Swapping active and placebo pills?
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Swapping active and placebo pills?
| Thu, 06-24-2004 - 12:02am |
Hi everyone, I've been on Alesse for over a year now and my wedding is coming up a 2 months and I just realized I'll have my period on that week! Needless to say, I'd like to shift things around.
Since I'm on monophasic pills, I was wondering if I could take 2 weeks of active pills, then take 1 week placebo pills, then start a new pack in addition to the 1 week of active pills that I skipped? (ie, take 2 week active, 1 week placebo, then 4 weeks active). The reason why I ask is because I can't get my prescription until after a certain amount of time has passes since the last prescription.
Will doing this be safe and will it still protect me from pregnancy?
Thanks!
Rainstorms

I was on Alesse for a long time too and in my opinion, I wouldn't mess with it the way you plan to. Because you would essentially be stopping in the middle of your cycle, I'd be more than willing to bet that if you went through with it you would have a couple weeks of break through bleeding. My advice is that you should just take all 6 weeks of active pills in the two packs in a row (3 active weeks +1 inactive week X 2 Packs = active weeks). It isn't unhealthy for a woman to skip one period and take her birth control continually for 6 weeks. It's also NOT essential that you bleed EVERY single month. No harm done to do it this way.
Good Luck and congrats on the wedding!
~*~Jenn~*~
I agree with Jenn,
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!
You don't want to be stopping in mid pack if you can help it. Two months back-to-back should work for you. Let us know how you are doing, ok?
Good luck,
Jill
Would it still be ok if I start my new pack early a couple days to shift my period cycle?
You can shorten your placebo week as much as you like with no reduction in protection, but you CAN NOT extend it past 7 24-hour days or you will loose your protection! Come back and let us know how you are doing, ok?
Good luck,
Jill
quick question: when would the breakthrough bleeding occur if I were to skip the placebo week?