How healthy is it to skip the placebo week of birth control and start a brand new pack instead?
I have been on birth control for nearly 2 years. I have been skipping the placebo week for over a year now. Instead, I just start a new pack immediately, so I am always on the pill and don’t have periods.
My friends always ask me if that’s healthy or not. From what I know, the extra estrogen you take in birth control increases my risk of breast cancer. However, by not having periods, I am decreasing my risk of cervical cancer. Am I correct on this?
Also, I have told at least 3 doctors that I do this, and have not had a single one tell me that it is unhealthy to do so. Is this healthy to do for an extended length of time?
Thanks for your answers 🙂
June 24th, 2010 at 5:22 am
Doctors suggest you allow your body to menstrate at least 3 times per year. I would take the week off every 4 months.
June 24th, 2010 at 6:19 am
I’ve been on the pill for 10 years and have always skipped that week of pills. Of course, make sure you use another form of birth control that week. I don’t see why it would be unhealthy. From what I know, those pills do nothing except keep you on your daily pill-taking routine. I worry about the negative longterm effects of taking the pills, especially since I’ve been on them for so long. But, my doctor tells me that it keeps me healthier. I guess there are pros and cons.
Oh, geez wait a minute. I just re-read your question and realized that not only do you skip the “placebo” week, but you start a new pack right away! No, no, no – don’t do that! The pills are meant to keep your body on a 28-day cycle. Wow, I would ask your doctor again about this and make it really clear what you’re doing. My periods are so light while I’m on the pill, they might as well be non-existent, so I’m happy with that result. Sorry, I should have read your question more closely!!
June 24th, 2010 at 6:30 am
That is so riduculously unhealthy. How has your body got a chance to rid itself of all the nasties, lining and general build up it normally would? It hasn’t. Nature knows best, and trying to change ur body’s natural cycle is never healthy. It might be convenient but it’s so un-natural. The pill is not good for you no matter which way you look at it. If you have bad period try evening primrose oil or controlling the flow with Ponstan.
June 24th, 2010 at 7:05 am
If you have a progestin-only pill, you may be OK, but most pills are estrogen/progestin combinations, and you may run an increased risk of endometrial hyperplasia and possibly even endometrial carcinoma. Best to have a withdrawal bleed every three or four months, anyway, just to be safe.
June 24th, 2010 at 7:34 am
You are not decreasing your risk of cervical cancer you are increasing it by taking to many hormones.You are protected the week you take the placebo.I dont believe a doctor told you this is healthy,it is quite unhealthy.If you dont want periods switch to the depo shot.It protects for 3 months and is more convient than the pill.
June 24th, 2010 at 8:34 am
very bad, you will end up with cancer. stop it
June 24th, 2010 at 9:29 am
i have talked at length with my doctor about this. the doctor said that it is ok to skip the placebo pills for three months and then you should have a period. this way you are having three to four periods a year. by skipping them, you are building up all of the endometrial tissue, which causes a risk for endometriosis. however, in three to four months, you can’t build enough to cause a problem.
June 24th, 2010 at 10:27 am
you can do it for 3 months at a time, i’ve read there’s no reason we need to menstruate every month but u still have tissue from uterine lining that your body wants to get rid of so its good to have a period every 4 months….. the normal amount of hormones in the pill can help prevent cancers and stuff, u don’t need extra, skipping periods can cause iron build up or clots so read about how to prevent it- there’s a new one called seasonale that keeps u on schedule and have a period 4 times a yr