New guidelines say it’s safe to take your contraceptive pill without a break

Of the many different contraceptive options available in the UK, the combined pill is one of the most popular forms.

Taken each day, this pill has historically included a seven-day break to help ‘regulate’ hormones and thus induce menstruation. And anyone who has experienced menstruation knows this can be incredibly painful, uncomfortable and cause unwarranted mood swings.

Now, the reproductive health body that sets standards for the NHS has released a new finding which says it is safe to take the contraceptive pill without a break.

The new finding from the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) found there is no health benefit to taking the break and taking a break poses no risk to future fertility.

However, the FSRH says while women can safely take the pill without a break, it won’t work for everyone and women should still talk to their doctors about which method of contraceptive is best for them.

The combined pill contains oestrogen which some women can’t take so many women take the progesterone-only pill instead – also known as the mini pill.

The progesterone-only pill doesn’t contain a break like the combined pill does and is known to lighten periods or stop them completely.