Phew! Taking the pill and the pill break requires a lot of discipline. One pill every day for 21 days, preferably at the same time and don't forget a pill...
Aiaiai! After about three weeks of continuous hormone intake, we can happily “treat ourselves” to a break from the pill. But what is that actually?
Here we explain everything you need to know!
Summary
After taking the pill, there is a pill break before you continue taking it.
The bleeding that occurs during the pill break is not a real period.
You can shorten the pill break.
Table of contents
Contents
1. The pill break is not a period
The most important thing first! Because what many people don't know is that the bleeding during the pill break is not a real period!
Yep, you read that right. It's more of a withdrawal bleed. It's usually (haha) lighter and associated with less hormonal chaos. In contrast to a real period, the pill builds up less uterine lining, which then doesn't need to be shed.
During the break, the period is actually only “imitated” – some claim that this makes the contraceptive method easier to sell…
Did you know that the pill break lasts seven days because it imitates the natural cycle of 28 days?
Average values were used as the basis for the 28-day cycle of the pill. But we know that not every woman is average. That's why we can understand only too well if you want to shorten or postpone the break.
Before you change your dosage, please always talk to your doctor.
2. Shorten the pill break
The end of your pill-taking is approaching and you already know that your withdrawal bleeding will come at the most inconvenient time. Damn! We know that all too well. So if you've always wondered how long a pill break should generally be, then we have some great news for you:
From a medical point of view, shortening the break by one or more days is absolutely no problem. If your period ever comes at a really inconvenient time, you can even shorten the break so much that you can start the next blister pack straight after .
This is especially useful if you accidentally forgot to take a pill in the third week of taking it.
3. Extend the pill break
But what if you don't feel like taking the pill right now and just want to give yourself a little break from the hormones?
Can the pill break be extended or brought forward?
The basic rule is: The pill-free period should NEVER last longer than seven days. This is because the lack of hormones reduces protection against unwanted pregnancies. If you want to have a longer pill break, you should use an additional contraceptive from the eighth day onwards.
Likewise, it is not recommended to bring it forward and if you do, you should have taken at least 14 pills correctly to ensure a safe break.
No matter how long: you can keep your bleeding under control with our organic tampons subscription.
4. Sex during the pill break
Seven days without taking the pill, can you get pregnant? No.
But only if you stick to these seven days at most.
If a woman takes a longer break from the pill, she can actually become pregnant.
During the 21-day intake period, the female body is tricked into thinking it is pregnant. This means that no egg can mature and fertilization is not possible.
As soon as the break begins, hormone withdrawal bleeding begins and pregnancy is ruled out in most cases.
In plain language, this means that protection remains the same even during the pill-free period if the pill break is not extended.
5. Getting pregnant while taking the pill
No. Provided you have taken everything correctly beforehand, the pill will remain protective (of course there is always a residual risk).
The break does cause the hormone level to drop and an egg cell can mature to a certain extent.
But the seven days are far from enough for ovulation to occur.
Your period is coming and you can't really use it? Chill.
Because with our organic tampons , organic pads and menstrual cups, your period isn't so bad after all.
We make your days your super days! Take a closer look at our practical delivery service! (You can pause at any time 😉)
