Expert: Norman Solberg - 6/21/2009

Question
I take bc pills strictly to regulate my period ( I had a tubal so dont need pregnancy protection) I wanted to skip a period so started taking the new pack of pills, but about 3 weeks into them, I started my period anyways, so I just stopped the pills & let the period come. Now, Im confused about when to start taking them again. Im on my period now, and want to start them next week (Sunday) Will that mess up my cycle? Any reason I must start them today?

Answer
There are 2 reasons to start a pack during a period.  The first is that you know you're not pregnant.  Since that doesn't  apply to you, the other one is that otherwise you're more likely to have breakthrough bleeding that month.  If you're off the pill more than 7 days, you're more likely to bleed during the next pack.