Combined Pill 7 day break

[Tangoandmax]

Hi all,

Just looking for a little advice.

I’ve been taking the combined pill (Mercilon) back to back for three months and on Monday stopped taking for my scheduled 7 day break. I’m yet to see any significant ‘period’ type bleed, just not sure why?

Ive previously tried progesterone only and it didn’t end well for me so I’ve agreed to give combined a go, to basically just try anything to improve symptoms. Im bleeding daily - very lightly whilst taking this pill (this has unfortunately been normal for me since reintroducing hormonal contraceptives) but I expected a significant ‘period’ type bleed on the break (which previously occurred with desogestrel and Microgynon) but I’m still just seeing the same light bleeding I normally have. Is this normal to not have the faux period? Is it worth a check in with my doctor or should I just be relieved to be not losing any more blood. So hard to know if I’m overthinking after all I’ve been through getting a provisional diagnosis.

Thanks!

[Salamander88]

This article might help - most likely normal/maybe just due to the lining already being thin, esp. as you've had that ongoing bleeding, but perhaps also worth a test if there's any chance you could be pregnant flo.health/menstrual-cycle/...

[Tangoandmax in reply to Salamander88]

Thank you for sharing! I’ll have a read. Absolutely zero chance of pregnancy.

[MazCons]

I’ve been doing back since my third operation in 2008. My flow has always fluctuated since doing it, though I do have more of a significant period than just spotting but it is sometimes lighter, sometimes heavier. I’ve also noticed that it takes longer to actually come on but think that’s due to age (am 43 now and this period took five days to start which is the longest I’ve waited). Sometimes I take a break sooner than three packs (which I do when the pains get bad during the packs and I feel I need a period to release the pain) then the flow is usually heavier - ie I’ve noticed it’s heavier if I don’t wait for the full three packs.

Just to add in case useful, I recently had loads of tests to check how my endo was doing as I’d been in a lot of pain and the gynae noted that doing the back to back has really helped keep the endo from going wild again. My endo was stage 4 as it had got to my bowels and kidney etc so it’s good to know back to back has helped stall it somewhat. Which I hope it does for you too. Though no harm in you checking in with your GP to confirm and put your mind at ease. Ps I’m on Yasmin for reference.

[Tangoandmax in reply to MazCons]

Hi, thank you so much for sharing. They’ve advised me to take something to ensure I’m not ovulating. I’m hoping that will put a stall on any progression (it’s good to hear that has been the case for you - gives me hope). I’m not having flare ups which is great, but I’m still getting daily pain and constant bloating but I’m fairly certain that’s due to the existing extensive adhesions. The ‘period’ pain has kicked in horrendously today, and bleeding has increased slightly, not to the extent of previous breaks but that’s good, means I won’t have to use the Tranexamic acid!

[MazCons in reply to Tangoandmax]

Glad to hear you have seen a bit more! Sometimes that makes me feel better when I am worrying that the flow it too light. I take peppermint capsules for bloating which I’ve noticed really help me. I take pure form from H&B. I have IBS and can’t tell if my bloating is endo belly or IBS but it works and as its natural may be worth a shot as I’ve suffered with bloating all my life and this has been the only thing I’ve noticed helps.

[Diciembr]

Hey,

So I’ve been on Mercilon for a year and I was taking it back to back for 3 months, then a break, it started well with me but after a few months my discomfort started again, so I decided to see my doctor again. I had a scan and she saw there was some blood that had not been released from my body. My doctor put me on norethisterone and I had to be off the pill for a bit. I’m back on Mercilon and we’ve gone back to taking one pack at an time and having a break to avoid keeping the blood in for long, and so far it’s not too bad, but I bleed very little, 1 or 2 days and not much at all, but I have period symptoms for a week or so.

I think it’s always worth giving the doctor a visit if you’re unsure of how your body is behaving. All the best 😊

[Tangoandmax in reply to Diciembr]

Thank you for sharing! Period pain has well and truly kicked in today (typical) bleeding has slightly increased but nothing compared to previous which is good, as I usually have to take Tranexamic acid as I have iron issues due to constant bleeding. Mercilon has been the best so far for me but I will check in with the doctor just to make sure everything is normal, I’m still getting pain daily/light bleeding. 😞