Ask Me Help Desk - Putting Off Periods With The Pill?

I have the trip of a life time coming up in late October and I really really don't want to be on my period at the time.

I have worked out on paper and I think the last few days I will be on my period.

I haven't started the pill yet but I am going to and this would defiantly be a factor in the brand I choose.

Is there a way I can put off my period with the pill for a few days? Maybe by missing the spacer pills for the last few days of my holiday and taking the regular pill then taking a brake?

Is there a pill where its safer to do this?

Is there a pill that stops your periods all together?

Give your doctor a call to make sure it is OK, but you should be able to skip your period that month. You would just skip the inactive pills and start a new pack, which will prevent your flow. My doctor gave me the OK to do this when I had a vacation or special occasion, but make sure you can do the same before trying it. You might be on a different pill, in different health, etc.

EDIT: If you aren't on a pill now, consider asking about Seasonale (that's the brand name), you only get 4 periods a year. I've been on it for two years now and haven't had any problems. Talk to your doctor, it might be an option for you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillianleab

Give your doctor a call to make sure it is ok, but you should be able to skip your period that month. You would just skip the inactive pills and start a new pack, which will prevent your flow. My doctor gave me the OK to do this when I had a vacation or special occassion, but make sure you can do the same before trying it. You might be on a different pill, in different health, etc.

EDIT: If you aren't on a pill now, consider asking about Seasonale (that's the brand name), you only get 4 periods a year. I've been on it for two years now and haven't had any problems. Talk to your doctor, it might be an option for you.

How long do the periods last? How heavy are they?

Thanks for the useful answer.

On Seasonale your period still lasts 7 days, and I don't find it to be heavier than when I was on the regular pill, or not on the pill at all. Sometimes it only lasts for 3 or 4 days with spotting for the rest. My only problem is spotting if I don't take the pill RIGHT ON TIME everyday. My doctor told me this is unusual.

There was recent talk of a new pill you take non-stop and don't get any periods at all; but I don't know if it is on the market yet. I'm also not sure of the name. There is some debate about if this is healthy. You can ask your doctor about this option too. The only thing I'd warn you about is with the two pills I've mentioned, you won't know right away if they fail and you get pregnant. I'm guessing since you've never been on the pill you are young, so you probably wouldn't recognize the signs of pregnancy, which could be dangerous. My suggestion would be to go for the regular monthly pill and confirm with your doctor you can "skip" your period for a month here and there. Remember, it's all about communication!

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillianleab

On Seasonale your period still lasts 7 days, and I don't find it to be heavier than when I was on the regular pill, or not on the pill at all. Sometimes it only lasts for 3 or 4 days with spotting for the rest. My only problem is spotting if I don't take the pill RIGHT ON TIME everyday. My doctor told me this is unusual.

There was recent talk of a new pill you take non-stop and don't get any periods at all; but I don't know if it is on the market yet. I'm also not sure of the name. There is some debate about if this is healthy. You can ask your doctor about this option too. The only thing I'd warn you about is with the two pills I've mentioned, you won't know right away if they fail and you get pregnant. I'm guessing since you've never been on the pill you are young, so you probably wouldn't recognize the signs of pregnancy, which could be dangerous. My suggestion would be to go for the regular monthly pill and confirm with your doctor you can "skip" your period for a month here and there. Remember, it's all about communication!

Do you know if Seasonale is sold in the uk ( just because I presume a lot of people are on this site are from the US )

Im going to book a doctors appointment soon, or maybe go to the teen health clinic because I think its free there?

Anyway thanks for the help!

Sorry, I didn't realize you were in the UK; I am in the US, so things might be different.

I'm not sure about what medications you can get in the UK. The pill I take isn't the name brand "Seasonale" but a generic pill which has the same formula as Seasonale (it's called Levlin), so it works the same way. I know the FDA doesn't approve all monthly pills to be taken the way I take mine, but the UK isn't governed by the FDA, so it might be different there. Really it's going to depend on the info you can get from your doctor. As far as going to the teen clinic, I guess that's up to you. If you feel you will get the same quality of care and information there than from your regular doctor, then go for it. Personally I would see my normal doctor, since so many questions need answered.

I was on seasonale for a year. I didn't have any spotting, my only negative was that for some reason it made me gain weight. I went back on ortho tri cyclen because this birth control didn't effect my weight.