Can i take dianette back to back

Back to Your contraception guide. The combined oral contraceptive pill is often just called "the pill". It contains artificial versions of female hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which are produced naturally in the ovaries. If sperm reaches an egg ovum , pregnancy can happen. Contraception tries to stop this happening usually by keeping the egg and sperm apart or by stopping the release of an egg ovulation. The pill prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg each month ovulation.

It also:. This is the most common type. Each pill has the same amount of hormone in it. One pill is taken each day for 21 days and then no pills are taken for the next 7 days. Microgynon, Marvelon and Yasmin are examples of this type of pill. Phasic pills contain 2 or 3 sections of different coloured pills in a pack. Each section contains a different amount of hormones. Phasic pills need to be taken in the right order. Logynon is an example of this type of pill. There are 21 active pills and 7 inactive dummy pills in a pack.

The two types of pill look different. One pill is taken each day for 28 days with no break between packets of pills. Every day pills need to be taken in the right order. Microgynon ED is an example of this type of pill. Follow the instructions that come with your packet.

If you have any questions, ask a doctor, nurse or pharmacist. It's important to take the pills as instructed, because missing pills or taking them at the same time as certain medicines may make them less effective.

You can also take the combined pill as a tailored regime. This may include taking the pill for 21 days and stopping for 4, or taking the pill continuously without a break. For more information speak to a doctor or nurse. You can normally start taking the pill at any point in your menstrual cycle.

There is special guidance if you have just had a baby, abortion or miscarriage. The guidance may also be different if you have a short menstrual cycle. Get advice from a doctor or nurse if you need it. You may need to use additional contraception during your 1st days on the pill — this depends on when in your menstrual cycle you start taking it.

If you start the combined pill on the 1st day of your period day 1 of your menstrual cycle you will be protected from pregnancy straight away. You will not need additional contraception. If you start the pill on the 5th day of your period or before, you will still be protected from pregnancy straight away.

You will not be protected from pregnancy straight away and will need additional contraception until you have taken the pill for 7 days. If you start the pill after the 5th day of your cycle, make sure you have not put yourself at risk of pregnancy since your last period.

If you're worried you're pregnant when you start the pill, take a pregnancy test 3 weeks after the last time you had unprotected sex. If you miss a pill or pills, or you start a pack late, this can make the pill less effective at preventing pregnancy. The chance of getting pregnant after missing a pill or pills depends on:. Find out what to do if you miss a combined pill. By clicking submit you agree to our privacy policy and terms and conditions. Click and collect in as little as 60 mins Choose collection at checkout and you can usually collect your treatment in as little as 1 hour from your local LloydsPharmacy.

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On this page. By Dr Mitra Dutt. When can I use the contraceptive pill to delay my period? How can I delay my period if I am not already taking the combined contraceptive pill? Looking for period delay treatment? Use our online service. What our patients say Trustpilot.

Regulated and certified. Sign up to our newsletter. All rights reserved. A person may start their period and then have it again 2 weeks later. For a person with irregular periods , the best time to start taking the pill may be whenever they are ready to begin regulating their periods. A person can usually start the minipill at any time during their cycle. The minipill typically protects against pregnancy within 48 hours of starting it.

However, people who do not start taking the minipill during their period should use another form of contraception for at least the first 2 days. It might be wise to use other contraceptive measures for a full cycle. For maximum effectiveness, it is crucial to take the minipill during the same 3-hour window each day.

A person should choose a time of day that is convenient and easy to remember. While there are no clear health benefits to starting midcycle, some people may find it convenient to begin taking their birth control pills as soon as they get them.

However, starting the pill midcycle means that a person will not be protected from pregnancy immediately. Anyone who chooses to start the pill outside the first 5 days of their menstrual cycle should use a backup method of contraception, such as condoms, for at least:. Another potential risk of starting the pill midcycle is that a woman may already be pregnant.

However, a large Danish study suggests that taking birth control pills during early pregnancy will not harm the fetus. In some people, this may cause spotting or irregular bleeding. It may take a few months after starting the pill midcycle for more regular periods to return.

The possible side effects of birth control pills are the same regardless of when the person starts taking them and include:.

Typically, these symptoms will subside within 3 months of taking the pill. However, if a person continues to experience bothersome side effects after this time, they may wish to talk to their doctor about switching to another type of birth control pill.

Deciding when to start taking birth control pills is largely down to personal preference and the type of pill. A person who starts the pill during the first 5 days of the start of their period should have immediate protection against pregnancy. Anyone who chooses to start the pill midcycle should use backup contraception for at least 7 days if using the combined pill and at least 2 days if using the minipill.