contraceptive pill

[smolpigeon]

Hi, I'm about to start taking contraceptive pills to regulate my periods and I'm feeling a bit anxious because i don't know what to expect. A bit of background is that i experience dysphoria and get quite suicidal when I'm on my periods so i want to stop them altogether, though for now my gp said the best option is to take the contraceptive pill for 3 months straight and just stop for 7 days every 3months to get my period in those days and then start taking the pill again on day 8.

But i was wondering what should i do if i somehow dont get my period in those 7 days? do i still start taking the pill again on day 8, or do i wait till i get my period then start taking it again after? or is this just a really unlikely scenario?

also ive had my period for a month now which is why i finally decided to ask my gp about this, so i was wondering after how many days of taking the pill should i expect the bleeding to lessen/stop?

also how likely are side effects and how long could they last? like vomiting and diarrhoea? because that really doesnt sound pleasant.

i hope someone who has experience with the pill or is just knowledgeable in this area can answer these questions so that i can be less anxious about this,

and if youre reading this i hope you have a lovely day

[wobblybee Administrator Pioneer]

🙂Not everyone will experience exactly the same symptoms, so it’s possible you may just need to see how it goes for you.

The best person to give advice about this is your GP….your GP knows you best and is familiar with any other of your medication/diagnosis that may affect general symptoms.

[toastkid]

Just make sure you take the pill according to the packet and you'll be fine - though really if you don't want a period you CAN skip the break days (the NHS now are recommending this [1], [2]) * OR go onto a progesterone only pill, which usually completely stops periods and you take that every day with no breaks.

(*fun fact: break days were introduced to make the Catholic Church happy [3]!)

But if your packet says you take three weeks and then have a seven day break where you should have a period and you want to take it so this happens, you don't have to wait until you get your period. Some people have a predictable delay, some people don't.

One thing I will say, though, is don't expect regulation right away - most people need at least three months to start seeing any regulatory effects.

[1] harrowhealthcare.co.uk/nhs-...

[2] independent.co.uk/news/heal...

[3] helloeve.co.uk/advice-artic....