricycle it I’ve three packs in a row then a seven day break before starting the next three packets - run it past your GP / prescriber though .

Rosere · 18/08/2019 23:08

I did. For years. Ended up with a "crumbly cervix", had to get some surgical procedure.
Do it surely, but take breaks every few months.

Megan2018 · 18/08/2019 23:12

I took it back to back for 16 years! No issues. My GP said it was only designed to have the break and the bleed to make it more acceptable when it was first launched so it mimicked a natural cycle-there’s no reason to need a bleed.

Tartan333 · 18/08/2019 23:16

My GP has prescribed it for me as I get menstrual migraines so taking it back to back with no breaks, she said there was no medical reason for the breaks but that I might get some breakthrough bleeding. I've only just started it though.

caranx · 19/08/2019 05:36

I have for years. Started off tricycling on GP advice then read that there was no need to have the break so take it continuously. Don't have any issues with breakthrough bleeding or anything. Had heavy painful periods so don't miss them a bit.

Original poster
BatmanLovesTheCircus · 19/08/2019 11:55

I spoke to the GP and apparently I can’t take the combined pill at all as I’m breastfeeding. So I’m taking the mini pill, it’s a different brand to the one I had last time so we’ll see...hopefully it works and if not, I’ll try the combined once I’ve finished BFing.

Thanks everyone Smile

OP posts:
AnnaBegins · 19/08/2019 12:09

There is a new recommendation that the combined pill is fine for breastfeeding after 6 weeks. Advice doesn't seem to have got through to some GPs... do go back and ask again if you're post 6 weeks.

bengalcat · 20/08/2019 15:46

After six weeks you can take the combined pill if breastfeeding if that’s your preference . Talk to your GP again . Maybe there are other factors about you which make the progesterone pill an effective but safer option .

golddustwomen · 20/08/2019 15:49

I do it, have done for years. However since I've had my second child my period pushes through after 2/3 months. It did Sunday 🤦‍♀️

Original poster
BatmanLovesTheCircus · 20/08/2019 16:44

Baby is 9 months old so way past the 6 weeks.

I’ll see how I get on with the mini pill. Its not so much the bleeding with periods that bothers me, I can deal with that. It’s the new, surbocharged pmt. Since having DC I basically have a mental breakdown every month over 2-3 days - hysterical tears multiple times a day, awful temper, and basically a horrendous psycho bitch from hell. This then disappears completely and I’m back to my normal self about a day before my period arrives. I need it to stop as I can’t continue like this every month.

OP posts:
SteadyAreYouReady · 20/08/2019 20:13

Wasn’t there something in the news a few months back that said the week off was actually unnecessary

I have done it a LOT anyway

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