Continuous Cyclen pill and bleeding, is it normal?

Question

I have been taking the Cyclen 21-day pill continuously for at least 6 months. Is it normal that at the beginning of the cycle the pill is not effective? I have been experiencing bleeding (not very heavy, but still present) and stomach aches for over a week. Since this is the first time I've experienced this since I've been taking the pill continuously, I was wondering if the problem is really related to the period or if it could be something else? Also, is it okay to take the Cyclen pill continuously or is there too much hormone variation? The bleeding and stomach pain started a week ago. Even though I'm taking my birth control pill. Will I have to stop taking it in the middle of my cycle to get my period or will I continue to take it despite its ineffectiveness?

Isabelle Pelletier · Accepted Answer

If I understand correctly, you have been taking cyclen continuously for 6 months without any problem and slight bleeding/stomach ache has just appeared? Continuous use of cyclen is safe, so there is nothing to worry about. If persistent bleeding occurs over a period of months AND you have been taking your active tablets for more than 21 consecutive days, you can take a break of 5 to 7 days and then resume taking your tablets continuously. If, however, the bleeding occurs within 21 days of starting the tablets (after a break), it is not safe to stop them. If this problem occurs repeatedly, it would be necessary to evaluate the possibility of changing the type of birth control pills, for example, to a type with a slightly higher estrogen content and/or containing a different progestin. I hope that I have answered your question. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like more information If you have been taking them continuously for several months, you are not "in the middle of the cycle", the cycle is considered to have started on the first day of continuous intake, so if bleeding occurs more than 21 days after the start of continuous intake (first pack taken after a period), you could take a break for 5 to 7 days to "trigger" your period, then continue with another pack (without a break period) to continue continuously... I hope that my information is clear, do not hesitate if it is not the case