Give us a break
Question
My girlfriend and I have always been really careful when we have sex. She's on the pill and we always use a condom too. Recently, she ran one pack of pills into another because her doctor told her it was all right to do so every once in a while.
Everything seemed OK but during her next break she didn't get a period. She kept waiting and then decided she better start taking the next pack (about nine days after she'd finished the last one). Is she still protected now?
Answer
Certain combined contraceptive pills can be taken in a way where two packets are run back to back, this usually results in delaying periods. It's perfectly fine for a woman to do this occasionally, with her doctor's advice. Your girlfriend should always discuss her plans with the service that supplies her pill if she intends to use it differently than set out in the instructions.
If your girlfriend didn't start the next pack as instructed and left a break of nine days it would be a good idea for her to chat to someone who is medically trained about how she should proceed with her pill. In the meantime, if there is any sexual contact, a condom should be used. It is very important that the pill is taken according to instructions, because deviating from them can put someone at risk of ovulation, and therefore pregnancy.
If your girlfriend thinks she might be pregnant, she can get a urine test done to find out for sure. She can get a free test at your nearest Brook Centre, a local family planning clinic and at some doctor's (GPs) surgeries. She will also be able to talk through how she feels and what her options are at a Brook or family planning clinic. She can do this in confidence and no one will be told about her visit unless she wants them to be.
If your girlfriend would like further information about her situation, she can speak to a nurse via the fpa on 0845 310 1334, or NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. Alternatively, she can get medical advice from a doctor at her local Brook Centre, a family planning clinic or from her GP.
Updated: 20/07/2007
Question answered by YouthNet in association with Brook
