Is it ok to switch bc methods temporaraly?

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short story, im going out of the country on a school trip in a couple months. i am currently in a sexual relationship and thusly am on combination BC pills (lutera)(and have been for the past 6months). the problem is that it is not possible for me to take my pills with me, but i dont just want to stop takeing them as soon as i leave because then i will be on my period for my whole trip. so the options my bf and i have talked about is 1) after i take the week of inactive pills for my period i just dont start a new pack until i get back from the trip, thusly illiminating the period problem. the only thing with this is that i dont really want to stop being on a hormonal method of bc, i mean we wouldent have sex until 2wks afer i was back on the pill, but i would feel like i was playing with fire as far as the pregnancy possibilty goes as far as just stoping and starting takeing bc. and option #2)switch to the Nuva ring for that month then switch back to the pill when i get home (i would consult my doctor first of cource), this way i am still on basicly the same meds, just delivered differently, so there wouldent be that gap in hormone levels. the problem with this is that the Nuva ring is relatively new, and i have a hard time trusting anything that has yet to withstand the test of time, i dont want to accidently stralize myself with this new tecnology, or mutate my reproductive organs or give myself any other health problems. i mean the patch seemed safe untill people started haveing heart attchs.im just not sure what would be the best option. any oppinions or advise would be greatly apreseated. thank you

I am not exactly sure what you should do. However I am curious as to why you can't take your pills with you?

Big question: Is your boyfriend going too?Consult your doctor before you make any decision.

Switching around BC for a couple of months can screw up your system. I really don't understand why you can't take the pills with you? That doesn't make sense.

I think you will be fine to switch to the ring. You are correct in that the hormones are somewhat the same and the delivery is just different.It is not so new, this therapy. It has been tested and is effective, and is not going to sterilize you any more than a bcp would. Sooo.... No need for paranoia. It should all be fine as a switch.K

It might mess with your bleeding pattern, Unfortunately

well as to why i cant bring it. one of my friends that is going on this trip doesent know im not a virgen. shes religious and has given me many a lecture on how big of a sin it is to have sex b4 ur married, and got really pissed when i told her my views on the matter. and in her own way she has told me that she would rather not know about anything sexual in my life. the fact that she believes all of this is fine with me. im a big believer in to each his own. i personally see nothing wrong with premarital sex if you are responsible about it and are willing to accept all of the risks that come with it.

anyway...she dosent know, and im not planning on her finding out...cuz honestly she would blow a freakin gasget and probably tell people about it and probably would tell my parents aswell...(the only people that know about it are my doctor, and 2 of my friends that are very good friends who would never tell anyone, and like 2 of my bf's friends. any i dont keep it under raps because i am assamed of, i stand by my beliefs that there is nothing wrong with it as long as you are responsible. the reason i choose to keep it private, is 1)because roomers fly to quick in high school, and i dont want people haveing my private bussines to start roomers and gossip about and 2)once its out of my little circle of friends i have no control over who knows from that point on)..., not to mention want to kill my bf for "deflowering" her friend...she can be kinda crazy like that.

anyhew she is going on this trip, and we r probably going to be shareing alot of stuff, so the possibility of her going threw my stuff and finding the pills is really high. and she would blow a gasget, the whole yelling screaming name calling thing.

the 2 other reasons for this are 1) i dont want to risk it being a problm takeing it with me on the plane, like i dont want security to bring it up or have anything to say about it...cuz we are going to be in a big group the entire time and i really dont want 20 of my friends and classmates along with my favorite teacher....and i cant guarenty that wont happen and 2) there is a big time difference from where i live and where we will be for over a week. i take my pill at 9 o'clock on the dot every night, and i would have to take it at some backwards ass hour of the night...so i wouldent know when i should take it

and to the question about my boyfriend, yes he is going

Well, taking it on the plane is not going to be an issue with the security people etc..Too bad you have to go through all these dramatics over your nutcase friend.

Ok, your friend is a fucking nut and your sex life is none of her business. Do what you want, if she finds the pills and feels the need to bitch about or tell anyone, I believe that you are well within your rights to smack her.

If your THAT concerned about her finding out, why not put the pills in a different sort of packaging or maybe have your boyfriend take care of hiding them?

OR as soon as your there, hide them under the mattress or something.

agreed

Yeah I think it's ridiculous not to take them. Even if she did find them, there are many other reasons why some one might be on BC. Not just because you're having sex. For all she knows you might have bad cramping or heavy bleeding which could cause you to be on the pill. Or perhaps you have irregular periods etc.

Keep them in your purse or something, unless she plans on looking through that too. Or perhaps use a weekly pill dispenser to disguise them? You know the ones that have the S,M,T,W,T,F,S individual little squares. Just put the proper BC pill in for the proper day. There are tons of ways to hide them.

Personally I think its way too much work for you to switch BC and screw up your system. All because you have one friend who can't mind her own business and respect other peoples opinions. It's your choice to have sex. Even if she doesn't approve, she's not your parents or any one with control over you, and you are having safe sex.

I routinely put my meds in a baggie/day when we travel. My vitamins, my CQ 10, folic acid, thyroid, bcp, prilosec, glucosamine/chondroitin, etc. They are not something recognizable out of their packaging. Then I keep them in my backpack/carryon that I carry with me all the time. That way, where ever I remember to take them, I have them with me...

I agree with what has been mentioned several times: simply put the pills into different packaging. If you have any old prescription pill bottles with your name on it, you have the perfect disguise for them.

thanks you gyes, i think i will get a weekly pill despencer...that will also work great for remembering to take all of the other meds im going to have to take wile on this trip. (like advil, there is gonna be alot of walking involved) thanks for all of your help....i have one more question though....security at the airport wont question me haveing a weekly pill despencer with unmarked medication in it?

That can be an issue. I would bring them in (just what you need) in the original packs and then put them in the dispenser and discard the packs once you're in the country. Some zealous customs officers do get upset about unmarked pills.