Taking combined pill with no break

[Ewheat]

Hi everyone! Has anyone ever tried taking the combined pill with no break? My periods were still really painful and disruptive and I’ve done a lot of research to say that there’s no evidence it can cause any damage. I’m just trialling it and am on a new pill but still getting a low level chronic pelvic pain- could this be because of the lack of a 7 day break? Or that my pill isn’t working to stop the pain?

[luthien]

Hey, I found that taking them back to back for 4 months helped my symptoms, at the time I didn't know I had endometriosis. It worked for a few years then the pain came back. My GP suggested the pill wasn't working as the symptoms were stronger than the pill could manage.

That may be the case with you so you may need to change your pill or go back to your specialist / GP to investigate what can be done about your pain.

The pill controls our hormones which can help things like endometriosis, fibroids, cysts and PCOS by reducing inflammation and swelling caused by them, hormones can also slow down growth. But ultimately they'll have less effect as the months / years go by, also some pain can be from other irritated organs / structures close by such as nerves and muscles which hormones cannot do anything to help.

You can either try different hormones, look at pain relief, or look into scans / surgery to investigate any issues / remove or treat the problem.

x

[Vervegirl92]

Hi Ewheat. I was diagnosed back in September and received the same advice. My specialist recommended a 1 week break in every 3 months. I mentioned I hadn't noticed a significant change in the pain I was getting and he advised me that the idea of the pill is to suppress ovulation which will in turn slow the growth of endometrial tissue so whilst it's not a cure it can help slow it down which will help prevent the pain getting worse 🙂

[Scottoe]

Yeah I’ve been taking the pill without a break for around 6 months, and will continue to take it without a break for as long as possible. My GP recommended this as that’s the new sexual health guidelines where I am. If you have any spotting you’re meant to stop the pill for 4 days then restart it again. I physically couldn’t cope with a period just now so continue to take pill without break. I know what you mean about the chronic pelvic pain. That was one of the reasons I went to gp for advice. Awaiting diagnostic laparoscopy so hoping for answers soon xx

[Nikilll]

What is your pill combination?

What did say Your last scan report?

Your current age now?

With out breaking is 63days?

Sexually inactive?

Currently I'm now continuously without break combination pill.

[Hajnal]

Hi, I was on the pill for years withouth break. For me it really helped, kept the cyst in bay till the surgeries. I had break sometimes, maybe every haf year but in 2 days the pain was back.

Now 2 years no medication after my last surgery, no pain, no pill, no painkillers, only ibuprofen on period,but bearable than ever. I dont know if the 3rd surgery worked so well or switching to plant based diet at the same time. I guess both but i believe the later helped to sustain. Before cyst was back in few months after surgery, this time no cyst. xx

[AnnaMae in reply to Hajnal]

What stage was your endo? Do you have kids?

[Hajnal in reply to AnnaMae]

Hi AnnaMae,

Stage 4. When I had my 2nd surgery they could not remove my 8cm cyst because they couldnt see my ovaries from the scartissues. Couldnt do MRI for better imaging because i had bone cancer in my teens and have a metal shoulder replacement. Anyways specialist team sorted out finally. I have adenomyosis too. Fallopian tubes blocked. No kids but started recently the IVF procedure. After last surgery the endo specialist told might need egg donor too because of the damage on my ovaries. It seems I have enough eggs but will see soon how the quality will be. Im hopeful, just got my first Prostap injection yesterday. Fingers crossed.

How are you doing? xx

[Lady1919]

Hello ! When I first started the combi I had similar symptoms i was told it was body getting used to not having the break.

I've been on it for 4 years now and i dont have this anymore, however I do at mot twice a year have a full flare up of my endometriosis, pain and period even when still taking the pill. The doctors just prescribe me cocadamol and strong ibuprofen. Hope this helps.

[Ewheat]

Thanks everyone this is really reassuring and helpful! I’m going to go back to my GP but will stick this out for another 3 months and see if it gets better. Fingers crossed!