Often girls and women ask for changing dates of their periods because of swimming parties, summer holidays, diving, very special meetings with boyfriends, sport competitions, etc. As this demand is existing, some pharmaceutical companies are trying to find harmless solutions. What are possibilities? - 1). extended-cycle oral contraception (if important events are scheduled in advance), 2). gestagens (if events are planned unexpectedly) or 3). birth control pills in special extended regime (if person is already using birth control pills at the time event is planned)

What is extended-cycle oral contraception?

Ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (Brand Names: Jolessa, Quasense, Seasonale, Seasonique)  can be used as extended-cycle oral contraception.
Ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel extended-cycle contains a combination of female hormones that prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). This medication also causes changes in cervical mucus and uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus. Ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel extended-cycle are used as contraception to prevent pregnancy.

How ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel should be taken?

Take one pill every day, no more than 24 hours apart. When the pills run out, start a new pack the following day. You may get pregnant if you do not use this medication regularly. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of pills completely. You will not have a menstrual period every month while you are taking an extended-cycle birth control pill. Instead, your period should occur every 12 weeks. The 91-day birth control pack contains three trays with cards that hold 84 "active" pills and seven "reminder" pills. You must use the pills in a certain order to keep you on a regular cycle. Trays 1 and 2 each hold 28 pills. Tray 3 holds 35 pills, including the 7 reminder pills. Your period should begin while you are using these reminder pills.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Missing a pill increases your risk of becoming pregnant. If you miss one "active" pill, take two pills on the day that you remember. Then take one pill per day for the rest of the pack.

If you miss two "active" pills in a row, take two pills per day for two days in a row. Then take one pill per day for the rest of the pack. Use back-up birth control for at least 7 days following the missed pills.

If you miss three "active" pills in a row, do not take the missed pills. Continue taking 1 pill per day on schedule according to the pill package and leave the missed pills in the package. You may have some bleeding or spotting if you miss three pills in a row. Use back-up birth control for at least the next 7 days. If you miss any reminder pills, throw them away and keep taking one pill per day until the pack is empty. You do not need back-up birth control if you miss a reminder pill.

Important tips

	Do not use ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel extended-cycle if you are pregnant  or if you have recently had a baby.
	Do not use this medication if you have any of the following conditions: a history of stroke or blood clot, circulation problems (especially if caused by diabetes), a hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer, abnormal vaginal bleeding, liver disease or liver cancer, severe high blood pressure, migraine headaches, a heart valve disorder, or a history of jaundice caused by birth control pills.
	Taking hormones can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack, especially if you smoke and are older than 35.
	The hormones in birth control pills can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. This medication may also slow breast milk production. Do not use if you are breast-feeding a baby.
	You may need to use back-up birth control, such as condoms or a spermicide, when you first start using this medication. Follow your doctor's instructions.
	You may have breakthrough bleeding while taking birth control pills. Tell your doctor if this bleeding continues or is very heavy.
	Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
	Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

How to take Primolut N to alter the timing of menstruation

The recommended dosage is 1 tablet of Primolut N 3 times daily for not longer than 10-14 days, beginning about 3 days before the expected menstruation. Bleeding will occur 2-3 days after having stopped medication. For example, the estimated date of your next period is on the 15th, and the diving trip is scheduled for the 16th for, say, 2 days. You can start taking the medicine daily during the period of 12th to 17th (6 days). The actual period will occur on 19th or 20th.

SEASONIQUE®

SEASONIQUE® works with your body like a traditional monthly birth control pill. If you already know about birth control pills and how they work, you know that the Pill prevents you from ovulating, so your uterine lining does not need to build up and shed. SEASONIQUE® works the same way. What’s different with SEASONIQUE® is that you take 1 birth control pill every day for 3 months instead of 3 weeks, so you have fewer periods than with a monthly birth control pill. Seasonique® is safe, effective birth control that gives you 4 short, light periods a year. With Seasonique® your period should last about 3 days. Also, your period should be as light as with a typical monthly Pill. Keep in mind you’re more likely to have bleeding and spotting between periods. This can be slight to a flow like a regular period and should decrease over time.

Is SEASONIQUE safe?

Yes, it’s safe. SEASONIQUE® works the same way as a regular pill, you are just extending the time between your pill periods. When taken as directed, SEASONIQUE® is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. Make sure to take every pill at the same time each day. It helps maximize pregnancy protection and minimize spotting between periods. Only your health care professional can tell you if SEASONIQUE® is right for you.

Bleeding and Spotting after SEASONIQUE

While you get the convenience of 4 periods a year, you’re also more likely to have bleeding or spotting between periods. This can be slight to a flow like a regular period and should decrease over time. Bleeding or spotting is a common side effect with any birth control pill, but you’re more likely to experience this with SEASONIQUE®.