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Family planning

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Original poster

Using the pill now and then

8 replies

user1465146157 · 19/04/2022 14:42

My GP said it's not a problem to take the pill for a month then come off if I need to, say for a holiday or occasion when I can't be on.

does anyone else do this - take it for a month then hop off it? Is this safe?

Tia x

OP posts:

yikesanotherbooboo · 19/04/2022 14:52

Lots of people do this to avoid a period.

fallfallfall · 19/04/2022 15:06

Safe but don’t expect it to be effective contraception.

Nejnej · 19/04/2022 15:09

If you just want to pause your period for a special event, you can also ask for Norethisterone - it's progesterone only and you just take it daily for the time you don't want a period. You can even get it directly from Lloyds online (I looked into this for my wedding!)

PennyRoyal · 19/04/2022 15:18

@Nejnej

If you're going to do this, "test" it beforehand. Norethisterone does not work for me (in fact, makes me bleed more!) and spoilt a holiday one year.

Original poster

user1465146157 · 19/04/2022 16:10

This is really interesting thank you -
@fallfallfall - when you say it doesn't work as contraception, that's the main reason for it really as well as not wanting to actually have a period.

Hmm might have to rethink things. My GP didn't mention that.

How long do you have to take the pill for so it's an effective contraceptive?

I thought it was protection (obviously nothings 100%) immediately?

OP posts:

Lavenderlid · 19/04/2022 16:12

I believe it is only effective immediately if you take it from the first day of your period. Otherwise an egg might already be on its way. But it was about 20 years ago that I last had the pill so do get up to date advice!

Aniita · 19/04/2022 16:15

It's only protection from the first pill if you take from when you are on your period (real, not withdrawal bkeed) because at that point it is calculated that you are far enough away from ovulation that the pill can prevent it. Otherwise, I think it's a week before you are protected.

But surely, you would just run two packs together if you want to avoid a withdrawal bleed? So not stopping taking it at all?

fallfallfall · 19/04/2022 17:57

For it to be as effective as possible you need to take it daily preferably at the same time with nothing skipped.
What type of pill will also affect how efficient it will be if you juggle around the pack.

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