Frequently Asked Questions

Below are commonly asked questions about SEASONALE®. Remember, only you and your healthcare professional can determine if SEASONALE® is right for you. If you have additional questions, contact your healthcare professional and print out a list of questions to take to your next appointment.

1. Do I need to have a period every month?

If you’re on the traditional birth control pill, you’re not ovulating. This means you’re not getting a menstrual period—you’re getting a “Pill period” that happens when you stop taking the “active” birth control pills (the ones that contain hormones).

2. Without a monthly period, how will I know I’m not pregnant while taking SEASONALE®?

Just like all birth control pills, when taken daily as directed, SEASONALE® is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. If you think you might be pregnant, especially if you have missed pills, you should contact your healthcare professional.

3. What if I don’t get my period at all while I’m on SEASONALE®?

Some women on birth control pills experience no bleeding during their scheduled period. This is called amenorrhea and can happen with many birth control pills. If you do not get a period, contact your healthcare professional to confirm you’re not pregnant.

4. Will I experience any side effects with SEASONALE®?

Side effects associated with SEASONALE® are similar to those of other birth control pills. They may include bleeding between scheduled periods, nausea, and breast tenderness. These side effects may decrease over time. Serious side effects occur infrequently, especially if you are in good health and do not smoke. You should know that the following medical conditions, though rare, have been associated with or made worse by oral contraceptives like SEASONALE®: blood clots in the legs or lungs, stoppage or rupture of a blood vessel in the brain, blockage of blood vessels in the heart or other organs in the body, liver tumors, and high blood pressure.

5. Will I gain weight with SEASONALE®?

Change in weight with SEASONALE® is similar to what you would experience on a traditional birth control pill. A recent review of clinical studies involving different birth control pills showed no proof that birth control pills actually cause an increase in weight. Remember, every woman is different. Change in weight usually depends on eating and exercise habits.

6. What if I forget to take a pink pill?

If you miss 1 pink active pill, take it as soon as you remember. Take the next pill at your regular time. This may mean you will take 2 pills on the same day.

7. What should I do if I miss 2, 3, or more pink pills?

If you miss 2 pink active pills, take 2 pills on the day you remember. Take 2 pills the next day. Then take 1 pill a day until you finish your pack. If you miss 3 or more pink active pills, do not remove the missed pills from your pack. You’re not going to take them. Instead, keep taking 1 pill every day until you have finished your pack. You may experience bleeding during the week following your missed pills. You must use another method of birth control (such as condoms or spermicide) as a backup for 7 days after you miss 2 or more pink active pills.

8. Can I smoke while taking SEASONALE®?

As with other birth control pills, smoking while taking SEASONALE® can increase your risk for serious side effects such as heart attack, stroke, and blood clots. Women who use SEASONALE®, or any birth control pill, should not smoke. If you’re a heavy smoker and over age 35, you should not take SEASONALE®.

9. Will my period be longer or heavier when I’m taking SEASONALE®?

Your SEASONALE® periods should be similar in length to those you experience with traditional birth control Pills. SEASONALE® offers you the convenience of having 4 periods a year, during the first year on SEASONALE®, you’re more likely to have bleeding or spotting between periods than with traditional Pills. This can be slight to a flow like a regular period. Total days of bleeding are similar to a traditional birth control pill. These side effects are common during early cycles and can happen as your body is adjusting to hormones. They should decrease over time.