Please help...Skipping/Delaying Periods.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-02-2004
Please help...Skipping/Delaying Periods.
5
Sun, 05-02-2004 - 1:41am
Yes I know you've all heard this question before but I'm going to ask it anyway. I'm on Microgestin 1/20 BCP's which is the generic brand for Loestrin 21 so it's also a Monophasic pill. I've been on it since January with no problems. I have a vacation coming up soon, and that's the week I'm supposed to get my period, I would really prefer to have it the week before because I don't want and to try and delay it at that time as I have a really long plane flight soon after that vacation and I don't want to risk breakthrough bleeding. Because of this reason I want to try and adjust my period now way ahead of the vacation so I end up with it the week before.

So I've been thinking of two options either I try and skip my placebo pills week (well I don't have placebo pills so my week off) and go straight to the next pack, now it would have to work for the full 6 weeks to get my period that desired week before the trip, the other option I've been thinking about is taking the active pills for 2 weeks and then having my period which would also mean I'd get it the desired week. I'm worried about taking it the full 6 weeks because it may not work and may not end up with my period in the desired week. What would happen if I just took the active pills for 2 weeks? Would I just have a light period? What effect would it have on my next cycle? Has anybody done this before? Any info would be great. Please give me your opinions on which option you would take. I hope this wasn't too confusing. Thanks.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sun, 05-02-2004 - 8:17am
Hi vamp_andy, welcome!

The option I would choose is to go for 2 packs back-to-back - the entire 6 weeks. You have been on Microgestin for long enough that your body is accustomed to it which is a good thing before trying to reschedule AF. You might have break-through-bleeding during the 2nd 3 weeks but chances are you won’t. The reason I didn’t choose the 2 week option is because taking active pills for only 14 days I would be uneasy about my protection during the pill free week without using back-up. You might be ok, but BCPs haven’t been tested for overall effectiveness when used that way. If you do decide on the 2 week option I would definitely use back-up during your pill free week and for 7 days into your next pack. That’s just what I’d do. Better safe that sorry, right? Let us know what you decide, and how it works, ok?

Good luck

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-02-2004
Sun, 05-02-2004 - 3:45pm
Oh I forgot to mention that I'm currently not on BCP for birth control reasons, I'm on them for really bad cramps and they've done the world of good. I have another question if I choose to go with the 6 weeks option if I have break through bleeding what happens...like do I have to stop taking the pills and have the 7 day break or do I keep taking them until I finish the 6 weeks or does it depend on how bad the break through bleeding is? Thanks
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sun, 05-02-2004 - 4:49pm
If you do have btb I suppose it depends on how bad the bleeding gets. I would try to stick it out. But, if you don't need your pills for BC that gives you more flexibility. You could go with the 2 week option and not worry about contraception. If you really won't need birth control that might be the thing to do. I think it's a toss-up

Good luck

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-02-2004
Tue, 05-04-2004 - 11:52pm
Ok I think I have just one more question before I make my decision. If I go with just taking the 2 weeks of active pills is it definite that I'll have a period in week 3? I've heard of people having their period after stopping the active pills after a couple of days. My periods normally last around the 5 day mark when taking the 3 weeks of active pills so just want to clarify that I will still get it if I only take 2 weeks. Thanks, I appreciate all your help.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Wed, 05-05-2004 - 12:23am
You will almost certainly get it (my guess would be early) but no one can say for sure when and because you will be stopping in mid pack, it might last the entire week off, but it might not. You really aren't going to know how your body will handle the situation until you try.

Good luck

      Jill