The woman can amend two contraceptive packs, without any risk to health. However, those who want to stop menstruation should change the pill for one of continuous use, which does not need a break, nor does it have a period.
There is no consensus among gynecologists as to how many contraceptive packs can be amended, but everyone agrees that pills should not be amended frequently because at some point the uterus will start to release small bleeds, this being the only risk of patching..
Learn about other ways to stop menstruation.
These bleeds happen because the tissue that lines the uterus internally continues to increase even with the pill and it is its exit that we know as 'menstruation'. When splicing the cartons, this tissue continues to form, but at some point, the body will need to release it, and as there is no menstruation, these small escape bleeds may appear.
Why it is necessary to respect the contraceptive break
The contraceptive pill pause must be respected to allow the uterus to be cleaned, because, although the ovaries are not maturing eggs, the uterus continues to prepare, every month, for a possible pregnancy, becoming thicker due to the endometrium.
Thus, the bleeding that occurs during the pause is not a true menstruation, as it does not contain any eggs, and exists only to allow the uterus to be cleaned and to imitate the woman's natural cycle, making it easier to identify possible cases of pregnancy, when menstruation does not. goes down, for example.
There is no risk to health if the pause is not taken, as the hormones released by the pill only prevent the ovaries from functioning, which can remain stationary for a long time without harming the woman. The only risk that can happen is the spontaneous release of tissue from the uterus, which causes small irregular bleeds until all the tissue has been eliminated.
How to pause correctly
The length of the pause between pills varies depending on the type of birth control pill you are taking. Like this:
- 21-day pills, like Yasmim, Selene or Diane 35: the break is usually 7 days, and on those days, the woman should not take pills. The new card must start on the 8th day of the break; 24-day pills, like Yaz or Mirelle: the break is 4 days without contraceptives, and the new pack should start on the 5th day. Some cards have, in addition to the 24 pills, 4 tablets of another color, which have no hormones and work as a break. In these cases, the new pack should start as soon as the next day that ends and the last colored pill in the pack. 28-day pills, like Cerazette: do not need a break, as they are of continuous use. In this type of pill there is no menstruation but minor bleeding can occur on any day of the month.
By forgetting to take the first pill from the new pack after the break, the ovaries can return to normal functioning and mature an egg, which can increase the chances of becoming pregnant, especially if you have had sexual intercourse without walking during the break period. Know what to do if you forget to take your contraceptive.
In some cases, the pause time can also vary according to the brand of the pill and, therefore, it is very important to read the package insert and clarify all doubts with the gynecologist, before starting the use of birth control pills.
