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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How To Avoid Menstrual Cycle With Althea Pills?

Hi. I just took my 1st pill Althea today.my husband will be coming home on the 16th.is it ok not to take the 7free pills after taking the 21 pills?Do I need to continue the next pack immediately to avoid my menstruation? My menstrual cycle is regular every month.i iust dont want to have my menstruation during the 27-days vacation of my husband.thank u.
Wed, 27 Apr 2016
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi & Welcome.
I can understand your situation.
You need to continue the next pack IMMEDIATELY to avoid menstrual cycle.
Althea is a birth control pill (contains synthetic hormones oestrogen & progesterone) that is taken in 21 days cycle. The other 7 pills are inactive. The bleeding that occurs during the week you take the inactive pills is withdrawal bleeding, which looks like a period. This is your body's response to stopping the hormones. If you skip the inactive pills and start a new pack of active pills right away, you won't have this withdrawal bleeding.
It also gives you protection against pregnancy if you have unprotected sexual intercourse while already taking the pills regularly.

Since you have already took your 1st active pill today there is no need to take another pill containing progesterone. You have just started the pill and it will work for 21 days and since your husband is coming within this period and you do not want to have menstruation, then you can continue the next pack without a gap and you will be safe.
Hope this solves your problem.
Best wishes.
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How To Avoid Menstrual Cycle With Althea Pills?

Hi & Welcome. I can understand your situation. You need to continue the next pack IMMEDIATELY to avoid menstrual cycle. Althea is a birth control pill (contains synthetic hormones oestrogen & progesterone) that is taken in 21 days cycle. The other 7 pills are inactive. The bleeding that occurs during the week you take the inactive pills is withdrawal bleeding, which looks like a period. This is your body s response to stopping the hormones. If you skip the inactive pills and start a new pack of active pills right away, you won t have this withdrawal bleeding. It also gives you protection against pregnancy if you have unprotected sexual intercourse while already taking the pills regularly. Since you have already took your 1st active pill today there is no need to take another pill containing progesterone. You have just started the pill and it will work for 21 days and since your husband is coming within this period and you do not want to have menstruation, then you can continue the next pack without a gap and you will be safe. Hope this solves your problem. Best wishes.