Dr. Ramchandra Lamba
Psychiatry
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I have been on my birth control Yaz for 10 to 11 months. Last month, I went on a holiday which collapsed with my placebo pill days with period days. So I started the second pack skipping the placebo pills from the previous pack to skip the period. However, ever since I started the second pack, I have been having spotting and later with breakthrough bleeding.
So I decided to stop my second pack at the 11th pill to have my period (so together with the previous pill pack, I took 34 active pills before I stopped taking for a period). I took a four-day break as instructed from the pill pack instruction and started a new pack afterward as usual. It has been seven days from now in this new pack, and I had sex with my partner without extra contraception (condom), is it safe?
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
As you were on pill regularly so that ovulation did not occur possibly. This means you are safe most probably, but 100 % accuracy is not there. But for practical purposes, it is almost safe. Take a urine pregnancy test after two to three weeks, and that will confirm it.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
But for how I stopped taking the pills mid-way through the second pack (to have my period), is it safe or recommended to do so? I read the pill pack instruction, it did mention that if I want to have my period earlier during the second pill pack, I can take a break for maximum to four days (like how the pill pack is typically four placebo pill days), but I am not sure if I get the right idea or the proper understanding towards it.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Yes, it is correct. You can stop taking the pill at any time as you wish, and there is no problem with that. You get it correct, so do not worry.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
So, if I take the right amount of break days and start a new pack afterward as to how it usually should, it would not or should not affect the birth control in my body, right?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Yes, it is true that if you take it as you mentioned, it will prevent pregnancy. Whenever you want to have a pregnancy, then stop it. These are quite a safe pill and does not have long term effects on your body, i.e. your fertility return to normal. I hope this clarifies your concern.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
But I am not trying to stop my pills. I have stopped taking active pills to get a four-day break to release my withdrawal blood, and right after the fourth-day break, I will start on with another pack of birth control pill. So it is still the correct steps or ways to do?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
As you have taken a new pill for consecutive seven days and then had unprotected sex, so this will keep you safe from pregnancy. If the duration of taking effective medicine is less than seven days, then it may be not useful. You have correctly started a new pill after four days gap. You can continue this as it will protect you from unwanted pregnancy. It is right to start a new pill after a gap of four days regardless that you had withdrawal bleeding or not. So you have it correctly.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
I had unprotected sex on my sixth pill day, but before that, I have been on pills regularly and only took a four-day break. Would it affect? But generally, if I continuously take pills, and have four placebo pill day and start the next pill pack, I am still protected on my sixth pill day. So why this time it might not be effective?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
You are right. I was mentioned that if the gap is more and you start a new pill, then at least seven days should be passed so that you are protected adequately. This was for general information and not necessarily for the woman who took the pill regularly and started a new pack after a gap of four days. But in your case you were on pills prior and had only four days gap, so you are protected.
And that is why I mentioned that you are protected and do not worry excessively. For general information, if a woman misses two or more pill other than that four days, then the efficacy is in doubt. And in that situation, one needs to start a new pill and wait for seven days to be protected adequately. The efficacy of these pills is 91 percent, and with regards to your concern, you are protected by this figure of 91 percent. As of now, you need to relax and do not worry. You can do a urine pregnancy test after two or three weeks to be sure.
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Psychiatry
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