A woman can amend two contraceptive packs, without any risk to her health and without interfering with her reproductive capacity. However, anyone who wants to stop menstruating must change the pill for a continuous pill, which does not require a break or menstruation.
There is no consensus among gynecologists on how many contraceptive packs can be amended, however some doctors indicate that it is common for breakthrough bleeding to occur from the 4th pack onwards. Furthermore, not all contraceptives can be changed, as there may be an increased risk of clotting problems.
Possible side effects
In general, there are no reported side effects related to the fact of changing the contraceptive packs, however it is possible to experience breakthrough bleeding, which corresponds to a small brown bleed. This is because due to the constant level of hormones, there is a decrease in the thickness of the endometrium, making it thinner and more sensitive, which can favor the occurrence of small bleeding. Learn more about breakthrough bleeding.
Furthermore, some women report that if they do not take a break from contraceptives, they feel more bloated and their breasts are more sore, in addition to the common symptoms of contraceptive use. Depending on the contraceptive pack amended, there may be a greater risk of clotting problems and high blood pressure. Therefore, it is important that the gynecologist is consulted before amending the packs and when signs and symptoms appear that may be related to the absence of a break.
When to amend the contraceptive pack
Not taking a break from contraceptives may be recommended by the gynecologist when a woman does not want to menstruate or wants to control PMS symptoms. As there is no variation in hormonal levels, there is no imbalance in neurotransmitters, preventing PMS symptoms. Furthermore, some studies indicate that continuous use of contraceptives reduces the long-term risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer.
Despite having some advantages, it is important that a gynecologist is consulted, because some contraceptives were developed so that there was a break between packs, in order to avoid constant levels of hormones, which could increase the risk of complications. Therefore, it is essential that the gynecologist is consulted so that the best contraceptive for this purpose can be indicated.
Why take a break from contraceptives?
Taking a break from the contraceptive pill must be respected to allow the uterus to cleanse, because, although the ovaries are not maturing eggs, the uterus continues to prepare, every month, for a possible pregnancy, becoming thicker due to the endometrium.
Thus, the bleeding that occurs during the break is not a true menstruation, as it does not contain any eggs, and only exists to allow the uterus to be cleaned and to imitate the woman’s natural cycle, making it easier to identify possible cases of pregnancy, when menstruation does not occur. go down, for example.
How to take a break correctly
The time taken between pills varies depending on the type of contraceptive pill you are taking. Like this:
- 21 day pills, such as Yasmim, Selene or Diane 35: the break is normally 7 days and, on those days, the woman should not take pills. The new pack must be started on the 8th day of the break;
- 24 day pills, such as Yaz or Mirelle: the break is 4 days without contraceptives, and the new pack must be started on the 5th day. Some packs have, in addition to the 24 pills, 4 pills of another color, which do not contain hormones and which act as a break. In these cases, the new pack must be started the day after the end of the pack and the last colored tablet.
- 28 day pills, like Cerazette: they do not need a break, as they are used continuously. There is no menstruation with this type of pill, but small bleeds may appear on any day of the month.
If you forget to take the first tablet of the new pack after the break, the ovaries can function normally again and mature an egg, which can increase the chances of getting pregnant, especially if you have had sexual intercourse without walking during the break period. Find out what to do if you forget to take your contraceptive.
In some cases, the break time may also vary according to the brand of pill and, therefore, it is very important to read the leaflet and clarify any doubts with the gynecologist, before starting to use contraceptive pills.
Bibliography
- COMMUNICATION SECRETARIAT OF THE FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF GOIÁS. Contraceptive: doubts and precautions. Available at: <https://secom.ufg.br/p/13270-anticoncepcional-duvidas-e-cuidados>. Accessed on June 17, 2021
- MACHADO, Rogério B.; MAGALHÃES, Jarbas; POMPEI, Luciano M.; FILHO, Hugo M. Combined oral contraceptives in an extended regimen. FEMALE. Vol 39. 10 ed; 471-477, 2011
- AMERICO, Camila F.; NOGUEIRA, Paula SF; VIEIRA, Rebeca PR et al. Knowledge of users of low-dose combined oral contraceptives about the method. Rev. Latino-Am. Nursing. 2013
