Let’s Play Pill! Controlling the timing of your cycle.

For all of you blackjack and poker fans out there, you probably get the “Let’s play some cards” reference pretty quickly. And while you may have never put the words birth control pill and pack of cards together in the same sentence, there are some similarities. Think about it…both come in a pack, both have two colors, and both can be purchased at most local drugstores. And it doesn’t end there. In fact, the biggest similarity between these two “packs” is the way you can manipulate them to make things a little more interesting. If we lose, you don’t despair. We will lay all our cards on the table and talk you through this.

Although as GYNs we are pretty partial, in many ways, OCPs are science’s greatest gift to women. It gives us flexibility, it gives us choice, and it gives us control. It also takes away cramps, minimizes bleeding, and puts a stop to acne and unwanted hair growth. Not bad! And while it does require a daily thought (we recommend combining it with brushing your teeth!), most of us can handle that. On top of these pluses are some plus + pluses (a.k.a. contraception).

And if that wasn’t enough, the pill can now be used to adjust when and if you see red. By extending the active pill pack and skipping the placebo (sugar pills), you can avoid that un-fun time. The constant dose of estrogen and progesterone will keep the inside of the uterus (the lining) from shedding. And while it may sound like we have lost our minds, you can live in this steady state of estrogen and progesterone for many months, even years (truly, you can!). It won’t hurt your body or your future chances of having a baby.

Sometimes you just don’t like the hand you are dealt. Luckily, you are not in Vegas and can reshuffle your cards. In fact, counting cards is what we GYNs do best. By looking at your pill pack and your calendar, we can come up with a period schedule that not only works for your body but also for your life. Let’s face it,getting your period on your vacation, wedding day, or honeymoon is just not fun.

But don’t count your cards before the game is over. While altering the pill schedule usually works to avoid bleeding on big days, sometimes your body has a mind of its own. Breakthrough bleeding can occur despite continuous OCP use—and although it’s a big bummer, it’s not a big deal (medically speaking).

So if you play your cards right, you might just be able to avoid taking tampons on your next trip. It requires some planning, but with your ace up your sleeve (a.k.a. your OB/GYN), you can plot out your next move. While most card players are taught to keep their cards close to their chest, in this game, to win you have to let a couple of people in. Don’t worry; we won’t tell the dealer!