Expert: Norman Solberg - 8/14/2011

Question
I'm 17yrs old and have been on the pill for about 6 months. After doing an ultrasound and blood tests that came back clear, my doctor placed me on the pill because I had horrible cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea whenever my period came around. I would have to miss school and spend two or three days laying in bed.

She placed me on Femiane, which is used for 21 days and then you break for 7 (which is when your period is supposed to come). The little pamphlet that comes with the package says that you can start a new set of pills right after you finish the first 21 pills if you want to skip your period.

Although, my periods have been much improved since going on the pill...they are still painful and affect how I do in school.

I'm wondering if there is any danger in continuing to take the pill without breaking for months at a time. I have already skipped two periods (I'm in my 3rd set without breaking).

I would like to take it for as long as possible, and avoid as many periods as possible. Are there any side effects that I should know about? Is this even a wise/safe thing to do?

Thanks so much in advance!

Answer
Hi Jessa,

It's fine to keep taking the active pills and trying to avoid periods.  Usually it only works for so long, and then you may get some bleeding.  If it's slight, you can ignore it.  If it's more, then you can stop the pill for 4-7 days, let your period come, and then restart the active pills.  Then keep taking the pills as long as you can.  It's not harmful to avoid periods in this way, and if you're lucky, you may have very few periods in a year.