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Original poster

Pill Without Break

33 replies

agapanthus1979 · 30/03/2021 15:26

Hi everyone.
I'm sick of having periods. Well, not the periods themselves as I've always been very lucky and they don't give me any trouble. I'm sick and tired of trying to make my menstrual cup work, though. I've got to the point where I can be arsed anymore, and can't be arsed with periods.
I'm 42 and, when I started using the pill all those years ago, the thinking was the 7 day break was necessary. I believe that is no longer the case.
I'm just after experiences, really. If you use the pill continuously, have you ever had any issues, or can I look forward to being period free for the rest of my life? Grin
Thanks.

OP posts:
MedusasBadHairDay · 30/03/2021 15:28

I use cerazette continuously, and no side effects at all. It's so nice not to have periods or any of the other symptoms that accompanied them (eg. Cramps, headache)

EasterIssland · 30/03/2021 15:28

Wouldn’t your body have secondary effects ? I was 14 months without the periods because of pocs and it wasn’t to be honest really comfortable.

Queenoftheashes · 30/03/2021 15:31

I think I’m on Lucette and I take it continually. No side effects. If I do take a break I get headaches.

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Women's health
happymummy12345 · 30/03/2021 15:35

I'm extremely lucky in that I've never had any problems with the pill. I was on Regevidon from when I was 16 until I came off it when I was 21 when my husband and I wanted to ttc. I never had any problems at all.

I had my baby then at the 6 week check I went back on it as I was exclusively formula feeding. I specifically asked for that one because that's what I was on so it seemed to make sense.

I had problems taking it. It made me feel sick and I couldn't take it. So I switched to Microgynon 30, and it was the best thing I've ever done. It was better for me in every way.

As I say I've never had any problems with weight gain or my hormones or anything else. I always make sure I take it at the same time every day. On my first pill my withdrawal bleeds were fine. On my second they were slightly shorter and lighter, it just works better for me. (I know I've been told in the past they are exactly the same. But I can't explain it. It was the doctor who suggested I change so I assumed there must be some differences). Now I take my pills back to back, without my week break. I do this for 6 months. So I take 6 strips in a row without a break. Then I have a break for 1 week, when I have my withdrawal bleed. Then I start again for 6 months. So I only have 2 bleeds a year, or a bleed every 6 months, as the months do not follow the calendar January to December.
It's brilliant and doesn't impact on me at all

I couldn't imagine having proper periods. I'd hate it. When I was off the pill ttc I hated it so much. Again I never suffered with my proper periods before I was on the pill, I had no cramps or anything. It's just the pill makes it much easier still. And I know it’s not recommended and I AM NOT suggesting that anyone else does this or tries this, but it works perfect for me so I’ll stick with it.

ThePricklySheep · 30/03/2021 15:36

My GP recently mentioned she prescribes the pill back to back. I don’t know if she meant always, but certainly often.

happymummy12345 · 30/03/2021 15:37

On the pill the bleed is a withdrawal bleed, not a proper period. The lining doesn't increase each month so therefore there's nothing to get rid of each month. So it's not necessary

muddledmidget · 30/03/2021 15:44

I used to take multiple stris of pills back to back. Occasionally I'd get some spotting or bloating and then I'd take a 5 day break for a withdrawal bleed which would reset me and I'd carry on taking them. If I had a big holiday/event coming up I'd sometimes plan a withdrawal bleed for the week before so I knew I'd have no spotting, and would frequently take my break midpack of my pills if that was convenient for me (only works if your pills are all the same, not if you're on logynon etc)

Sunflowerpower11 · 30/03/2021 15:49

I take the pill continuously too (Rigevidon)

My periods also weren't ever particularly bad but my view is why have them when I'm on the pill anyway and don't have to.

Would defo recommend!

TeenMinusTests · 30/03/2021 16:20

When used the pill I used to take up to 3 packets back to back.
Both my DDs also take packets back to back, but one of them certainly needs a break after 2.5 packets otherwise she gets breakthrough bleeding. Doctor said a 4 day break only is fine.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 30/03/2021 16:25

I take the mini pill continuously - Desogestral. I hadn't had a period in 7 years until this January, bizarrely I had one that lasted a week. Caught me short as I had no sanitary products at home as I haven't had a period in so long! I think stress caused it though. That's the only time I've had a bleed in 7 years.

No other issues at all. I love it and will keep taking it as long as I can, I love not having periods.

poshme · 30/03/2021 16:33

If I take pill packets back to back I bleed anyway, but for lighter & longer (12-14 days) so I don't do it often- only when I want to 'bring forward' my bleed later in the year (for holidays)

AnnaMagnani · 30/03/2021 16:33

I used to take the combined pill back to back - it was fine, no periods. Apparently they only included the withdrawal bleed because men thought we would want them! Er, no.

Now I have the progresterone only pill and again, no periods.

Wish I'd known this from the start, wouldn't have wasted so much time on the evil that is periods.

Boood · 30/03/2021 16:35

I’ve been doing this for years. I’ve noticed two things: eventually, you’ll get spotting, so it’s best to take a planned break every three or four packets rather than have an unplanned one sprung on you. And second, it might be psychological, but I find that the longer you go without a break, the heavier and more painful the eventual “period”. Medics seem to be finally catching up that it’s perfectly safe, though. I used to have to make up dates of my last breed to avoid a telling off, but the last few times they’ve made sure to tell me it’s fine to take it continuously.

Boood · 30/03/2021 16:36

Last breed?! Bleed, obvs.

bananaboats · 30/03/2021 16:36

I'm on a progesterone only pill as well so take it continuesly, wish I had known years ago!

WhatAreWordsWorth · 30/03/2021 16:38

@Boood

I’ve been doing this for years. I’ve noticed two things: eventually, you’ll get spotting, so it’s best to take a planned break every three or four packets rather than have an unplanned one sprung on you. And second, it might be psychological, but I find that the longer you go without a break, the heavier and more painful the eventual “period”. Medics seem to be finally catching up that it’s perfectly safe, though. I used to have to make up dates of my last breed to avoid a telling off, but the last few times they’ve made sure to tell me it’s fine to take it continuously.
Completely agree. My next bleed tends to be worse whenever I’ve run a couple of packs together.

I quite often take 2-3 packs back to back, followed by a break.

comfyslippets · 30/03/2021 16:46

I took cerazette for about three years and it made me a bit moody. I decided to come off it for totally different reasons (not realising it was making me moody at the time) and it was like a fog was lifted. Within days I had my mojo back and was laughing all the time again and looking at things positively again. I felt totally different, like I did before I went on it. It was definitely that.

Original poster
agapanthus1979 · 30/03/2021 16:59

Thanks everyone. Food for thought.
@comfyslippets I don't have any issues with the pill. Took a break for a few years to see if I felt any different on/off but don't.
Very happy to be on it, just weighing up pros and cons of running packs together.

OP posts:
comfyslippets · 30/03/2021 17:02

Ah, sorry @agapanthus1979 thought you wanted to know if anyone had any kind of experiences on them. Must admit, I absolutely loved being on it for the convenience - was sooo nice not having periods.

AtLeastThreeDrinks · 30/03/2021 17:05

The 'period' you have isn't a real period. It was introduced to make the pill seem more 'natural' and as reassurance that you're not pregnant. The NYT ran a good article on it www.nytimes.com/2019/12/11/magazine/birth-control-pill-period.html

I took the mini pill and honestly loved not having a period. Wish I'd known on other pills that you could take them back-to-back.

sanfranfibber · 30/03/2021 17:26

@Boood

I’ve been doing this for years. I’ve noticed two things: eventually, you’ll get spotting, so it’s best to take a planned break every three or four packets rather than have an unplanned one sprung on you. And second, it might be psychological, but I find that the longer you go without a break, the heavier and more painful the eventual “period”. Medics seem to be finally catching up that it’s perfectly safe, though. I used to have to make up dates of my last breed to avoid a telling off, but the last few times they’ve made sure to tell me it’s fine to take it continuously.
Disagree, it's individual.

I took the combined pill back to back for about 7 years and had no spotting, and no bad periods when I stopped.

NotMyPremium · 30/03/2021 19:23

My nurse told me they say you can take 3 packs back to back now. I did take 4 but then started spotting so I did some googling and read about a short break, 4 days, to reset it and that worked. I also read that they only reason for the break is because they thought women would want to mimick a natural cycle by having a period! Erm, no thanks!

For those saying they don't have a break on the mini pill, you don't. They are designed to be taken every day. Its the combined pill where you take it for 21 days then finish your pack.

AngeloMysterioso · 30/03/2021 20:49

I did it for years and it was fine

PurBal · 30/03/2021 21:17

I used to take mine back to back. The break week was created because it gave women peace of mind but unnecessary. The pill stops ovulation. Bleeding during the break week is just your body withdrawing from the hormones.

modgepodge · 30/03/2021 21:59

My doctor told me the reason for the break was that when the pill was invented (1960s) many women took it without their husband knowing/giving permission so the bleed was to fool them!

I take a mini pill back to back, have done for almost 2 years with no issues. Previously took a combined pill and I probably ran 3-4 packs back to back, but only took a break because I’d been told it was dangerous/damaging not to.

I can’t imagine having real periods now. Mine were never awful but I’m so glad not to have them at all now.