I'm 20. I started Alesse at age 17 when I was with my first boyfriend. I stayed on it until I was 19. Then when we broke up and I went off it, I was low on money and didn't feel the need to be on it since I was not having sex. Then about 6 months ago I started another serious relationship and went back on it. Now, we have broken up and I don't think I will be dating for a good while.

My question is... Is it Dangerous to go on and off the Pill like this? I only have sex in serious relationships so I don't feel the need to be on it for things like a "one night stand". Is it better to stay on the Pill for long periods of time? I'm not sure of the health risks of going on and going off, can anyone enlighten me?

Thank-you to anyone who can offer any advice or personal experiences!

-Beautyfly

I'm 20. I started Alesse at age 17 when I was with my first boyfriend. I stayed on it until I was 19. Then when we broke up and I went off it, I was low on money and didn't feel the need to be on it since I was not having sex. Then about 6 months ago I started another serious relationship and went back on it. Now, we have broken up and I don't think I will be dating for a good while.

My question is... Is it Dangerous to go on and off the Pill like this? I only have sex in serious relationships so I don't feel the need to be on it for things like a "one night stand". Is it better to stay on the Pill for long periods of time? I'm not sure of the health risks of going on and going off, can anyone enlighten me?

Thank-you to anyone who can offer any advice or personal experiences!

-Beautyfly

It isn't dangerous, per se, but it can interfere with your menstrual cycle.

It's fine to stop the pill while you're not sexually active, but do realize that the pill has other good effects, too, such as causing regularity, helping acne, and shortening periods.

YES! Not dangerous..but not healthy either. I had almost the same situation as you. I went on Ortho-Tri at 17 and stayed on it until I was 19 (and broke up with my bf and realized that the Pill was a daily reminder that I wasn't having sex...) I decided to go back on it because my skin was really breaking out and I went back on Ortho-Tri and gained about 10 lbs (my dr. said because of the on/off of my body and the hormones). I too am on Alesse now, but am switching to Yasmin because it is supposed to not make you gain weight (it has a diuretic in it) and it's supposed to clear your face. Final words? STAY ON THE PILL! At least, that's what I'm doing. I'm not going off of it until I want kids.