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Taking ‘the pill’: A different approach to make it work best for you
A bit of background…
When the combined pill was first introduced in the 1950s, it was designed to copy a natural menstrual cycle. That’s why the standard way to take it is 21 days on the pill, then a 7-day break. During the break, you get a bleed that looks like a period—but it’s actually a withdrawal bleed caused by the drop in hormones.
Since then, we’ve learned a lot more about the pill, and there are other ways to take it that can make life easier.
- Fewer breaks can make the pill more effective.
- Many people have less headaches, bloating, and period pain when they skip breaks.
- You can avoid monthly bleeds if you want to.
When you take the pill continuously, the womb lining stays thin, so blood doesn’t build up inside.
Your fertility returns quickly after stopping the pill, even if you haven’t had a bleed for a long time.
Some people prefer monthly breaks, and that’s totally fine.
If you skip breaks, you might get some irregular bleeding. If that happens, you can take a short break (usually 4 days) to reset things.
These options only apply to combined hormonal contraception (pill, patch, ring).
The progestogen-only pill must always be taken without breaks.
- Shortened break:
Pill for 3 weeks → 4-day break
Patch for 3 weeks → 4-day break
Ring for 3 weeks → remove for 4 days - Bi/Tricycling:
Use pill, patch, or ring for 2–3 months → 4-day break - Flexible extended use:
Keep going until you get breakthrough bleeding for 3–4 days → then take a 4-day break
Remember:
- Change the patch weekly
- Change the ring every 21 days