When will my period arrive if I am on the combined birth control pill?

Doctor's Answers 1

The oral contraceptive pill that you have been prescribed (Mercilon) is a 21 day pill with a 7 day pill-free break.

This means that you have to consume 1 oral contraceptive pill daily for 21 days and then have a 1 week break (7 days) before starting a new pack.

During this 7 pill-free days, your period should come. If it comes exactly 7 days after your last active pill, this means that your cycle is a 28 day cycle like the majority of women who are on Mercilon.

if it comes 5 days after your last active pill, you then have a 26 day menstrual cycle.

Regardless of when your menses comes sometime during these 7 pill-free days, you have to start the new packet of Mercilon exactly 7 days after your last active pill in order to prevent pregnancy and to have a regular menstrual cycle.

If your menses fails to come at the end of the 7 pill-free days or if you have missed taking your oral contraceptive pill for a day, you have to see your gynaecologist for advice as to what to do next.

Similar Questions

When should I be concerned about spotting in the middle of my period cycle?

Mid cycle spotting is not uncommon, and it occurs around the time of the ovulation, due to a temporary drop in the levels of hormones (which helps to build up the inner lining of the womb). If you have taken the birth control pill and it stops the mid cycle spotting, it indicates ovulation as the likely reason for the mid cycle bleeding. This is because the birth control pill works by inhibiting ovulation (hence preventing pregnancy). Usually mid cycle spotting due to ovulation lasts 1-2 days and clears quickly.

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Answered By

Human

How do birth control pills prevent pregnancy?

First and foremost, the primary contraception action of the oral contraceptive pill is that they prevent ovulation of an egg from the ovary. The oral contraceptive pills also change the nature of the cervical mucus especially during the fertile period by making it more hostile to sperm survival and motility. Finally, the oral contraceptive pills thin the endometrial lining making it harder for an embryo to implant. The oral contraceptive pills are very effective (as long as you are taking them correctly as instructed) and are associated with a low failure rate.

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Answered By

Dr Christopher Ng

Gynaecologist

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