San Antonio, TX
A 23-year-old female asked:
Are the placebo pills necessary and if not can i skip them and begin a new birth control pack?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Jennifer Atkinsanswered
Pediatrics 13 years experience
Contraception : The placebo are necessary only if you want to have a period. You may skip them and move on to a new pack of pills. However, at some point you may have some irregular and unpredictable spitting. In addition, many women experience longer and heavier periods the longer they go without having a period.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
636 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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San Jose, CA
A 29-year-old female asked:
Is it necessary to take the inactive pills from the birth control pack?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Gena Kluweanswered
Internal Medicine 26 years experience
No, but... those r: To help you to remember to take your pills on a daily basis. The placebos (inactive pills) are so you'll remember to take nothing until you start the active pills again. It's a great system. If you just take them and throw them away, that's okay, too. Just keep the cycle regular.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Can i start a new pack of birth control in the middle of placebo?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Edward Jacobsanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 48 years experience
No: Follow the correct directions on your particular pill pack.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Related questions
A 20-year-old female asked:
While taking birth control pills, is it safe to skip the placebo pill week and just start the next pack?
Dr. Sathish Philipanswered
Family Medicine 20 years experience
Medication regimen: Yes you may skip the placebo pill pack. The purpose of the placebo pills are to keep the habit consistent for taking the pills daily and hence reduce ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
658 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:
I missed a birth control triphasic pill in the 3rd week of my pack. When will I be safe to have unprotected sex if I skip my placebo pills?
Dr. John Berrymananswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 56 years experience
Even with triphsic oral bcp's, missing an active pill will not diminish the overall contraceptive effect. When taking placebos for seven days does no... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed Jun 23, 2021
A 20-year-old female asked:
If i just had sex but forgot its time for my placebo birth control week, could i skip my placebo week and start a new pack? My brand is zovia.
Dr. Jeff Livingstonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 24 years experience
Many do: Some patients prefer not to take the placebo week pills. As long as you follow the directions taking one pill per day during the 21 days and restart t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:
Why does my obygn dr not want me to skip the placebo week and go straight to the active pills in my birth control packs to avoid getting periods?
Dr. Allison Grecoanswered
General Practice 11 years experience
Depends: Skipping periods is generally okay for most people, however you cannot skip them forever. Women who skip periods may still experience cramping and spo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
View all answers
A 18-year-old female asked:
Instead of starting placebo pills for sprintec birth control can I start a new pack instead?
A Verified Doctoranswered
Urgent Care 21 years experience
Discuss with your OB: You should discuss it with your OB first. When a woman skips the placebo pills the withdrawal bleeding that normally occurs during that time is "skipp... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Jul 3, 2017
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