I've been taking birth control pills for over three years now, and I never knew this trick!!

I have always gone by the regimen of starting my BCPs on a Sunday, taking my last active pill 21 days later on a Saturday, and my period always arrives on Wednesday. The IVF nurse instructed me that I should take my last pill on Tuesday the 17th - even if I didn't finish the pack. She also told me that I don't need to tell her when I get my period, she already knew when it would arrive. So I waited to see what would happen. My period came 4 days later (5 days early), even though I never took my last 5 active pills in the pack. I thought this was too soon for comfort and really took me by surprise, and decided to let the nurse know anyway. She says it came right on time to proceed with the schedule we're on, and that's why she had me stop my pills after the 17th.

Woah. So, you can actually manipulate when you get your period?! No way! I thought you were just supposed to take the pills either when you start your period or the Sunday after if it's easier to remember. But, now I realize that you can reschedule when you get your period... no more periods on the weekends for me in the future!! Whoo-hoo!!

Your period comes approx. 3-5 days after you take your last active pill. So, if I want to start my periods on a Monday and just deal with it during the work week and be free for the rest of the weekends of my life, I just have to make sure that the last pill I take in my pack is on Thursday, meaning I should start my packs on Fridays. I always just threw away those stickers that start with different days of the week that always come with your pill packs, but I'll sure be holding onto that Friday start sticker from now on!

As well, I can delay my period if I plan to go on vacation and don't want it spoiled with Aunt Flow tagging along. I just have to buy an extra pack and skip the placebos and keep staying on the active pills until I return from vacation. You don't know how happy I am to have this revelation. :)