might be a bit of a complicated question but, when you take 7 day breaks on the pill how do you stay protected during those days? because say if i was to miss one while taking a pack that would make me unprotected, if that makes sense x

missing one pill doesn’t necessarily mean you’re unprotected, it depends where in the pack you missed it. it takes 7 days of pills for you to be protected, so if you miss a pill after 7 days you’re actually fine :) as for the 7 day break week, the hormones in the pills you’ve taken prior are still present in your body for 7 days. any longer than 7 days and there won’t be enough hormones in you to keep you protected, which is why it’s important to start your new pack on time. just know you can always shorten or skip your break, but don’t extend it.

@appoggiatura great thank you! bout time i knew why🙂

The pill’s main mechanism is suppressing ovulation. Basically, it shuts down your ovaries. As soon as you’ve taken seven consecutive pills, that’s done and they probably won’t wake up enough to release an egg if you take your break week. Basically, your break week is the window where the ovarian suppression is sufficient to prevent ovulation. However, Some research shows that around 2% of pill users ovulate after the break week (then the pill uses its “backup” mechanisms), while pretty much none ovulate if the break is shortened to 4 days (I’ll find the article and link it in a sec). This means that you theoretically can take a break anytime when you’ve taken 7 consecutive pills correctly, but this information can be really confusing, so pamphlets really give you the guidance on missed pills to keep it simple.

@DaDoo thank you so much ;)

@Mi356 no problem, here’s the article I’ve mentioned: {iEzdmKxMS} It’s really interesting and has changed some of my views in pill taking. It’s long but sure worth reading at least parts of it!

@DaDoo tysm x i really appreciate it!

^this {WFhx6KxnE} is also useful

If you skip breaks it makes it easier to stay protected as if you then miss a pill (or up to 7 in a row) it will just be counted as a ‘break week’ not a missed pill so your protection wouldn’t be effected