Mini pill - how do you know when to have a break/how long for?

[Redora]

I'm 40 and have been on the desogestrel progestogen-only pill for about 4 years since having youngest DC, with no problems - in fact I like that I don't get periods (perhaps one little bleed a year). When I go for a pill check the nurses always ask if I'm OK on this pill and I say yes.

Last time they asked if I had any bleeding and I said approx once per year and they said that if that happens it might be a sign to take a break.

Anyway the last few days I feel like I'm having slightly crampy pains but I can't tell if this is because I got a sore back doing loads of hoovering a few days ago! No bleeding though.

It prompted me to wonder if you do take a break how long for? (Obviously will use other contraception in the meantime) and can you just start up again afterwards?

I'm pretty fit and healthy, no smoking etc.

I'm not sure you need to at all. I work in this area of medicine and unless I've missed an update I think this bleeding pattern is totally normal with the mini pill.

If its a change in bleeding pattern and the once yearly bleed is a new thing for you then you might want to exclude pregnancy and perhaps check for STIs if there has been a risk. Changes to the cervical cause a change in bleeding patterns so you might want to chat this through with your GP.

I'm on the mini pill and have regular periods so not sure taking a break would make a lot of difference to me🙂