birth control pill and period

[youngamy]

I started taking birthcontrol pills about three weeks ago to skip the menstrual period this month.
I started the last day of my period. I have never taken birth control pills before. I am taking Camilla (progestrone only, I beleive). I never missed a pill, although on the 21st day I took it about 5 hours later than the time I was supposed to take it. There were some light spottings for about three days (i.e., from 18th to 20th days). then on the same 21st day since I have taken the pill, even before starting the next pack (to skip the period this month, I am suppoed to take the active pills back to back, right?), my period started, which is earler than my usual due. This is a full blown heavy flow (I usually have heavy flow and my period usualy last for 7 days). So I think I failed in manipulating my period.

Should I continue to the next pack? Would that help lighten the flow or shorten the period? I don't need birth control.

[Keith Downing, MD]

Hello Youngamy,

Elleithy is right on.  If you want to avoid having a montly period by taking the pill continuously you need to use combined hormonal contraception (i.e., containing both estrogen and progesterone).  This can be done with the pill, the nuvaring, or the patch.  Talk to your ob/gyn about this.  There are many, many options available to you.

Best regards,

Dr. Downing

[elleithy]

Hi youngamy,
Usallly progestrone only pills doesn't affect the peiod, it will come. you should have used a compined pills(estrogen + progestrone) ex: Yasmin, gynera ..... and you don't stop using the pills but you continue using untill you want ( maximum 3 continuse monthes). and regarding continue using the pills you could continue using it as it may shorten your period to 5 days.