Swapping active and placebo pills?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Swapping active and placebo pills?
7
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

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2004
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 12:18am
Hey Rainstorms & Welcome to the board!

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~*~

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 12:49am
Hi Rainstorms, welcome!

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

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 10:00am
Thank you for the responses! Yeah, I wouldn't want to get pregnant right before my own wedding! ha ha.

Would it still be ok if I start my new pack early a couple days to shift my period cycle?

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 10:19am
Hi rainstorms,

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

    

Avatar for lucy4980
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 06-24-2004 - 5:13pm
About the time limit on perscriptions - you can call your insurance company and ask them to release payment for the next month's perscription early. They will usually do this. I have done this when I was going to be travelling and needed to get my perscription filled before I left home. The insurance companies will usually make an exception once in awhile for stuff like that.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 06-25-2004 - 3:52pm
Thanks everyone! I think I'll just go ahead and get one pack without running it through my insurance company. Alesse is not that expensive at my pharmacy anyways!

quick question: when would the breakthrough bleeding occur if I were to skip the placebo week?

Avatar for lucy4980
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 06-25-2004 - 4:38pm
I've skipped the placebo week and not had any breakthrough bleeding. The next month I had a heavy period though with some extra cramping. So just be ready for that. It might not happen to you since everyone is different, but if it does, you wont be taken by surprise.