Thank you for your question. It can be confusing to bleed through a combined pill. Although it is common to have breakthrough bleeding on the pill when you first start it usually doesn't last this long. Once you are back from your travels it might be a good idea to get examined by your gynaecologist to ensure there is nothing local that is causing the bleed. If that is all clear changing to a pill with a different combination may help. Generally you will find it perfectly OK to take packets back to back for as many cycles as you like ( there have been studies where women took them for two years without any longterm problems) but you may have to put up with the breakthrough bleeding which can occur. It tends to be light and short lived. Any longer bleeding may defeat the purpose and mean you have to go back to regular withdrawal bleeds for a while. Hope this helps