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Continuous Birth Control

The pill is not new, but this method of taking it is. With the variety of birth control options available today, it is important to look at the advantages and disadvantages of each method before deciding which is right for you. There are three brands of continuous birth control currently available:

Seasonale®

Seasonique®

Yaz®

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Continuous Birth Control?
How is it used?
Does it protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections?
Does it protect against pregnancy?
What are the chances of getting pregnant while using Seasonale®?
What are the advantages to women using CBC?
What are the disadvantages to women using CBC?
What should I know?
What if I miss a pill?

What is Continuous Birth Control?

Continuous birth control (CBC) is just like taking the regular pill, but you take the active pills continuously for three months, and inactive pills for ` week after that. You have your period four times a year.

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How is it used?

Like traditional birth control pills, CBC is a series of pills containing synthetic hormones, estrogen and progestin that are taken daily to prevent you from ovulating (releasing an egg to be fertilized). Instead of a true menstrual period that occurs two weeks after ovulation, you get a "pill period" that may be lighter than a regular period.
Unlike traditional birth control pills that require 21 days of active pills followed by seven days of inactive pills, Seasonale® allows you to take "active" pills continuously for three months. During this time, Seasonale® prevents the uterine lining from thickening enough to produce a full menstrual period. Every three months, you will take one week of inactive pills to produce a "pill period" that may be lighter than a regular period.
When you take CBC, you should expect to have four menstrual periods per year (bleeding when you are taking the seven white pills). However, you will have more bleeding and spotting between your menstrual periods than if you were taking a traditional birth control pill with a 28-day treatment cycle.
For most effective use, take each pill at the same time of the day.

Does it protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections?

No, you must still practice safe sex to prevent an STI.
Use a condom with the CBC to prevent STIs.

Does it protect against pregnancy?

Yes, CBC is highly effective as long as the pill is taken correctly every day. Pregnancy can occur if each pill is not taken correctly. For example:
- If you miss pills.
- If you start the pack late.
- The more pills you miss, the more likely you are to get pregnant.
- If you take the pill at inconsistent times each day: for example, 8 p.m. one day, 12 p.m. the next.

What are the chances of getting pregnant while using Seasonale®?

Typical use: 5 percent
Perfect use: 1 percent

What are the advantages to women using CBC?

Fewer periods.
Lighter periods with less blood flow.
Some women with menstrual migraines or headaches benefit because they have fewer or less intense periods.

What are the disadvantages to women using CBC?

You must remember to take it every day without fail or it will not be effective.
It does not protect against STIs.
You are more likely to have spotting and breakthrough bleeding (light to fairly heavy bleeding between periods) than with a 28-day pill.
It can be difficult to be sure you are not pregnant without a monthly period. However, a home urine pregnancy test can help you determine if you are pregnant. If you are concerned, take a pregnancy test (following the directions included with the test). The test should turn "positive" within 30 days of becoming pregnant; however, the test can be "negative" if you are in an earlier stage of pregnancy.
There are some health risks similar to those with all birth control pills:
- Blood clots, stroke and heart attack.
- Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious side effects.

What should I know?

During the first CBC treatment cycle, about one in three women may have 20 or more days of unplanned bleeding or spotting (bleeding when you are taking pink pills). This bleeding or spotting tends to decrease during later cycles.
Consider the possibility that you are pregnant if you miss your menstrual period (no bleeding on the days that you are taking white tablets). Since scheduled menstrual cycles are less frequent when you are taking CBC, notify your healthcare provider that you have missed your period and are taking CBC. See your healthcare provider to determine if you are pregnant.

What if I miss a pill?

If you miss one active pill take it as soon as you remember. Take the next pill at your regular time. This means you may take two pills in one day.
If you miss two active pills, take two pills on the day you remember and two pills the next day. Then take one pill a day until you finish the pack. You could become pregnant. You must use another birth control method as a back-up on the seven days after you restart your pills. If you miss your period when you start taking the white pills, call your healthcare provider because you may be pregnant.
If you miss three or more pink active pills in a row, do not remove the missed pills from the pack as they will not be taken. Keep taking one pill every day as indicated on the pack until you have completed all the remaining pills in the pack. You must use another birth control method as a back-up on the seven days after you restart your pills. If you miss your period when you start taking the inactive pills, call your healthcare provider because you may be pregnant.
If you miss any of the inactive pills: throw away the missed pills and keep taking the scheduled pills until the pack is finished. Start your next pill pack on schedule.