question about skipping periods

[im4ft12.livejournal.com]

Ok, so I think I pretty much know the answer to this, but I'm gonna ask anyway.
Next Saturday I'm in a wedding, and I realized last week that I will be on my period on the day of said wedding. Now usually that kind of stuff doesn't bother me as my period is usually a non-issue. However the dress I have to wear is all gauzy (and UGLY) and for some reason I'm really paranoid about some leaking occurring because it would be DEVASTING if it did. Plus, I have to wear all sorts of evil undergarments (think control top granny-panties, corset and maybe nylons) so that will just make things more difficult. Also, I'll be getting a room with my bf and we almost never get any alone time. If I will be on my period we'll probably do it anyway but it's just not as fun!
SO now the question is, I'm on trinessa which is the generic form of ortho tri-cyclen. I've never tried skipping my period in the 5 years I've been on it because I've been told that because of the different levels of hormones, the first week is too weak to stop a period. At this point, I think I'm going to just start my new pack and see what happens, maybe a lighter period? I guess I'm looking for any input from people who've tried this with the triphasic pill. Wish me luck!
Thanks ladies!

Comments

[laurenmarie.livejournal.com]

i was on trinessa before i switched over to ortho evra and i would skip my period for like 3 months at a time while on it.

just start a new pack instead of taking the placebo (4th week) of pills and you won't get your period. the first time i did it, i had some very light spotting and then that went away after the first day or two.

[neaira.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, not everyone is able to skip their periods while taking triphasic pills. The sudden shift in hormones levels can cause even more bleeding than during the off week.

[laurenmarie.livejournal.com]

o rly?

i had no idea. you learn something new everyday.

[neaira.livejournal.com]

ya rly.

It's easier to skip periods on monophasic pills, but some women still can't do it. I know when I was on HBC, I could skip my periods but then the next one would be REALLY horrible.

[decemberfaerie.livejournal.com]

I'm on OTC-Lo and when I tried skipping my period it utterly failed. Well, not totally it did hold it off for 2 extra days but then I got it just as usual. If you're going to try it you may want to take the second pack in reverse order so there isn't a dramatic hormone change. If you start with the first pills which have the least amount of hormones the drop in levels could be enough to trigger your period. Good luck, I hope it works out for you.

[im4ft12.livejournal.com]

Would taking the entire pack in reverse order still protect me against pregnancy? And also would it then throw off my next period? Thanks if anyone you or anyone knows the answers to these.

[decemberfaerie.livejournal.com]

When I got advice about skippig here several people suggested that to me, so I assumed full protection would still be provided. As to the period being thrown off I have no idea.

[frolicnaked.livejournal.com]

Just because I wondered, I've been trying to find internet sources that address this specific issue, and I'm having trouble finding anything authoritative.

For example, sites like this (http://studenthealth.oregonstate.edu/answerspot/message.php?message=6773) and this (http://www.thedoctorslounge.net/gynecology/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2060) suggest that protection may be compromised. However, sites like this (http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:pWN_lLvJc9UJ:www.metrokc.gov/health/famplan/clinicguide/menstrual_suppression.doc+taking+birth+control+backward&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=10&client=firefox-a) and this (http://thewelltimedperiod.blogspot.com/2004/07/skip-period-with-triphasic-pills-you.html) suggest that it's safe to do. Managing Contraception addresses the "risks" (essentially none) of taking one pill out of order here (http://www.managingcontraception.com/QA/show_item.php?item=1504&type=qna) but doesn't mention the effects of taking a whole pack backward. (If someone out there knows of better sources, your input would be much appreciated.)

Thinking about it, it makes sense to me that taking the pills backward shouldn't put you at increased risk for ovulating. From what I see, even the lowest dose of pills contains enough hormones to suppress ovulation, hence one of the reasons why you're protected after the first 7 pills when first starting and why you're protected continuously once you've established a rhythm (21 days of properly taking pills, not more than 7 days off). Then again, I'm not a doctor or a pharmacist, so there are lots of people who know better about these things than I do.

Managing Contraception has a page where you can ask a contraception question (http://www.sexualetiquette101.com/QA/ask.php). I'm curious now, so I'm going to ask there.

As for it throwing off your next period, I'd imagine that's something that varies by individual.

[scien.livejournal.com]

people disagree on this issue, I'd suggest asking your doctor or pharmacist.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_norma_jeane_/]

I've tried it with OTC-Lo... and the results were not pretty. I randomly spotted for an entire month. Not fun.

[jasminelily.livejournal.com]

I'm on OTC, and I've had mixed results. I've tried it twice, the first time I got my period the day after it was due to come anyway, and it lasted for 8 days (instead of my usual 4). The second time I got my period about a week after I would have been due to get it, and it lasted almost ten days. So, it could work, or it could not.