Expert: Norman Solberg - 2/27/2010

Question
Hi,
Is there a way to ensure that my menstrual cycle happensat a certain time? I am taking a vacation with my husband without the kids. Finally we'll have time for the two of us. I have checked the calendar and low and behold guess when my period will start. Yes, at the very beginning of our week long vacation. I have started taking birth control pills and now it seems that it SHOULD start the week before we leave. Is there anyway that I can figure things out to be sure that it doesn't happen while we're away? Any tricks?
Thanks for listening :)

Answer
Birth control pills are the best way to have your period when you want to.  It's more reliable when you've been on the pill for a while, because sometimes there is breakthrough bleeding.  However, as long as you're on the pill and your period should come the week before, I don't think you'll have any problem.  As long as your period comes when expected and you start a new pack of pills, your period shouldn't come.