How do you take the microgynon pill?

[Cloud44]

Early 40s and I’m wondering if I should be switching from the microgynon pill? When I have my yearly pill check I ask the nurses but they don’t seem concerned and say if it suits my body I’m fine to stay on it, but I’ve heard different from friends.
Also they now say it’s fine to run several packs back to back to not have a bleed , again if it seems to suit and I don’t have break through bleeding.
Does anyone else run packs back to back like this? And what would be the benefit of switching to another pill more suitable for over 40s?

I can’t comment on other pills but in terms of usage that way- I’m in my early 30s but due to really horrendous periods I take microgynon back to back for about 5-6 packets and only have a four day break (as instructed by my doctor). I’ve been doing this for about 2 years and not had any issues and I’m regularly checked.

Do you have a bleed during the 4 day break? In the past I’ve done a 7 day break but only started a bleed on day 4 or 5 normally so I’m not sure what would happen if I switched to a 4 day break?

I take two packets back to back and it’s fine. If I take 3 I get issues.

The doctor told me that the only reason they do 7 pill free days (therefore a period) is to make it feel more 'normal' for us. Well, isn't that nice. So, yes, can run multiple packs together. And I used to before I came off it. Always suited me and was on it until my early 40s (my choice to come off for a break for my body after all those years).

So I tend to begin to bleed on the fourth day, and continue to bleed for about a week even though I’d have started retaking the pill. For me this isn’t that different as when I used to have a 7 day break I would again bleed on day 4 of the break but continue to bleed almost until the end of the next pill packet! So for me the only way I’d get an actual break for a period was to back to back them. Otherwise if I took them with monthly breaks I’d end up with about 10 ish days not bleeding and up to 14-20 days of bleeding. The joys.

Yes it is BS. I believe the pope had something to do with it too, only approving of its use if women still bled to be normal/correct.

I used to do this and back to back for months. Then I got an implant which needs changing every 3 years and no need to remember to take anything! And no periods for me since I started having the implant 14 years ago

https://theconversation.com/contraception-the-way-you-take-the-pill-has-more-to-do-with-the-pope-than-your-health-109392

I used to take a break most of the time but that more to do with me being keen to follow the instructions.

I got moved to the progesterone only mini pill when I was 42 - the age/weight ratio tipped the balance for my doctor I think.

Why would you believe your friends over the registered nurse doing your pill check?

If you’re under 50, have a normal BMI, normal blood pressure, don’t smoke, no history of blood clots, breast cancer, no migraine and no unexplained bleeding you can keep taking Microgynon (or any combined pill).

There are a number of ways you can take it too. https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/leaflets/files/60125Ppill.pdf