Extending cycles with the Pill
My question is theoretical at this time, as we are expecting. However, since this baby will make three under three, we are planning a little spacing before we have more so that I can continue my career, which supports our family. After the baby arrives, I plan to use oral contraceptives. I wonder if there would be any problem with continuous pill use - that is, taking the pills without the usual break/placebo that brings on menstruation. From what I have read there seem to be no ill effects on health, and of course this has the advantage of eliminating the niddah issue (except for breakthrough bleeding, I imagine). I would very much appreciate your thoughts on this.
Dear questioner,
Thank you for your question.
Besha'ah Tovah!
You don't need to take oral contraceptives according to the conventional schedule of 21 days on and 7 days off, which creates a 28-day cycle. However, a break is necessary. Your uterine lining was meant to shed occasionally. Preventing this through continuous use of oral contraceptives can lead to breakthrough bleeding or to a build-up of the lining that is eventually shed as a very large "ball." You can certainly use two packs back to back (42 active pills and then a week of nothing or a placebo) to lengthen the time that you are tehorah, but we do not recommend longer than this. Also, any time one changes the routine however, there is the small possibility of breakthrough bleeding.
It would be best to discuss the options with your physician.
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