How to Delay Your Period on the Pill
If you already take a combined contraceptive pill, you can usually skip a bleed by running packs back to back. How to do it with 21-day, everyday and phasic pills, what to expect, and what to do on the mini pill.
Part of the Period Delay Health Guide.
When to get urgent help: Call 999 or go to A&E if you have signs of a blood clot or stroke while taking a combined pill: pain, swelling or redness in one leg; sudden chest pain or breathlessness; coughing up blood; sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking or a sudden severe headache. See a doctor the same day if your skin or eyes turn yellow, or you get a migraine with aura (such as flashing lights or zigzag lines) for the first time.
Key fact: on a monophasic combined pill, finish the active pills in one pack and start the next pack straight away, without the 7-day break or the inactive pills. This skips the withdrawal bleed. It is a widely used approach described in NHS guidance for women already using a suitable combined pill, although it is off-label for some brands and breakthrough bleeding is common at first.
The pill keeps working as contraception when you run packs together, as long as you take it correctly. Phasic pills and the progestogen-only (mini) pill work differently, so they are covered separately below.
Not on the Pill?
If you don’t take a combined pill, norethisterone 5mg is the licensed option for delaying an occasional period. It is prescribed after an online consultation with our GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescribers.
Get norethisterone 5mg →The bleed on the pill isn’t a true period
The bleed you get in the pill-free week is a withdrawal bleed. It is caused by the drop in hormones when you stop the active pills, not by your natural cycle. There is no medical need to have it, which is why many women take their pill in a “tailored” way, with shorter or fewer breaks, as described in Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare guidance.
How to run packs back to back
| Type of pack | What to do | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 21-day monophasic (all active pills the same) | Start the next pack the day after your last pill, with no 7-day break | Rigevidon, Microgynon 30, Marvelon, Yasmin |
| Everyday (ED) pack (21 active + 7 inactive) | Skip the inactive pills and start the active pills of the next pack straight away. Return the unused inactive pills to a pharmacy for disposal | Microgynon 30 ED |
| Phasic (dose changes through the pack) | Ask a pharmacist or prescriber first: see below | Logynon, Qlaira |
You can run two or more packs together. NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service guidance says monophasic pills can be taken continuously for as long as you want, although the chance of breakthrough bleeding rises the longer you go. When you stop, expect a withdrawal bleed within a few days.
Check your pack. Brand names and pack types vary, and some brands have their own instructions for tailored use. If you aren’t sure which type you have, check the leaflet or ask a pharmacist before you skip a break. Missed-pill rules still apply while you run packs together.
Phasic pills: get advice first
Some pills change the hormone dose through the pack. You can’t simply start the next pack from the beginning, because the dose at the end of one pack doesn’t match the start of the next. NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service guidance describes finishing your pack and then taking the pills from the last phase of a new pack, but the details depend on the brand. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber how to do this with your pill, and make sure you have enough packs.
What to expect
- Breakthrough bleeding or spotting is common when you run packs together, especially the first few times. It isn’t a sign that your pill has stopped working, and it usually settles.
- If you bleed for 3 to 4 days after taking active pills for at least 21 days in a row, FSRH guidance on tailored pill-taking allows a 4-day break before you restart. Ask a pharmacist if you are unsure.
- Seek advice if bleeding is heavy, happens after sex, or comes with pain or unusual discharge, because these can have other causes.
The mini pill (progestogen-only)
The mini pill is taken every day without a break, so there is no withdrawal bleed to skip. Bleeding on it is often irregular, and NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service guidance says it can’t reliably be used to stop periods. If you need to avoid bleeding on a specific date, speak to a prescriber. Depending on your medical history, they may suggest switching to a combined pill or another option.
The ring and the patch
The combined vaginal ring and the contraceptive patch can also be used continuously or with fewer breaks to reduce withdrawal bleeds. This is off-label, so check with a prescriber or sexual health clinic how to do it with your product.
If you’re not on the pill
Running packs back to back only works if you already take a combined pill, and it isn’t worth starting the pill just to delay one period. If you aren’t on the pill, norethisterone 5mg is the usual option for an occasional delay. See can you delay your period? or compare all the options.
UK safety information
- Prescription medicine: the combined pill is a prescription-only medicine. Your prescriber checks your blood pressure, BMI and medical history before prescribing it and at reviews.
- Off-label use: taking some brands back to back is outside their licence. It is a widely used approach described in NHS and FSRH guidance, but check the instructions for your brand.
- Blood clots: the combined pill carries a small risk of blood clots, whether or not you take breaks. The risk is higher if you smoke, are over 35, have a BMI over 30, have migraine with aura, or are immobile, for example after surgery or on a long flight.
- Contraception: taking your pill continuously doesn’t reduce how well it works, but missed pills, vomiting and some medicines can. Follow the missed-pill rules in your leaflet.
- Reporting side effects: you can report suspected side effects to the MHRA through the Yellow Card scheme website or the Yellow Card app.
Need Norethisterone Instead?
If you aren’t on a combined pill, start your consultation at least a week before your period is due. Approved orders placed before 3pm Monday to Friday are dispatched that day by Royal Mail Tracked 24.
Get norethisterone 5mg →Frequently asked questions
How do I skip my period on the combined pill?
Finish the active pills in your pack and start the active pills of the next pack straight away, without the pill-free break or the inactive pills. This skips the withdrawal bleed. Phasic pills need specific advice.
Which pills can I run back to back?
Monophasic combined pills, where all the active pills contain the same dose, such as Rigevidon, Microgynon 30, Marvelon or Yasmin. Phasic pills such as Logynon need advice from a pharmacist or prescriber first.
Is it OK to skip my period on the pill?
For most women already using a suitable combined pill, it is a widely used option. The bleed in the pill-free week is a withdrawal bleed, not a true period, and there is no medical need to have it. Taking some brands back to back is off-label, so check the advice for your pill.
Will I get breakthrough bleeding?
Spotting or breakthrough bleeding is common when you run packs together, especially the first few times. It usually settles. Get advice if bleeding is heavy, happens after sex or comes with pain.
Can I delay my period on the mini pill?
Not reliably. The mini pill has no scheduled bleed to skip, and bleeding on it is often irregular. Speak to a prescriber if you need to avoid bleeding on a particular date.
Am I still protected from pregnancy if I skip the break?
Yes, as long as you take your pill correctly. Taking it continuously doesn’t make it less effective, but missed pills, vomiting and some medicines can.
References
- NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service. Choosing a medicine to delay periods. 2025. sps.nhs.uk
- NHS. Combined pill. nhs.uk
- Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare. Combined hormonal contraception guideline (tailored regimens). fsrh.org
- MHRA. Yellow Card scheme. yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk
Medical disclaimer: This article is for information only and does not replace advice from your GP, pharmacist or prescriber. The combined pill is a prescription-only medicine; always follow the instructions in your pill’s leaflet. In a medical emergency, call 999.