Some women want to postpone their menstruation – for example, because the summer vacation is just around the corner. By taking the pill, it is possible to bring forward or postpone the time of menstruation. In general, it is better for the body to postpone menstruation. Depending on what kind of pill you are taking, it is best to consult your doctor about the exact procedure.
Taking the pill all the way through – what do I need to be aware of?
The easiest way to postpone your period is with a combination pill. If you want to postpone menstruation, simply start a new pill blister directly after the end of the first one. Continue taking the pill for as long as you want to delay your period. Then take the usual seven-day break and continue taking the pill as usual.
If you want to bring your period forward, you can stop taking the pill before the usual 21 days. However, the pill must be taken for at least 14 days to ensure protection against conception. After stopping, take the usual break and continue taking the morning-after pill as usual.
If you want to change the day of the week when your period starts, you can move your days forward. To do this, stop taking the pill a few days before the end of the blister pack. Alternatively, it is also possible to shorten the seven-day break between doses. An extension of the intake break, on the other hand, is not possible under any circumstances.
Discontinuing the pill
Some women want to stop taking the contraceptive pill – for example, because they do not tolerate the pill well, do not have a steady partner at the moment or want to have a child. It is usually possible to stop taking the pill without any problems at the end of a blister pack. If health reasons have led you to take the pill, you should consult your gynecologist before stopping.
For some women, stopping the pill is associated with side effects: For example, there may be a deterioration in the appearance of the skin as well as hair loss. In addition, menstrual bleeding often becomes heavier and more painful.
After stopping the pill, it can take two to three months before the natural cycle resumes and pregnancy is possible. This is because the body first has to get used to the hormonal change. In individual cases – for example, if you have been taking the birth control pill for a very long time – the period may be longer.
The pill and antibiotics
Certain medications such as antibiotics or substances that affect the brain (including antidepressants) can reduce the effectiveness of the pill. In such a case, you should resort to other contraceptives to safely prevent pregnancy.
If diarrhea or vomiting occur within three to four hours of taking the pill, protection against conception is also no longer guaranteed. This is the time the body needs to fully absorb the active ingredients of the pill. In such cases, you should take a second pill from a reserve pack within twelve hours of the usual intake time. If this does not happen, the pill is considered not to have been taken and appropriate action must be taken (see: Forgotten pill).
For more information on which other medications besides antibiotics may interact with the pill, see the package insert. If you are unsure whether or not a particular medication is compatible with the birth control pill, you should consult your gynecologist.
