For the past seven months, I'd been on Microgynon 30 and developed horrendous depression since I started but only became aware of the pill being the cause recently. I visited my GP and she prescribed me a different brand, Celest, which I’m hoping will stop my dreadful mood swings. I take my last Microgynon 30 pill tomorrow morning then I’m giving myself the seven-day-break during which I can have my period, and will begin the new brand on Sunday, July 12th.

I know to use a condom for the first few weeks until my body adjusts to the new hormones, and I intend to avoid sex without one for the whole pack because I’m paranoid. However, on the 3rd of August I’ll be holidaying in the USA with my boyfriend, and my question is: do I have to take a break after the first pack of new pill, or can I run two packs together straight away, and when will I be safe to have sex without a condom if so? I really don’t want to have a period during the week that I’ll be on holiday, but I’m unsure about this…