Birth control pills

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-19-2003
Birth control pills
6
Thu, 02-12-2004 - 9:21am
Hi. I am on ortho tri cyclen. I am trying to skip my period by taking one pack right after another. I have read where that won't work because of the fluctuating levels of hormones in the pills. I have already taken 4 of the first weeks pills...the lowest amount of hormones. Do you think I could go on and take some of the third weeks pills to have the higher dosage? Any input would be great
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Thu, 02-12-2004 - 10:18am
You might be one of the women who can get away with taking OTC like that and still skip their periods, or you might not. I would think the lower dose first week pills could still trigger a bleed in the next few days. To try and prevent that I would begin the 3rd weeks pills in your pack. If you want to delay your period with less likelihood of withdrawal bleeding you could switch to Ortho Cyclen which has 21 days of the same strength hormones as the 3rd week of OTC.

Good luck

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-19-2003
Thu, 02-12-2004 - 10:58am
Do you think it would work if I took the third weeks pills? I would be going straight from the first week to the third.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Thu, 02-12-2004 - 11:20am
I think it should work if the lower progestin in the 1st week pills hasn't already triggered withdrawal bleeding that just hasn't shown up yet. The 3rd weeks pills have the highest amount of progestin and that provides the most support for your endometrium. Let us know how you your doing, ok?

Good luck

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-30-2003
Thu, 02-12-2004 - 2:15pm
I used to take OTC and I never had a problem skipping my period by starting the next pack immediately after finishing one. All I can say is try it and see.

Good luck!
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-19-2003
Thu, 02-12-2004 - 2:44pm
Does it feel like you are still going to have your period? That is what I am nervous about. I am still having cramps...this morning would have been the start of my period. I have skipped my period completely on otc before, and a second time, I attempted to, but started a week later. I was not taking the pills like I should have been the second time around. It is just so weird because I feel like I am going to start anyways....I have not missed one pill..and all of them have been at the same time every day.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-30-2003
Thu, 02-12-2004 - 7:51pm
I never had any kind of side effects when skipping. No cramps, spotting, etc. But, I never really experienced that much in the way of cramps, anyway. I usually would only have cramps a few hours before I started and that was it. I don't know if that helps any...