Can you take the birth control pill every day for 5 weeks then have a week of not taking it instead of every 4 weeks without having more of a chance of getting pregnant?

Answer 1

This is the concept behind the 3-month packs, such as the seasonale brand. With them, you take active pills for 11 weeks, then inactive/sugar pills for a week, so you only have 4 periods per year. Keep in mind, though, they DO use different medications to do so.

In theory, extending your cycle a week shouldn't make the pill any less effective. This is especially helpful if, for example, you are going on vacation on the week you expect your period. You can take an extra week of active pills, and delay your period for a week, then go back to sugar pills when you return, and have your regular period.

There are some problems, though:

1.) Extending the time between periods may increase the chance that you will have spotting between your periods.

2.) You will still need to take 3 weeks of active pills during the next cycle, however your pack will be short several pills. If your health insurance covers your Birth Control pills, you may have to purchase a pack without coverage, since many insurance companies won't dispense 28-day packs less than 23 days apart (or whatever number your insurance company sets).

3.) If you fail to take at least 3 weeks of pills between periods, you can really mess up your cycles, and end up with your pill being ineffective, so if you do decide to extend your cycle, do so with great caution and organization! It's not worth extending your cycle, if you take the pills wrong, and the pill fails.