I've been taking the pill every day (no placebo weeks) for a couple of months now, and I now haven't had my period since late February/early March, which is what I wanted. My period was becoming somewhat irregular and was throwing a wrench in my sex life with my boyfriend, so that's why I decided to take the pill continuously to eliminate my period.

I know it's suggested that every few months, you allow yourself to get your period just to make sure everything is in check, but how do you go about that? Do you just simply skip taking your pills for a week or so and then jump back in where you would have left off if you did take them (aka in the next week)?

I want to try to allow my period sooner rather than later because I've been a little paranoid that I might somehow be pregnant despite being on the pill for over a year now & my boyfriend and I using condoms or successfully using the withdrawal method. I'm just in my head about the possibility of pregnancy because my stomach has been feeling and looking more bloated lately... and a friend of mine said maybe it's because of my body becoming bloated as you would before you get your period but since I don't get it anymore, it isn't going away. But I didn't know how valid of a point that is.

TLDR; How do I start my period just to clear things out and make sure everything is well when I'm taking the pill every day resulting in no menstruation? Do I have to stop taking it for a whole week, weeks, an entire pack/month, etc?

I could really use the help. Thanks in advance! ❤️