Question 1

i shortened my placebo week by taking my active pill two days early to stop my bleeding, but i'm still bleeding and it should have stopped by now. what should i do? are the pills still as effective?

Accepted Answer

Still effective: If you did not stop you pills when you had the abnormal period, it should still be effective.  The abnormal period is just because the change it what your body is used to. It should correct itself next cycle.

Question 2

if i'm on my period right now, (the placebo week on my pack) can i start my new birth control pack to try and shorten my period?

Accepted Answer

Yes: If you"re hoping to shorten the period that you are having now it may or may not help. You will be protected unless you have missed active pills, and it is worth trying.Take at least 4 days of the placebos if possible. Keep in mind that if you normally start your pack on a Sunday that this will change. Most packs have stickers to place on top of the imprinted days of the week.

Question 3

is it ok if i take my placebo week pills a little late?

Accepted Answer

Likely yes: I am a little unclear what you mean by late, but the placebo pills are there to keep you on schedule and do not actually need to be ingested. However, you need to start the real pills at the correct time in order to remain infertile.   Just start your real pills on the expected day and all should be fine.

Question 4

can skipping placebo week to start new pack cause a change in cycle?

Accepted Answer

Yes: It changes the hormone cycle and can either cause prolonged bleeding or delayed bleeding; you should take the placebo pills to keep the cycle on track.

Question 5

i changed my pill after placebo week into different brand but they contain exact same content, do i have to wait for a week to be protected or am i already protected on the first week of switching the pill since they have the same content?

Accepted Answer

: You should have the same protection.

Question 6

i took my placebo pills a week early for two months. i decided to get back to normal (3 weeks and then take the placebos) and i spotted a week before my placebo week and it lasted about 8 days. i didnt get my bleed. is this normal? all tests neg?

Accepted Answer

: Hard to answer this. Why were you on a placebo pill? please explain better for a helpful answer.

Question 7

could it be healthy to skip placebo week and start a new pack?

Accepted Answer

Yes...ask your doc: Taking Birth Control pills continuously like this won't hurt you in any way.  Its sometimes recommended for women who have migraine headaches during their period or other severe period-related symptoms.  Most women who do this will eventually start to have some break-through bleeding.  Ask you doc if this way of taking birth-control is right for you.  Best wishes!

Question 8

how often can i skip my placebo week (june fe 1/20)? i read that it isn't healthy to do it frequently. how many times a year?

Accepted Answer

Can always: Some people choose to always skip the placebo pills and take birth control continuously. This is a safe option but you should only do so after being cleared by your treating doctor.

Question 9

how quickly do cocs take effect? are you protected after only a couple of hours after starting a new pack after the placebo week?

Accepted Answer

Continued protection: A woman on birth control pills, taking them properly, and beyond her first pack of pills... has no fertile day and has no fertile week.  She is not fertile when on birth control pills.  That means she has protection against pregnancy every day, regardless of where she is in her pill pack.  However, adding condoms can protect against some STD diseases, and may decrease vaginal odor or discharge.

Question 10

if i take a plan b pill 2 days before my placebo week starts am i more likely to ovulate during my placebo week than if i hadn't taken plan b?

Accepted Answer

No: and if you are on and taking birth control pills, there is no need to take plan B-- ever

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Doctor answers about:

Shorten placebo week

A member asked:

I shortened my placebo week by taking my active pill two days early to stop my bleeding, but i'm still bleeding and it should have stopped by now. what should i do? are the pills still as effective?

A member asked:

If i'm on my period right now, (the placebo week on my pack) can i start my new birth control pack to try and shorten my period?

A member asked:

Is it ok if i take my placebo week pills a little late?

A member asked:

Can skipping placebo week to start new pack cause a change in cycle?

A member asked:

I changed my pill after placebo week into different brand but they contain exact same content, do i have to wait for a week to be protected or am i already protected on the first week of switching the pill since they have the same content?

A member asked:

I took my placebo pills a week early for two months. i decided to get back to normal (3 weeks and then take the placebos) and i spotted a week before my placebo week and it lasted about 8 days. i didnt get my bleed. is this normal? all tests neg?

A member asked:

Could it be healthy to skip placebo week and start a new pack?

A member asked:

How often can i skip my placebo week (june fe 1/20)? i read that it isn't healthy to do it frequently. how many times a year?

A member asked:

How quickly do cocs take effect? are you protected after only a couple of hours after starting a new pack after the placebo week?

A member asked:

If i take a plan b pill 2 days before my placebo week starts am i more likely to ovulate during my placebo week than if i hadn't taken plan b?

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