Thanks for letting me know, that was the only thing that was on my mind yeah we are up to date and everything seems fine, so I don't think that's an issue. Thanks for letting me know

Hey, I've been on the combined pill for about a year now and so far so good. Only this week I've been pretty run down with flu symptoms and today I've noticed a slight bleed, first brown then bright red. It's extremely light and only occurred twice. I was wondering if this had anything to do with be...

Thank you!

Hi Scarleteen, I've just finished a full pack of my combined pill and am on my 7 day break. It's now the 5th day, on which I always bleed very heavily with heavy cramps, however I'm only having very light bleeding when I wipe and a brown discharge, with extremely light cramps. I understand this is n...

That's a good point actually. I'll speak to my partner and hopefully establish what I'm comfortable with. If I feel unsure about anything I'll be sure to let you know!

Thanks for clarifying, I've just had this niggling feeling at the back of my mind. I'm comfortable I know all the facts about the pill, I've learned a lot from the articles on here. I think my worrying has just proven to me that it's best for me to use a backup method too, to give me complete peace ...

Only just realised I said withdrawal bleeding not implantation bleeding in my very first question. Sorry about this being so late, but from what I described, is there any way that could be implantation bleeding?

Thank you so much! You've really helped me

Thanks Heather, you've really settled my mind :) Two more little things, I understand the pill doesn't protect you from sti's however, in your opinion is it effective enough as the only method of contraception? Or would you reccommend backing up with condoms, which I usually do. This also might soun...

Yeah, I'm not on the mini pill anymore, I'm on the combined pill. Thanks, you don't think it's anything to worry about then?

Also, one more little thing, is it ok/normal that I don't have my bleed until day 5/6 of my break?

Yes I'm completely up to date with that, that's actually the first time I've had sex since an all clear check. Making me even more confused

Thanks for letting me know. I had spoken to my doctor about this previously, she said unless I ran on for more than 3 months I shouldn't have much to worry about. Although I always take my break if I can. Hopefully I'm ok health wise, contraception isn't affected by piggybacking hormonal contracepti...

Thanks so much

Hi Scarleteen, I was wondering if I had need to worry that I had some light bleeding whilst on the pill. It only lasted an hour or so and was too light for a tampon. I'm just about to finish my 3rd pack without a break and was wondering if this was the problem? Although I'm worried this could effect...

Okay, thank you!

Yes I have! Should I just stop now?

I think that makes sense. So even though I took a few active pills earlier in my cycle, now I've just finished a full pack I shouldn't take anymore? Regardless of not finishing a full pack before starting another?

I've taken a full pack of active pills, then took about 9 active pills from someone else, before coming home and taking another full pack of pills. So since my last withdrawal bleed I guess I've have 2 packs + 9, but I've just finished a whole 2nd pack, if that makes sense?

Thank you! While I'm on the subject of pills, recently I went abroad and forgot my pills. I borrowed a packet off a friend and then borrowed 9 pills to do me the rest of the trip. I've now finished another full pack now I'm at home, but should I continue taking another 12 pills so that technically I...

Hey scarleteen, I've been on the combined pill for over 6 months now and I love it. However I keep worrying about its effectiveness. I've read over all of your articles about effectiveness and combining contraceptives to boost the effectiveness even further. But recently I've been feeling sick, my b...

Thank you. I'll remember for the future.

Hey Scarleteen, I was away from home for a month and forgot my pills, so a friend let me borrow hers to stop my period from coming, but they were a different brand from my own. I've been home 4 days and I'm back on my usual pills. My question was just that because I changed the type of pills without...

Thanks, do you think it's worth while taking plan B in case or perhaps just talking to my doctor?

Hey scarleteen, I understand you're not doctors however I'd like some advice on the effectiveness of my birth control. I'm currently taking both steriods and antibiotics, recently I had sex with my boyfriend and he 'pulled out' as he ejactulated. We're both pretty unsure that it was a perfect withdr...

Thanks! Is combining the pill with the pull out method a good way of again lowering the chances of pregnancy? I understand condoms are the most effective but I tend to get rashes from the latex