Being On Birth Control Pills Comes With A Lot Of Questions Especially About Having Or Not Having A Period We Got An Expert To Answer Them For You
| Listen to this article |
They say all that glitters is not gold. And we say, all that bleeds is not a period. You heard it, ladies. Were straight-up calling your monthlies a big, fat lieif you are on a hormonal birth control pill, that is.
Youre probably wondering, why?
Women who do not consume oral contraceptive pills release an egg as a part of their monthly ovulation cycle due to the naturally-occurring hormonal fluctuations in their bodies, says Dr Neema Sharma, director of the obstetrics and gynaecology department, Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj, Delhi.
Needless to say, when this egg isnt fertilised by a sperm, it breaks down and exits your body. Hence, you get your period. However, if a woman is consuming oral contraceptives regularly and religiously, her natural hormones are suppressed and as a result, there are no indigenous hormones, she adds.
She further explains that when a woman enters the no-pill interval of 7 days after consuming pills for 21 days continuously, the level of hormones in her body decline.
The result?
Firstly, you wont ovulate The natural fluctuation of hormones in the body of a woman who is not on the pill is what causes ovulation, a process in which the ovaries release an egg every month. With the absence of indigenous hormones in the case of a woman who consumes oral contraceptives, ovulation does not take place, Dr Sharma explains.
Says Dr Sharma:
Why Is My Bleeding Different On The Contraceptive Pill
The contraceptive pill prevents the lining of your uterus from growing thicker, as it would in a typical menstrual cycle . It also prevents ovulation and the typical cycling of reproductive hormones. When you have withdrawal bleeding, the bleeding tends to be lighter than normal menstrual bleeding.
Itâs also possible to have no withdrawal bleeding or only spotting during the days you take inactive pills . This is more common for people taking higher doses of estrogen, or a pill with a shorter hormone-free interval .
What Can You Do To Help Regulate Or Relieve Your Symptoms
Theres lots you can do!
You might not be able to cure PMS, but you might be able to manage your symptoms with a few lifestyle tweaks and over-the-counter treatments.
If you havent tried them already, one or more of the following might help:
Birth control is mostly well tolerated. Even though side effects can happen, theyre generally mild. They tend to resolve within 2 to 3 months once your body adjusts to the hormones.
The side effects you might notice after starting hormonal birth control include:
Barrier methods arent as effective as hormonal methods, but theyre still great options when used correctly. Plus, you can double-up barriers for extra protection. No, we dont mean wearing two condoms at once. Think: condoms plus spermicide.
If youre ready for a permanent solution, talk with a healthcare professional about tubal ligation or vasectomy.
Don’t Miss: Birth Control That Makes Your Period Stop
Will Birth Control Make My Period Stop
if I get on birth control will i stop getting my period?
It depends on what kind of birth control you use and how you use it. In general, women who use the IUD, patch, pill, or ring will have menstrual periods every month. Women who take the shot may not have periods often or at all while they use the method. Some women use combined-hormone methods the pill and the vaginal ring to skip periods.
Combination pills, for example, usually come in 28-day packs and are taken without interruption. The first 21 pills in the pack are called active they contain hormones that prevent pregnancy. The last seven pills in the pack are called reminder pills. Theyre inactive placebos that do not contain hormones. Theyre taken during the fourth week to let a woman have her period and to help her keep the habit of taking a pill on a regular basis.
Some women choose to skip placebo pills and go right into the next pack to avoid having a period continuously or during certain events like their vacations, for example. They may still experience some spotting light bleeding when they do this.
Tags:birth control, menstruation, periods
Planned Parenthood delivers vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of people worldwide. Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. is a registered 501 nonprofit under EIN 13-1644147. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable under the law.
Will Taking Two Birth Control Pills In One Day Stop Your Period
Taking more than the prescribed number of pills in one day is not going to stop your period right away. Depending on how many you take, it may cause you to feel sick, but its not going to magically make your period disappear.
In fact, Dr. Dweck says there are instances in which taking two pills in one day is recommended to catch up for a missed pill. But whether or not it will eventually stop your period depends on your individual circumstances. Some people will have irregular bleeding after taking two pills, while others will remain on schedule, Dr. Dweck explains.
Read Also: Why Did I Get My Period Twice In One Month
Recommended Reading: If Not Pregnant After Ivf When Does Period Start
Is Prolonged Bleeding Normal After Starting Birth Control
Q: Is it natural to have prolonged periods after just starting birth control? I started taking the pill when I started my period and it still persists.
A: Irregular bleeding is the most common side effect of birth control pills. It is especially common during the first three months as your body adjusts to the hormones in the medication. However, other things can cause prolonged bleeding too. If the bleeding is especially heavy , persists throughout the whole month or occurs only with intercourse especially if youve stopped using condoms you should see your womens health care provider to make sure nothing more serious is going on.
The most common cause of irregular bleeding is missed pills, so make sure you are taking the pill every day, and at the same time every day.
Birth control pills can cause a lot of other side effects, especially bloating, nausea and breast tenderness. Most side effects resolve after a few months, but the clinicians in our Womens Services Department usually recommend that you check in with your health care provider after your first 3 months on the pill to make sure everything is going OK. If you have any questions or concerns about birth control, theyre happy to answer them for you.
John A. Vaughn, MD
A Code Red For Code Red Rubys Still Mia
If you havent missed any of your pills but your period still stood you up, pregnancy isnt likely.
It may be the hormones in the pill. If you miss a second or third period, its worth it to take a pregnancy test or check with your doctor to make sure everythings all right down there. Especially if youre sexually active.
Once you know whats blocking your lunar flow, there are options to get your cycle back on track:
- Eat well and be healthy about weight management.
- Exercise regularly and amp up training at a manageable pace for your body.
- Relieve stress with yoga, walking, journaling, meditation, or breathing exercises.
Dont Miss: New Hire 90 Day-probationary Period Template
You May Like: Good Foods To Eat On Your Period
What Are The Risks Of A Birth Control Implant
You may have an allergic reaction to the implant. The implant may be inserted in the wrong area or too deep and may need to be removed. You may become pregnant if the implant is not placed correctly. You may have pain, numbness, bruising, or bleeding at the site. You may get an infection. You may have changes to your monthly period, such as how long and how much you bleed. Your period may stop. You may have headaches, mood changes, acne, breast pain, abdominal discomfort, and some weight gain. You may also be at increased risk for a blood clot. A birth control implant does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Certain medicines can prevent the implant from working correctly.
How Does The Implant Work
The birth control implant is a tiny, thin rod about the size of a matchstick. Its also called Nexplanon and theres a slightly older version called Implanon. A doctor inserts the implant under the skin of your upper arm. It releases the hormone progestin to stop you from getting pregnant.
The hormones in the birth control implant prevent pregnancy in two ways:
-
Progestin thickens the mucus on your cervix, which stops sperm from swimming through to your egg. When sperm cant meet up with an egg, pregnancy cant happen.
-
Progestin can also stop eggs from leaving your ovaries , so theres no egg to fertilize. When eggs arent released, you cant get pregnant.
One of the awesome things about the implant is that it lasts for a long time up to 5 years but its not permanent. If you decide you want to get pregnant or you just dont want to have your implant anymore, your doctor can take it out. Youre able to get pregnant quickly after the implant is removed. You can keep track of your insertion and removal dates using our birth control app.
You May Like: New Hire 90 Day-probationary Period Template
You May Like: Periodic Table Of Elements Shower Curtain
If You Do Not Want To Get Pregnant
If you dont want to get pregnant, you shouldnt rely on your lack of menstrual cycles as birth control. This is true even if youve been previously diagnosed as infertile .
As mentioned above, depending on why youre not getting your periods, its possible to ovulate and not get a period first as an indication that youre fertile again. Talk to your doctor about the best contraceptive choice for you.
Recommended Reading: Do You Get Cramps On Your First Period
Whats The Difference Between Perimenopause And Menopause
Perimenopause is menopauses opening act. Its the time leading up to menopause when your hormones begin to change. Youll still have periods during this time, but they become more irregular. Perimenopause usually begins about 4-8 years before menopause. For most women, perimenopause starts in their 40s, but some women experience perimenopause in their late 30s.
Menopause is the final period you have its the curtain closing, so to speak. When you havent had a period in 12 months, youre in menopause. The average age women experience menopause is 50, though some women may go into menopause in their late 40s. Everything after that is post-menopause.
Don’t Miss: Why Is My Period So Heavy And Clotty
Top Things To Know About Your Period On The Pill:
-
Your âperiodâ on the contraceptive pill is actually called withdrawal bleeding. It happens when the levels of hormones in your pills drop.
-
Withdrawal bleeding is usually lighter and slightly different than the period you had before taking the pill
-
Some people experience only very light bleeding or donât bleed at all during placebo pill days
-
Your bleeding on the pill is likely to change over time
Do you get a period on when youâre on the combined hormonal contraceptive pill*? On the days you take no pills or take the pills in your pack with no hormones, you may experience bleeding. This bleeding is different than a period if you weren’t taking the contraceptive pillâand you may have times when you bleed very little or not at all.
*This article refers to the use of combined hormonal contraceptive pills, which contain both estrogen and progestin . Bleeding patterns will be different for people taking the progestin-only minipill.
Why Is My Period Late
When taking hormonal birth control pills, your body no longer ovulates, and the lining of your uterus becomes thinner. As a result, your periods often become lighter and less painful, especially when taking birth control on a long-term basis. In some cases, women dont have much of the lining to shed. This can cause periods to stop coming.
Pregnancy is one reason you might skip a period or start later than usual. Excess stress is another reason, as it can impair the function of the hypothalamus, which is the part of your brain that manages the regulation of hormone production. Managing your stress more effectively and finding ways to lessen the stress in your life may help your period to come back and become more regular.
Changes to your eating habits can also impact your period, especially if you have lost weight quickly. If youre underweight, your body may stop ovulating to protect itself. Women with eating disorders are particularly at risk for irregular menstrual cycles or a lack of periods. Excessive exercise may also cause your period to stop coming, especially strenuous training or long-distance events.
Read Also: 90 Day Probationary Period Letter
Recommended Reading: How To Calculate When Next Period Is Due
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Associated With Hormonal Contraception
SARINA SCHRAGER, M.D., University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, Wisconsin
Am Fam Physician. 2002 May 15 65:2073-2081.
Abnormal uterine bleeding is a common side effect of all forms of hormonal contraception. Although this bleeding is rarely dangerous, many women find it worrisome. In fact, women frequently discontinue hormonal contraception because of irregular bleeding and other side effects.13 One study4 found that 32 percent of 1,657 women who started taking oral contraceptive pills discontinued them within six months 46 percent of the discontinuations were due to side effects.
Most women who discontinue hormonal contraception do not use another contraceptive method and are therefore at high risk for unintended pregnancy. An estimated one third of the 3 million unintended pregnancies in the United States each year are related to the misuse or discontinuation of OCPs.5
Read Also: Lexapro And Birth Control Pills
The Ins And Outs Of Period Sex
So now we know it is possible to get pregnant on your period, its important you take the right precautions. When used correctly, barrier methods such as the condom are very effective at preventing pregnancy and also offer protection against STIs.
While many may think its gross or messy, having sex on your period is perfectly healthy and lots of women swear by it for a number of reasons. Due to a dip in progesterone, you may find your sex drive increases around menstruation. On top of this, orgasms can alleviate period cramps and cause the uterus to contract more, which in the end can mean shorter periods too.
While you might be expecting a Stephen King-style horror scene, you may actually be surprised by how little menstrual blood there is. The heaviness of your period is a very personal thing that varies from cycle to cycle, however, the average woman will only produce 6-8 teaspoons worth of blood during her entire period. That being said, you might want to have an extra towel on hand, or suggest things get steamy in the shower.
Don’t Miss: Why Have I Been On My Period For A Month
Should I Take Pills To Regulate My Period
I’m 15 and I have irregular periods. I have been told by people similar to me that they are given pills to help regulate their periods. I am unsure on whether I should go on them and I’m scared of the side effects. Do these pills work and what are some of the side effects? Are there any other ways to help regulate a period? – Nikeyah*
It’s normal to have irregular periods for the first few years of menstruating. Several things can cause irregular periods, including changing hormone levels. Doctors sometimes prescribe birth control pills to regulate periods because they can help control hormone levels.
Birth control pills can have some side effects, like nausea, possible weight gain, headaches, mood changes, breast tenderness, and blood clots. But most young women who take it have no side effects or very few. Girls who take the Pill should not smoke because smoking can increase the risk of some side effects, like blood clots.
Birth control pills can be an effective way to regulate periods. But the only way to find out what’s causing your irregular periods is to visit your doctor.
Note: The Pill does not protect you from STDs. So, if you do have sex, be sure to use a condom every time. This will help prevent STDs and give you extra protection against pregnancy.
*Names have been changed to protect user privacy.
Why Do I Have An Early Period On The Pill
If you are using oral contraceptives then you should not be alarmed with frequent breakthrough bleeding . It usually has a brown color, which is a sign of old blood and is perfectly normal. However, if bleeding does not stop then it is better to visit a doctor and rule out the possibility of infection.
Early period on the pill can occur occasionally and it means that there has been a drop in your hormone level. You can continue taking the pill but if you wish to remain protected from being pregnant then it is best to make use of condoms too during this period. Call your doctor if the bleeding continues to happen, as you might have to change the birth control pill you are using. Another reason for the bleeding can be a small infection or inflammation.
When Is It Serious?
Vaginal bleeding while being on the pill can be caused because of a sexually transmitted disease like Chlamydia or gonorrhea as well. You can contract an STD if you have unprotected sex with someone who has tested positive for either of these diseases. Vaginal bleeding can also be caused because of other disorders like fibroids or tumor as well. Tumors need to be checked out immediately because it is quite possible that it is cancerous.
Also Check: Can Birth Control Help Period Cramps