Im 18, and i have a boyfriend who I’ve been with for a few months now, who I can see myself spending the rest of my life with. I’m a virgin, and so is he, but me and him have done other things.. we’re wanting to try further, but I felt it was best I get on contraception due to this incase anything occurs. I have been taking it since the 15th of July so nearly 21 days I have 1 more pill in my pack. I got this app to help remind me since This is my first time on contraception, I’m using microgynon 30 which my doctor told me to take a 7 day break after 21 days. But my question is, when do I start taking it again to ensure I’m protected? Because I’m going my boyfriends Tuesday, and I’m at his for a month. But I really want to have a period to clear myself, but also stay protected. Is it okay to only take a 5 day break instead of 7 to be extra sure I’m not late, I’m worried I won’t take it on the correct day.

Hi as you have only been taking your contraceptive for less than one month you should follow the instructions exactly. Take your next pack of pills with you when you are away so you don’t miss any. I’m assuming you have at least a 3 month supply to start with right?

@Marj_066 I’m defiantly taking them, I just think during this month we may try something and I wanna make sure I take it on the right exact day. If I started on the 15th of last month, and I have 1 more pill left for tomorrow, when do I begin taking it again? And yes I have 3 packs, I’ve just about finished my first one

Can you not use the charts on this app? They tell you when to take your next dose.

You have how many pills in your pack?

You start the new pack on the 8th day after you take your last active pill. You should have 7 days with no active pills, then start the new pack.

On your instructions, you take 21 active pills (contain the hormones) followed by 7 sugar pills.

@Marj_066 My doctor just gave me the microgynon 30 pills and said I have 21 pills in each pack and I should take it for 21 days, and then take a 7 day break which I should bleed on, and then take it on the 7th day even if bleeding still. But I just wanted to be sure if it was the exact 7th day or if it was the day after

I was typing and it disappeared!

Ok, day one = Mon 15th July. Day 21 = Sun 4th Aug Day 28 = Sun 11th Aug. Take your new pack on Mon 12th Aug. (Which is my son’s birthday)!

Don’t worry if your still bleeding when you take your new pack of pills, the bleeding will go.

If you have any questions you can chat with any pharmacist at any chemist, they will be happy to help you.

@Marj_066 thanks so much! So I take it the morning of the 11th, which is the morning of the 7th day

@Marj_066 happy birthday to your son :)

@Elllz No you take it on the morning of the 12th, the 8th day, which leaves 7 full days pill free.

@Marj_066 okay thank you so much!

Updated recommendations are to take shorter breaks (or skip completely) so you can take a 5 day break, it means there’s less chance of user error causing you to be unprotected - incase you miss any pills in the first 7 days after the break. You’d start on the 10th instead. {86GsG8Nb4} (simplified version of this NHS page {Y6GsG8N3e} )

@Awg1 am I able to start on The 10th? Or is it best I start on the 12th

@Elllz you could start either but it’s recommended to shorten the breaks so the 10th would be best.

@Yi_eune even if it’s my first break ever because I only started the pill 21 days ago, so it’s my first one. Is it still okay then to shorten it

Yes it’s always ok to shorten or skip breaks, just never extend them. I recommend reading the NHS page to understand the ins and outs of taking the pill {Ts0LO8NBW}

Just to add on this thread ladies, that @elllz this is their first pack of the contraceptive pill, never taken it before. It takes 3 months for one’s body to adjust fully into one’s body. Messing with shortening break weeks this early on is really not advisable. It’s best to do so once you’ve been taking it a few months longer. The contraceptive pill has a 19% fail rate as listed on this very app. Please be careful what you advise on you are not trained professionals, only people taking contraceptives.

@Marj_066 what does the failure rate at typical use have to do with shortening break weeks?

@Marj_066 this app runs on very outdated information, so you shouldn’t just blindly trust that. As far as I am aware this app was not made by trained professionals either so with that logic it shouldn’t be something you source back to. I know you used to be a contraceptive nurse but that doesn’t make you better than some of the users on here that have been helping people out with questions or education for multiple years and have always used credible sources such as the NHS.

@marj_066 The article I shared is published by the National Health Service in the UK so it’s reputable, it’s written by John Guillebaud, who’s is a very well respected family planning doctor & professor, he has been involved in writing guidance for GPs and Nurses