Can you stop taking the pill midway through the second pack?

[Elephantdog]

I have been on my COCP for several years & have backed my packets up for the first time in a while - I have been experiencing spotting for the last week & unsure as to why - could anyone help? Also if I were to stop taking my pill now (been taking for4.5 weeks now) would I still be protected against pregnancy?

[Just_Browsing_81]

That will be fine as you have been taking the pills for over 21 days. I'm about to do the same thing as been taking pills back to back and giving me stomach ache, thankfully no spotting though.

[Galen70]

Unsure what you mean about stopping pills and being protected from pregnancy. If you are cycling pills ( running packs together ) the advice is if you have spotting etc to stop pills for 4 days then restart . You should have a bleed at least once every 3 months. If you stop pills completely, after 7 days you would not be protected against pregnancy.

sexwise.org.uk/contraceptio...