Seasonale and the timing of periods
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Seasonale and the timing of periods
| Fri, 09-24-2004 - 10:20am |
I'm starting Seasonale after 5 years on ortho-tricyclen. As you know, Seasonale gives you 12 weeks of active pills then one week of placebos, during which you have a period.
Since all 12 weeks of active pills have the same level of hormones (in other words, it is not cyclic), it seems pretty arbitrary when you choose to have the period. In fact, I have heard that you could have just 1 or even none per year instead of 4, but doctors are still skeptical so they designed it to give you 4 just to be safe.
SO, in theory, there should be no trouble if I take a week off (and get a period) after 11 weeks of active pills instead of 12, right? (Or, for example, after 13 weeks instead of 12.) Because I'm trying to plan around a vacation, and even though it's nice to only have 4 periods a year, it's no fun if one of those falls during a crucial week!

On Seasonale I think you should be able to stop for a week mid-pack to adjust your period schedule. However, I would do it at least 3 or 4 active weeks of pills before the end of the pack. The reason I say that is that I think the FDA approval of oral contraceptives (for effective protection during the pill-free week) was after tests using a 21/7 regimen, taking 21 active pills consecutively before a placebo week. Taking a break at least 3 weeks before the end of the actives in your pack should provide effective protection when you get to the placebos. It would be a good idea to check with your doctor to see what s/he says. Let us know how you like Seasonale, ok?
Good luck,
Jill