Skipping a month on "The Pill"
 

ok, you know how you can take 2 months worth of birth control pills and skip a cycle.... Well, if you do that..are you likely to get pregnant during the period (no pun intended) in which you were suppsed to be having your period?

Hmm.. I'm no medical expert, but I wouldn't think so. :confused:

You should probably check with your health care professional to get all the facts :)

I didn't know where else to post this but I need someone's advice...

I switched birth controll pills and am now taking Loestra. I haven't had a period since July 26th.....and my face is starting to break out (which never happens). Any ideas of what is wrong. I know I'm not pregnant...but I'm nervous that this new pill is too low/high of a dosage and that's why I have yet to get my period.

Anyone?!?!?!

Hootie:confused:

Speaking of the pill, a little off the subject but I'm trying to get my girlfriend on it, but she's a little scared that she's going to gain weight...any advice ladies...Boyfriend in Dire need of answers.

According to the doctors the most a woman will gain on the pill is approx. 5 pounds...if that. And most women who already have good physical health and eating habits probably won't notice a gain at all.

I do know this much...when I started the pill a year ago my face broke out a little at first because of the hormones, however it cleared up right away. I'm only concerned right now cuz I've gotten more pimples than ever and have noticed more coming and my face is like porcelain normally.

So she'll want to take good care of her skin...but otherwise the best decision I've made.

Hootie

Tara - do you mean to skip the "period pills" and just go to the next pack of active pills? No, you shouldn't get pregnant. I know I personally would not do that method though, just because I don't like the idea of not getting my period for months on end. :eek: If it is going to make you too paranoid I would just go back to the normal way...

Dr. 33

Okay, as for skipping pills, here is what my doctor said... it shouldn't affect the birth-control benefits of the pill if you are on a pill that offers equal amounts of hormone for the ENTIRE month. However, if you are on a progressive/tri-phase pill (ie. orthotricyclene) then it might and (not to be gross) you will not skip your period completely on tri-phase, you will usually have "spotting."

As for you, Hootie, there are several pills that are clinically proven to clear your skin up instead of make you break out...

And, DeltaSig, reassure your girlfriend that if she does gain weight (which is usually not too much), her chest will probably grow too! That is where most girls I know gained all their weight when they went on the pill... not a bad deal!

Most likely she won't. If she does, it will only be about 5 pounds. In rare cases, some women have gained more than that but usually this won't happen.

I agree w/ ZTAngel.. it all varies from person to person.. some people might gain 5 lbs. some people might LOSE weight..and yet others might not notice a change at all.

Hootie: i used to work at a pharmacy and multiple women came in and had the same-type question as you. The pharmacist usually told them to go see their gyno again and explain this situation. But, Orthotricyclen is supposed to help with the break outs. A lot of my friends who went on it said that their faces cleared up a lot and their breasts got bigger. Just some information that might be able to help.
Tara

I wish that I knew wheer I read this, butrecently I saw an article in the paper that said a study had just been completed about weight gain and the pill. Apparently, there is no evidence to back up the "myth" about weight gain just because you are on the pill. I'm not saying that people do or don't, that's just the study. But I think that usually, if people do gain or lose weight, it is no more or less than about 5lbs, or the normal amount your weight might naturally fluctuate.

As far as getting your girlfriend on the pill...do it! If the weight gain issue bothers her, ponder this: how much weight does one gain from pregnancy? That would make even the most weight-conscious girl rethink her anti-pill stance. I personally gained 5 lbs, but then lost it back and then some once I started exercising and watching my diet. Nothing too extreme, just good ol' healthy eatin'. Tell her to avoid salt and drink lots o' H20 and cut out the sodas. That's what I did, which is good health advice regardless. Just do not go on "the shot" because that stuff makes you gain at least 15 lbs and from what I heard once you go off it you bleed incessantly. But please be safe!!!

excellent point swissmiss04

I would rather risk gaining 5 lbs. than 35+ pounds (or whatever the amount is for pregancy) later *and* have a lil one... I haven't gained any weight.

and ditto with what swissmiss said about the shot. a couple friends of mine were on it and gained a large amount of weight. so if weight is your girlfriend's issue, the pill is probably the best choice. (that's just my opinion though)

much obliged ladies,
I'm on the phone with her right now as I'm checking y'alls posts. Good info and she's doesn't believe that she'll only gain 5 at the maximum. SHe said her docter told her that she would gain between 5-10 at the most 15 pounds on the pill. she's worried but realizes it doesn't apply to everyone. She's saying something about taking a break after a year of use because the docter said she might become steril.

it's also not just that, but she saying why does it have to be all her and not me, but I was just telling her that condoms aren't always 100 percent safe, neither is birth control, but I'm pretty sure it's close.

I'll PM you!

I'm surprised she doesn't want to go on the Pill. Most ladies I know opt to be on it because that's a method that they control. Of course, we all use condoms too, but two different modes of protection never hurt anybody.

Safe sex & contraception are joint efforts.

I cannot believe how many of you are on the pill. I have only known two women who have opted for that form of contraception.

DeltaSig -

Your sweetie's doctor is an idiot. :rolleyes:

You do not have to "take a break" from the pill...it does not make you sterile to stay on it. That might have been the case when it was first developed but now there are different dosages to fit everyone's body.

That doctor is a quack! I swear I hate ignorant people with an MD attached to their names!

The pill can no more make you sterile than penicillin or something, I mean hell! Your girlfriend needs to see another OBGYN because I wouldn't trust them from here on out!

I started on the ring, it is called the Nuvaring , or something, because I suck at taking a pill everyday.
I have no weight gain, my breasts are still the same as always, and I have a two day period that is light.
YES THANK YOU JESUS!

For anyone wondering, it is about as big as the size of the rim of a condom, but there is no middle. You insert it inside and leave it there for three weeks, then remove it and you have your period. You don't feel it at all, it is really flexible, and it can move around, so long as it stays inside of you, it doesn't matter where, it is still working.
Your body activates the release of the hormones in it, so it is stored in a fridge until you take it home and use it. Then your body warms it up to the right temperature, you get the hormones and YES! Just like the pill, but no daily "Oh god, what time is it? I need to take my pill!"
Some pills are really really sensitive to the time thing, too, and this helps alliviate that.

So, anyway, just thought I would let you girls know!

I love my fellow greek ladies....I talked to her and she has decided after countless conversations and reading your posts to get on the pill as long as I go with her to the doctor. All is well and I thank each and every one of y'all for your input.
A very much appreciative and thankful man.
Mike

Hope everything works out for ya DeltaSig! :)

DeltaSig, props to you for going with her! Of course I believe birth control should be shared by both partners, not all guys are as cool as you are and as involved in the process. Awesome!!

let me address all the concerns.
1. weight gain - myth, the old pills like what our moms took did, but now adays it just doesn't happen. the shot does. you have to be very careful with the shot. not only can you gain massive weight, you can bleed uncontrolabley for months on end. unpleasant i know, but something girls should know if they are considering it.

2. skin break outs - yes, obviously as others have said, this is an unfriendly side effect to the pill. but i look at it this way, i used to break out right before i got my period anyways so not much changed when i first started, but now everything is cool. i don't really get break outs unless i've been eating greasy foods or not keeping up on my skin care regiment.

3. skipping period pills - been there done that and i've been fine. basically if you are on a non triphase pill you should be fine. all it does is trick your body like usual and keeps you from starting your period for another cycle. i don't recommend doing this more than 2-3 times a year and spread out time wise (like don't do it three months in a row) in fact, i just did it when i went on my cruise to mexico. lord knows i didn't want to deal with my period in mexico.

overall, the pill is great. you have to give it at least 3months to get your body used to it. if at that time you realize it's not working properly (i.e. - bad breakouts, frequent spotting, etc.) then consider trying another type. all pills have the same amount of hormone, i think it's something like no more than 20mg each pill so it's a matter of brand type that works for you. also i highly recommend trying the birth control patch. no daily pill, just a weekly sticker you put on basically. if you've tried it, let me know.

shelley j

hope this helps someone out
 

i was on ortho-tri-cyclen, which i loved and never had any problems except i got *infections*:p the first 3 months i was on it, which was expected. after that, it was smooth sailing. my face definitely cleared up...my face was as smooth as a baby's bottom:D plus, you always know when your period starts...mine started on the same day every month, lasted only about 3 or four days, and was very light. as for weight gain, i didn't experience that at all. i think i actually lost a few pounds.
if you're on ortho-tri-cyclen, it really doesn't do you any good to take your pills back to back, skipping those little green pills that don't do anything. i did that for prom, thinking i wouldn't get my period. instead, i just got this annoying spotting.
now i'm on Depo-Provera, the shot. it's great, b/c i haven't had a period in months, and i kept forgetting to take my pills once i entered college. i also haven't had any weight gain, like some people say happen if you get on the shot, but my face is not as baby smooth as it once was. when i first got on the shit, my face had a war against me. now, it's a little better, but i still get really bad break outs, but that's the only bad thing i've experienced