topic Taking Birth Control to Delay Period? in Wellness

Taking Birth Control to Delay Period?

vettegirl_2 — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 13:04:54 GMT

Sorry if this is TMI- just wondering if anyone who normally does not take birth control has ever taken it to delay their period so they do not have to worry about it on vacation. I am going on vacation next month and am supposed to have it at that time. When should I start taking the pills? I went to the doctor in July and I thought she said something about 10 days? Can't remember if it is 10 days in cycle or 10 days before I expect to get my period. Anyone know??

Re: Taking Birth Control to Delay Period?

ical — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 13:07:28 GMT

OMG. When little Jill or little Joe is born because of some misinformation given on this thread….

Re: Taking Birth Control to Delay Period?

I am still oxox — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 13:14:01 GMT

Call your MD's office any info give here might not be all that factual

Re: Taking Birth Control to Delay Period?

inallsincerity — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 13:28:28 GMT

On 10/13/2014 ical said:
OMG. When little Jill or little Joe is born because of some misinformation given on this thread….

Unless I misunderstood ical, she doesn't intend to use it to prevent pregnancy, just to delay her period. It isn't clear that she is necessarily sexually active...

Re: Taking Birth Control to Delay Period?

Judaline — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 13:28:59 GMT

I remember many moons ago, we were going to Acapulco, getting a free trip, and I was due for my period that week. My GFs told me there is something you can take to delay it. I went to my gyn and he gave it to me. Pill or shot, can't remember, but it worked. But wait! Years later I asked for the same thing. He gave me a definite NO. I never did find out why?

Re: Taking Birth Control to Delay Period?

ical — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 13:41:29 GMT

Re: Taking Birth Control to Delay Period?

NC Bandwagon — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 13:44:02 GMT

Hello, vettegirl.

You might want to talk to your doctor about this one. here. There's a good chance that all you'll get here is snark and insults.

Re: Taking Birth Control to Delay Period?

adelle38 — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 13:44:47 GMT

You need to discuss this thoroughly with your doctor including if it's worth the risk just to prevent an inconvenience on your vacation. If you've never taken them before, there can be unexpected side effects worse than having period.

Re: Taking Birth Control to Delay Period?

birkin baby — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 14:07:49 GMT

I am familiar with people doing this. But you have to be safe and call your doctor who prescribed this regimen to you.The nurse probably can get the info from the doc and call you back. If you had an appt and the pills were prescribed for you specifically for this purpose(yes, people do it often)etc it will be a simple phone call. I used to take them and only have a period a few times per year.So did my bosses daughters. She is a gynecologist/ fertility/menopause specialist. This is an easy fix.Tell nurse you forgot when to start the pills.

Re: Taking Birth Control to Delay Period?

goodstuff — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 16:56:18 GMT

OK, this takes the cake. Some people really don't do a lot of rational thinking about who they should ask about what, do they? Ask your doctor, dear. Your doctor........not an internet chat board.

People here know nothing about your health or medical history, what kind of birth control pills you are taking.........and few if any of us are trained to answer this question. Ye gads.

Re: Taking Birth Control to Delay Period?

My3girls_1 — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 18:39:31 GMT

I dont see anything wrong with asking others about their experiences! I agree about asking the doc too for sure. I have taken the pill to delay, but usually have to start way before a month prior. It takes the body time to adjust and sometimes just starting the pill causes break through bleeding which can last for weeks. At least this has been the case for me and I've done this several times. The best time to do it is after having been on the pill for a while and then you can just keep taking the active ones and skip the inactive ones for the month. I hope this helps! But definitely please get with your doc as for the best time to start! Enjoy your vacay!

Re: Taking Birth Control to Delay Period?

ChynnaBlue — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 19:25:02 GMT

I've done it. I talked to my doctor about the timing and would recommend you do the same. One of the possible side effects of starting the pill is spotting, so take that into consideration, too.

You can either do it by starting the pills and starting a new pack 3 weeks in instead of taking the placebo pills the 4th week OR you can start the pills months in advance and then take the placebo pills early, thus having your period earlier than expected. Since you did not start taking them in July, sounds like you'll need to go the other route, but you'll need to work with a doctor and a pharmacist to make sure you have second month on hand.

You don't want to do this on a regular basis or it confuses your system, but there's nothing wrong with doing it occasionally. Some pills are even designed so that you only have a period once a quarter.

Re: Taking Birth Control to Delay Period?

VaBelle35 — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 19:28:47 GMT

The pharmacist can also walk you through it. Back in the day, before tri-phasals, this worked very well. I don't know if it works as well (or better or worse) with tri-phasals.

Basically, if you are on a 28 day pack, you don't take the sugar pills, you just start day one of the next pack the day you finish the active pills in your current pack.

Re: Taking Birth Control to Delay Period?

Sooner — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 19:42:04 GMT

It's a good question, and it's a common practice but DO consult your doctor! Good luck wiht it!

Re: Taking Birth Control to Delay Period?

Clover29 — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 20:37:01 GMT

I tried it once, with my doctor's knowledge and consent, and it totally didn't work for me. I was taking the Pill anyway, so I just didn't stop for that month, and I got my period just like normal. My doctor said yes, that can happen, nothing to worry about, obviously this is something that doesn't necessarily work for everyone.

Back in 1980, I spent a year in Beijing as a student. One of the other students out there in our group was a nurse, and she took 12 months worth of Pills, straight, rather than have the inconvenience of "all that" with a foreign plumbing system. I thought it sounded very wild and radical, but my doctor said she'd have been fine.

That's just a couple of anecdotes from my own experience, not intended as actual medical advice of any kind.

Re: Taking Birth Control to Delay Period?

Lipstickdiva — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 20:39:00 GMT

I did it once way back when and I remember thinking I would never do it again. It messed up my system.

Consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Re: Taking Birth Control to Delay Period?

terrier3 — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 21:32:48 GMT

I have a blood clotting disorder and had very heavy menstrual bleeding.

My doctor had me take three months of pills straight - no placebos. I had slight break through bleeding the first month (for less than a day).

People do this all the time for different reasons - vacations, weddings, lots of reasons.

Just call your doctor's office. I remember that I needed a note from her (or some kind of permission) to get the pill packs early.

Re: Taking Birth Control to Delay Period?

beach-mom — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 21:45:51 GMT

I have done this many times in the past, but I agree with the others:

CALL YOUR DOCTOR'S OFFICE and explain the situation!!!

Re: Taking Birth Control to Delay Period?

tashy — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 21:51:10 GMT

I have done this with no problems,just skip the period pills and go straight to the next pack on that Sun, I do this for two months in a row then have a period. I have been on birth control pills for 25 yrs never had a problem. If you are still a little nervous wear a panty liner and carry a pad just in case. good luck

Re: Taking Birth Control to Delay Period?

terrier3 — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 21:54:07 GMT

On 10/13/2014 adelle38 said:
You need to discuss this thoroughly with your doctor including if it's worth the risk just to prevent an inconvenience on your vacation. If you've never taken them before, there can be unexpected side effects worse than having period.

There are no risks associated with doing this.

I did it myself (my MD suggested it) and worked at PP where it was done often.

If you have enough time - some women choose to have their period EARLY and then proceed to take the 3 weeks of hormones as usual. Your MD can help you with that too.