Skipping Non-Active, Starting New Pack?

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-13-2003
Skipping Non-Active, Starting New Pack?
2
Fri, 06-04-2004 - 3:04pm
I have a question. I am on ortho-tricyclen Lo and I am going to be going to the beach soon. I am due to take my non-active pills and I will start my period while I am down there :( . I was wondering is it safe to skip my non active pills and start a new pack to prevent this from happening? Any answers would help. Thanks.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-17-2004
Fri, 06-04-2004 - 3:13pm
I tried doing this when I was on OTC, but the problem was, since it was a triphasic pill with different levels of hormones, the level of hormones on the first week or so of pills wasn't enough to keep me from having my period when I skipped my non active week. My doctor told me skipping periods won't work with OTC. Just my two cents. :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Fri, 06-04-2004 - 11:12pm
Hi collegegurl2003, welcome!

Triphasics like OTC-Lo are hard to skip on because of the drop in the level of hormones between the first and third weeks. What will often work is to take the third weeks pills from a new pack directly after the third week pills from the previous pack. That will keep the hormones that you are ingesting the same for the third and fourth week of that cycle which should allow you to delay your period by a week. I hope you have a great time at the beach.

Good luck

      Jill