Expert: Diane Cheryl - 1/1/2010

Question
I take ocella birth control pills and always do the three-week active pill with an ensuing one-week placebo period pill. For timing when I will see my boyfriend though, I am wondering if it is okay to manipulate the timing of my period, either by:

continuing on to a new pack of pills instead of taking a week of placebo pills (in essence skipping that period altogether and having 6 straight weeks of pills before placebo)

or by starting a new pack a week later than I'm supposed to so that my next period will start a week later (basically have two weeks of placebo in between full packets)

or by stopping taking the pills a week early to allow my period to come a week earlier and cutting down the ovulation cycle

...these are all solutions I've heard from friends but I don't want to do anything harmful that may mess up my hormones or increase a chance of pregnancy. Thanks!

Answer
Hello Emily,

Yes, I have heard of women doing these things to manipulate their periods but I don't recommend that at all. I think, like you do, that this can alter your hormones and natural cycle. I believe that natural is the best way and I don't advise even to take birth control pills at all.
If you want to email me at CHERYL51@aol.com please do so.

Oh, and I forgot to tell you that I found your question in the question pool at allexperts.com
That means that whoever you asked your question to, didn't answer it or couldn't. That person put your question in the question pool for someone else to answer. So that is why I am trying to answer your question even though I see that you asked it around Jan. 1.

Let me know what else is happening. You can email me like I said.

Sincerely,
Diane Cheryl
CHERYL51@aol.com