What is extended and continuous use of hormonal birth control?
Which hormonal birth control products can I use for extended or continuous use?You will need to see your health care provider for extended and continuous use because: Show
Your health care provider will tell you how to use this method of birth control. How well does extended and continuous use of hormonal birth control work?
What are the benefits of extended and continuous use?
What are the side effects of extended and continuous use?The short-term effects are the same as for traditional use of your method of birth control (see the information for your product). The long-term effects are not known. The most common side effect with continuous and extended use is spotting or bleeding between periods. This will get better over time. If this doesn’t improve, talk with your health care provider. What can I do if I have spotting or bleeding between periods?
You must take at least 21 days of birth control in a row before you can take another hormone-free break. Can hormonal birth control cause blood clots?In rare cases, women using the birth control pill, patch, or ring can get a blood clot in the blood vessels. The risk is higher depending on your:
The risk for a blood clot is higher during pregnancy and right after having a baby than when taking the pill. Your health care provider will help you to decide if hormonal birth control is right for you. What symptoms do I need to watch for?Go to the nearest emergency department or call 911 if you have:
What if I forget or am late for my birth control?If you forget or are late with taking your birth control:
Think about getting emergency contraceptiveto help prevent pregnancy if you:
Did You Know
Do a pregnancy test if you have:
Continuous or extended use of birth control is not expected to affect fertility. However, long-term effects are not known. For More Information
Current as of: November 2, 2018 What happens if you get pregnant and still take birth control?Birth control pills will not harm an existing pregnancy, so don't stop using your birth control until you know for sure if you're pregnant. If a woman is worried that she might be pregnant, the first thing she needs to do is take a home pregnancy test or go to a health care center for confidential testing.
Can taking birth control while pregnant cause a miscarriage?Consumption of oral contraceptives for more than 2 years before pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of miscarriage.
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