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Read information about the benefits, drawbacks and how to take the pill in an extended way by clicking on the sections below.

  • Fewer or no monthly bleeds
  • Less side effects (period pain, bloating, headaches, PMT)
  • Avoids bleeding on special occasions (eg holidays)
  • Less need for tampons/ sanitary towels
  • You might sometimes get irregular light bleeding or spotting
  • Some people prefer having a monthly bleed

Method What to take Pill-free break
Extended use Three packs of pills taken back to back (tri-cycling) 4-7 days off after finishing the 3rd pack then re-start. You are still protected from pregnancy during this 4-7 days
Continuous use with shortened pill-free interval Pills taken continuously for at least 21 days until bleeding or spotting occurs for 3–4 days in a row four days off then re-start (even if you are still bleeding). You are still protected from pregnancy during these four days

You can miss up to seven pills and still be protected against pregnancy, even if you had sex in that week (as long as you’ve taken at least seven pills correctly beforehand).

If you have missed up to seven pills:

  • Restart your pills straight away.
  • No need for emergency contraception. No need to use extra protection (eg condoms).
  • Continue with the next strip without any more breaks in pill taking.
  • You should then restart the pill and use condoms or avoid having sex for seven days.
  • Do a pregnancy test after three weeks.

If you miss seven or more pills: you might need to discuss emergency contraception. Please contact or attend the clinic.

  • No extra precautions needed unless this lasts for seven days.
  • If it lasts seven days, contact or attend your surgery /clinic as you might need emergency contraception.
  • Continue pill-taking.
Contraception Choices

There are many types of contraception available and none are perfect. The Contraception Choices website provides honest information to help weigh up the pros and cons.

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