Taking "breaks" From Birth Control Posted: 06-02-07 15:42pm
Hi, I would really appreciate any
information regarding possible side
effects or safety concerns that may occur
with taking a "break" from birth control.
Here's my situation: I have been on the
pill for a little over 3 years now without
any problems. My fiance has just left for
Iraq and we have been told to expect a 15
month deployment. I see no reason to use
birth control while he is away as I will
not be having sex. I have also been told
[not by a professional] that taking a
break from the synthetic estrogen would be
a good thing to do for my body.
I am considering taking a break from birth
control for now and about 6 months from
now or so [during my fiance's R&R
leave] starting it again [starting a new
pack at least one month before he comes
home to ensure it will be effective].
Then when he leaves again [from R&R
-this is a 2 week period] stopping the
birth control and then eventually [about
15 months from now] starting it again so
it will be effective when he comes home.
Questions:
Is this a safe and effective plan for my
body?
Would it be better for me to simply
continue the use of birth control during
this period?
If I do stop using the pill for this 15
month period would it be better to use
condoms instead of starting and then
stopping the use of pills again during his
R&R leave?
Is taking "breaks" from the pill a good
idea for my body; are there any positives
or negatives in doing so? This is
especially relevant to me in that I am not
sure how many future deployments to Iraq I
can expect.
Thank you for your time!
|
Anne123
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 290 Location: Canada
Posted: 06-04-07 09:30am
There is no medical reason to take a break
from birth control pills. No benefit for
your body. Just ask a doctor.
Myth: Women should “take a break”
from their birth control pills.
Fact: Research does not show women who
are healthy and nonsmokers benefit from
taking a break from the pill. More women
are actually taking the pill and staying
on it longer. Stopping the pill without
proper back-up protection can lead to an
undesired pregnancy. Discuss the duration
of how long you should take the pill with
your health-care professional.
You will not harm your body to take a
break, restart, break, restart. But, you
will likely experience irregular periods
when you take a break, and possibly
experience side effects when you restart.
Whenever you stop or start hormonal
contraceptives there is an adjustment
period for your body.
Personally, I would just stay on your
birth control the whole time he's gone.
It's not just for preventing pregnancy
after all. Also, for the times he does
come home for a visit you want to be sure
you're fully protected (not just condoms),
since if you are not on birth control you
will be .S.U.P.E.R fertile on his R&R
leave. It's a natural phenomenon. Plus,
it would be good to be protected just
in-case he surprises you with a visit
home.
|
Georgia59
Supporter
Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 5320 Location: Along the Mississippi, USA
Thanks: 62
Thanked:28
Posted: 06-04-07 10:53am
I agree-there's no medical reason why you
should take a break. And it would cause
irregular periods every time you went on
and off, you might feel really messed up
and experience lots of side effects.
You can do it if you want, it wouldn't be
bad for you except that your cycle would
get really confused but it might be
more trouble than it's worth!
|
silverchic888
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 02 Jun 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Georgia
Posted: 06-04-07 13:31pm
Thanks for the info!! I think I will
continue using birth control while he is
away... if there's no medical benefit it's
not worth stopping!
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This page was last updated on June 11, 2008
but it might be
more trouble than it's worth!