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birthcontrol skipping the placebos and taking the next pack
I've been on birth control since October 2009, and I'm going on a little vacation with my boyfriend, and I'm supposed to get my period over it, I was wondering how harmful (if it is) would it be if I just skipped my placebo pills and went straight to my next pack? Would that affect my next period? I'm just wondering. And is it safe? I mean I know you're supposed to get your period for a reason so I don't know how that would make me feel when I did get my period the next time but yeah..
Thanks :)
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The placebo pills are "fake." They are made up of sugar and mostly are just given to you so that you get into the habit of taking a pill everyday, so that when you start your new pack.. you don't forget. But DO NOT start your new pack after waiting the 4 days to substitute the placebos. That can seriously screw up your menstrual cycle.
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Here is information directly from the Mayo Clinic:
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"It's possible to prevent your period with continuous use of any birth control pill. This means skipping the placebo pills and starting right away on a new pack. Some evidence suggests an advantage to this type of pill regimen. By continuously taking the pill, you prevent hormonal fluctuations that are responsible for bleeding, cramping, headaches and other discomforts associated with getting your period. However, you're at greater risk of breakthrough bleeding — bleeding between periods.
Continuous use of your birth control pills works best if you're taking a monophasic pill — with the same hormone dose in the three weeks of active pills. If you're taking a triphasic pill — with a different hormone dose each week of the active pill phase — using them continuously carries a much higher rate of breakthrough bleeding.
You may find continuous use of birth control pills a convenient way to avoid having your period during an important occasion or trip. Taking a monthly regimen birth control pill continuously is fine for about three months, but then you should plan on taking the placebo pills so that you'll have a menstrual cycle. "
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Skipping the placebos is not harmful, since they are basically just made of sugar. However, going directly into the next pack will set your body's natural menstrual rythym off. This means that next month, you might have spotting, no period at all, or even an early period.
So, answer to your question: No, it does not hurt to skip placebos. Yes, it does matter if you start the next pack.
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