Tri-Cyclen Lo: Skipping Placebo Pills & Continued Protection

Question
I have been on tri cyclen lo for almost 3 years. i was wondering if it was safe to skip the placebo pills n start a new pack? which i have done so. Am i still protected from getting pregnant?

Answer
Yes, you are still protected from getting pregnant.  The important things are to take the active pills for at least 21 days (but you can take them for as many days after that as you wish), and not go more than 7 days without an active pill.  Sometimes when you go more than 21 days on the active pills, your period may want to come.  Then you may have to stop the active pills for 4-7 days to let a period come.