Need help when on birth control pills. how many years is it okay to stay on the pill, before you will need a break?

No break necessary: Another old wives' tale disproved -- years of research and real world use has shown that constant, years long use of bcps is not dangerous, but actually provides health benefits: less iron deficiency anemia, lighter periods, fewer ovarian cysts, and fewer breast cysts, for example.

No need to stop pill: Birth control pills have a very short effect and are out of your system in days. So no break is needed, fertility returns right away. In addition there are other benefits from long term use as mentioned including lighter periods, reduced rate of anemia, less cramps, less acne, less ovarian cysts, and reduced rates of ovarian and uterine cancer even many years later.