24 Days Between Scheduled Periods*

Number of periods per year: 13

Scheduled bleeding days per year: 52

You have chosen to learn about birth control pill options that allow you to have at least 24 scheduled period-free days between your periods. Historically most birth control pills were designed in 21/7 regimens. The 24/4 option is designed to give you 3 more period-free days each cycle. You should still expect to have 13 periods a year.

If you already have 24 period-free days each cycle and would like to lengthen the time further, check out the other oral contraceptive option that is available to see if it’s right for you.

Approved pill dosing options:

24 days of active therapy followed by 4 days of inactive therapy during which a woman should expect to have her period. This is often called a 24/4 regimen.
Yaz* is an example of a birth control pill that is a 24/4 regimen.

*Yaz is a registered trademark of Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Germany.

How do oral contraceptives work?

Birth control pills are greater than 99% effective if taken as directed. To learn more about the efficacy and safety of 24/4 contraceptive options and how they work to prevent pregnancy, click here.

Is it okay to lengthen the time between your scheduled periods?

The short answer is yes. To learn more about your period and understand more about why it is okay to take birth control options that lengthen the time between your scheduled periods to at least 21, 24 or 84 days, click here.

Where can I get a 24/4 oral contraceptive?

If you’re interested in taking a 24/4 oral contraceptive, you’ll need to visit your doctor to get a prescription. Your doctor can help you determine if a 24/4 oral contraceptive is right for you.

*Combination oral contraceptives are designed in a way that you should not expect to have your period while taking active therapy and expect to have your period while taking placebo pills. Some women may find that their periods are actually shorter than the number of placebo days, while some women may find that they are still menstruating for the first couple of days after they resume taking active therapy. Some women may also find that they have some bleeding or spotting when they take active pills. This is generally transient and is not part of your planned or scheduled period. Some women may also find that their period stops all together (amenorrhea). Women who experience amenorrhea are still protected from pregnancy and their periods typically return to normal once they stop taking therapy.

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