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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does Taking Placebo Pill Help Regulate Periods?

Regarding birth control pills: Is it possible and/or safe to start taking my placebo pills to have my period whenever I want? I skipped mine when it was supposed to be last week and started a new pack, but if I keep track of the pills could I just make my period be this week instead?
Thu, 14 Jul 2016
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for posting in HCM.
I understand your concern.
Birth control pills are devised in such a way that they have hormonal pills which protects from pregnancy from happening and placebo or inert pills towards the end of the cycle which needs to be consumed during the time when periods takes place.
Placebo pills are not responsible for periods to happen and they do not have any role in regularizing periods. It contains inert substance like lactose (sugar pills) or iron preparations.
They are timed to be taken during the last week when bleeding takes place. Bleeding happens in the form of periods as a result of withdrawal or stoppage of hormonal pills and is termed as 'breakthrough bleeding'.
You can skip these placebo pills if needed and start the new pack as scheduled during the next cycle without any harm.
It is extremely necessary to maintain the schedule as stated and not to skip any of the hormonal pills for these birth control pills to be effective in preventing pregnancy.
Hope the information provided would be helpful.
All the best.
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Does Taking Placebo Pill Help Regulate Periods?

Hi, Thanks for posting in HCM. I understand your concern. Birth control pills are devised in such a way that they have hormonal pills which protects from pregnancy from happening and placebo or inert pills towards the end of the cycle which needs to be consumed during the time when periods takes place. Placebo pills are not responsible for periods to happen and they do not have any role in regularizing periods. It contains inert substance like lactose (sugar pills) or iron preparations. They are timed to be taken during the last week when bleeding takes place. Bleeding happens in the form of periods as a result of withdrawal or stoppage of hormonal pills and is termed as breakthrough bleeding . You can skip these placebo pills if needed and start the new pack as scheduled during the next cycle without any harm. It is extremely necessary to maintain the schedule as stated and not to skip any of the hormonal pills for these birth control pills to be effective in preventing pregnancy. Hope the information provided would be helpful. All the best.