Can we chat about skipping placebo pills? PMS SUCKS

I'm so glad you asked this, because I've been wondering too...I just started BC pills recently for the sole purpose of skipping periods since I'd be due to start the day we leave for the honeymoon if I stay on time for the next few months. I'm hoping it works, but wondered about the PMS symptoms and if I'll still get those. Cuz that should make getting into my dress SO FUN with the bloat. On the plus side, at least I ordered a bigger cake than we'll need...go ahead and serve me two pieces please

It's been awhile since I've been on the pill, so I'm not an expert. I don't remember the bloating, grumpiness, etc lasting very long. It certainly didn't last until my next period.

I've done this. In my experience, the PMS symptoms are still there, but they definitely DIDN'T last the whole month after I'd skipped placebos. It was pretty much the same as it usually is.

You'll go back to normal (symptoms go away) after about 2 days of the new pack, in my experience.

It depends on your type of pills. Are they all the same hormonal level? If it's tiered,(highest level the first week, less the next) that's why you're getting pms since your body is getting less hormones than the previous week. If you skip a week you shouldn't "keep" the pms through the next 3 weeks. When I skipped (years ago) I didn't have that issue. I did have breakthrough bleeding though, so you may want to test out skipping before your wedding to make sure you won't have any issues.

Most definitely talk to your doc though! Good Luck!

Its been a long time since I did this (or was even on BC) but when I did do it, I do not recall experiencing PMS symptoms for any longer than usual; having said that though, I do recall the following period (in the month after skipping), was worse then usual (a bit heavier, more cramping, etc.) so maybe be prepared for that.

Additionally, have you tried Midol PMS to help with your PMS symptoms? It seems to do a decent job of alleviating not just cramps but other effects of PMS.

ETA: Grammar

Yay - something I actually have experience with! I am on a combination pill (estrogen/progestin) Gildess 1.5/30. I had asked my doctor about this before, because I was curious. She said I could skip my period for up to 3-4 months before I would start spotting. With the pills I am on, I won't lie, there were at least a couple times I skipped my period more than 4 months. But usually after that fourth month, I get spotty and just feel like having a period so it will stop.

To answer your question about symptoms....As long as I continue to take them with no break, I don't get symptoms every month or anything like that. I've noticed occasionally there will be a few days or a week (usually during the 3rd or 4th month) where I will get some PMS symptoms. They aren't continuous!

If it's your first time skipping your period, you may experience symptoms at first. But it is likely those symptoms will go away as you continue to take the pills during the week you'd normally have your period.

***NOT A DOCTOR. haha***

Ohhhh thank you all! This is very helpful. Lol Summer BRING ON THE CAKE. I'll be "practicing" skipping this next month to test out how my body does with it. And Missy, I didn't know Midol PMS existed! Thank you--I'll check into that!

You all are the best!!

No problem Look for the pink box

If you are going to practice skipping, your period date is going to shift anyway so you should be mid-pack by the wedding day, right? Or did you take that into account when you were calculating?

Every body is different, so this is just my personal experience. The first few times I skipped the placebos, I still had PMS symptoms - especially bloating. Now I always take two packs before I get my period, because who wants to deal with a period ever month. My body adjusted, but it took about 6 months for the PMS symptoms and spotting to go away the week I skipped placebos.

I have always skipped placebos and I take

My pills straight through for 84 days at a time, and it's regular Bc (marvelon 21) most docs will

Tell you it doesn't matter if you take a break, your body doesn't need if. I've taken Bc this way for 10+ years and never had an issue it's great!

I will say I did the same thing before my wedding LOL I cut a pack by two weeks so I would get mine 2 weeks before the wedding and be done. No issues but there was some spotting the first month I did it. By wedding time we were golden. Lol

I've done it before to not have a period on vacation. Didn't really notice anything strange. Definitely worth it to be period-free for the wedding and honeymoon!!

If you want to skip pills, most doctors recommend a single dose pill. The other kind varies the dosage throughout the month, so it gears your body up for a "period." If you are just doing it one or two months your regular pill should be fine to do that. I haven't had a period in 10 years. I was on seasonique for about 8 years, and skipped the 4 periods a year (with my drs blessing) and am now on Jolessa.

I get horrible migraines with my PMS, so my OBGYN spoke to my neuro and said there was no medical reason for me to have a period, and a medical reason *not* to.

Good luck!

Thank you all! And GreatNewHites haha the practice skip would shift my period from the honeymoon--to the wedding. Lol so I'm stuck dealing with this issue either way

This is all seriously so helpful! Thank you thank you thank you

Any time I've tried this trick to "skip" my period I've always regretted it!

I just end up feeling pretty awful and STILL end up spotting - so it's not like you can afford to risk going totally tampon free that week.

I always skipped my placebo pills when I was suppose to start my period. Never had a problem! Good luck!

I would start skipping now if you can... ask your doctor if you can though! people react differently

Try Jolessa/Seasonique like @Allison! I've tried the shot, patch, 3 different kinds of pills and have done Jolessa for 5 years and love it. To be honest, I only do the "period pills" once a year. Not trying to have kids now so doctor said no issue. When I try to have kids though, she suggested preparing with no birth control or normal birth control for a year prior so my body gets back into the swing of things. I've had no issues. However if I forget a pill I will say my cramps are way worse than when I was doing the "period pills".

I've noticed no issues skipping but thats me personally. With some monthly birth control, it's tiered as others have said. I believe Jolessa is just a standard dose for 90 days then a placebo pills.

Also, personally once they gave me Introvale as the generic and it was way worse than Jolessa even though they are both Seasonique generics. i was super moody and bad cramps

I personally didn't get the bloaty, PMSing feeling when I continued to take the pills instead of the placebo. I was on Alesse . Sometimes I did spot though so I would recommend using a panty liner if you do find this as well.