What Are The Benefits Of Combination Pills
You have less than a 1% chance of getting pregnant if you use them exactly as directed. That means taking your pill every day. Their effects are easy to reverse, too. When you want to get pregnant, stop taking them. Itâs possible to get pregnant right away.
Usually, if you miss two of these pills in a row, youâll need to use backup birth control for a week.
Combo pills have benefits beyond birth control.
- They help regulate your period and lessen cramping.
- They can lower your risk of certain cancers.
- They might clear your acne.
- Two brands are approved to treat a severe form of premenstrual syndrome.
How Does Birth Control Work And Which Ones Can Stop Your Period
There are tons of options for preventing pregnancy, but not all types of birth control can reduce or delay a period. For the highest likelihood of sending your monthly visitor packing, youll need to use a hormonal birth control method. Some birth control types are progestin-only, while others contain both progestin and estrogen.
So, which types of birth control will definitely stop your period? Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Some people will continue to get a regular period, while others will experience a decrease in flow and duration or see it disappear entirelyas long as they are on birth control. That said, James Gohar, MD, an ob-gyn at Mount Sinai West and New York-Presbyterian Hospital and clinical instructor at Weill Cornell School of Medicine, tells SELF that combination birth control , hormonal IUDs, and injections have the highest potential to stop your period altogether, but this is not a guarantee. The majority of people will still get a period, but significantly shorter and lighter, he explains.
Lets walk through how each type of hormonal birth control works, and talk about their period-poofing potential:
My Periods Are Irregular Will Birth Control Pills Help
My mom and I have been worried about my irregular periods. It has been 4years since the age of onset . Therefore we were thinking about birth control pills. But we have no clue which brand or type to take. So, I was wondering if I can goto a planned parenthood center near where I live. What I have to do in order to get help there.
Not only do birth control pills make your period regular, but they help with menstrual cramps and often make periods lighter, too. And your local Planned Parenthood can definitely help you find the right pill for you. Its as simple as calling them to make an appointment, or making an appointment online.
Irregular periods are super common, especially for teens. Menstrual cycles can be as short as 21 days or longer than 35. Changes from month to month are also normal.
Your health can affect how often you get your period. Strict dieting, exercising a lot, and sudden weight gain or loss can make your periods irregular, or even stop. Stress, being sick, and taking certain medicines can also affect your period.
Tags:irregular periods, menstruation, periods, the pill
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.
You May Like: How To Count Next Period Date
How Much Does It Cost
When budgeting for birth control, be sure to factor in the cost of the drug or device, along with any related doctors appointments.
You might be able to get your birth control for a lot less or even for free depending on:
- where you live
- whether you have health insurance
- if you qualify for Medicaid or another government program
Can Hormonal Contraceptives Be Part Of A Menorrhagia Treatment Plan
Hormonal contraceptives help to lower overall bleeding episodes. Because of this, hormonal contraception may be especially helpful as part of menorrhagia treatment.
Plus, these birth control methods are a reversible and have less serious side effects than other treatment options. The alternative menorrhagia treatment is a surgical procedure called endometrial ablation. This procedure leads to sterilization.
You may have chosen to use hormonal birth control methods because it is effective and easy of use. But hormonal birth control has non-contraceptive benefits as well, one of which is that certain formulations can be part of a menorrhagia treatment plan.
Also Check: What To Do When Your Girlfriend Is On Her Period
You May Like: How Can You Ovulate Without A Period
Reasons For A Missed Period On Birth Control
There can be a number of reasons that a person can miss a period while on hormonal birth control.
It is considered abnormal to go more than 90 days without a period unless a person is pregnant, going through menopause, or breastfeeding.
People may miss periods or they may stop getting a period entirely for a variety of reasons, including a change in birth control methods, stress, exercise, changes to diet, hormonal imbalances, and pregnancy.
Which Birth Control Is The Best For Acne
A dermatologist may prescribe birth control or oral contraceptive pills to treat acne. This is especially done when conventional methods such as topical creams and oral medications such as antibiotics have failed and other underlying conditions have been ruled out. Hormonal imbalance is generally associated with acne, and oral contraceptive pills help correct that issue. You must take the pills only under a doctors guidance because they may cause side effects such as blood clots, onset of migraines, heart diseases, and high blood pressure, especially in women with certain risk factors .
You May Like: Light Bleeding A Week Before Period
What Does Perimenopause Mean
When your periods stop completely, its called menopause. Perimenopause means around the time of menopause. The peri-menopausal years are the few years before your periods stop. The timing of menopause is different for each woman. Although some women stop having periods in their 30s, the average age is the early 50s. So, peri-menopausal women are usually in their 40s or early 50s.
Dont Miss: I Know I Ovulated But My Period Is Late
What Are The Types Of Birth Control For Pcos
Hormonal birth control is commonly prescribed for people with PCOS as it addresses a number of the disorders symptoms. The advantages of hormonal birth control for treating PCOS include regulating periods, reducing menstrual bloating and cramps, decreasing acne, and curbing excess body hair.
There are some disadvantages of hormonal birth control. First, both PCOS and hormonal contraceptives put you at a higher risk for blood clots. Depending on your current health and medical history, this can make going on birth control too risky.
And, since all hormonal birth control contains progestin and some progestins mimic androgens more than others, taking birth control with those types of progestins could worsen your symptoms. Choose a birth control option with low-androgenic activity when first starting out to see how your body responds.
If you and your healthcare provider decide that hormonal birth control is the right decision for you, here are some of the options to choose from.
Oral contraceptives
Known more commonly as the pill, oral contraceptives come in two types:
- Combination contains both estrogen and progestin
- Progestin-only contains only progestin
Combination pills are the most common option to help with PCOS symptoms. For those who experience adverse reactions to estrogen though, the progestin pill may be a better choice.
Skin patch
Intrauterine device and Depo-Provera shot
Don’t Miss: Can You Treat Yeast Infection While On Period
Do Birth Control Pills Help With Acne
Breakouts happen to everyone. Most women notice a couple of pimples popping up near their periods. When facials, face masks and cleansers dont help, you might be surprised to find out that birth control pills can.
The ovaries produce a hormone called androgen. Androgen helps produce oils on the skin. If you produce higher than average levels of androgen or are more sensitive to androgens in the blood, this can cause frequent breakouts.
Combination birth control pills can help lower the amount of androgen you produce, which can help reduce hormonal acne.
Enjoy Pineapples And Papayas
Theres some talk that pineapple and papaya may help regulate periods.
- Papaya contains carotene, a nutrient that supports estrogen levels. This tropical fruit may also help the uterus contract.
- Pineapples contain the enzyme bromelain, which may help with blood flow and generation of red and white blood cells.
Both are healthy whole foods that are worth including in your diet regardless of their effects.
Certain supplements may promote menstrual regularity by supporting your hormone levels or addressing nutritional deficiencies.
You should always talk to a healthcare provider before taking any supplement.
Although supplements are available over the counter without a prescription from your doctor, they arent regulated by the Food and Drug Administration . This means they dont have to be proven safe and effective before being sold in stores.
Some supplements can also interact with underlying health conditions, as well as over-the-counter and prescription medications. In addition, some supplements may not be safe to take if youre pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Also Check: How Long After Ovulation Does Your Period Start
How Can I Find The Right Solution For Me
Different women experience their periods differently, and the amount of menstrual blood they lose can vary naturally from month to month. But the amount of stress caused by heavy periods can only be determined by the woman herself: Whereas some women who have heavy periods may not think its a big problem, others already feel very uncomfortable with less heavy periods.
Its important to first have a doctor look for possible causes of the heavy periods. In most cases you can then take your time to decide whether to start treatment and consider which of the treatment options is right for you. If youre not sure, it may be a good idea to get a second medical opinion especially if a hysterectomy has been recommended. Our decision aid may help here. It briefly summarizes the main pros and cons of the different treatments.
When Should I See My Doctor About Irregular Bleeding
Since every womans body reacts differently to these birth control methods, it can be hard to know when irregular bleeding is abnormal. You should see your doctor if you experience abnormal bleeding:
- And are pregnant
- And have a lot of pain during your period
- After intercourse
- And you have been using the same method of birth control for more than three months
- That is unexpected
- And you are younger than 8 years old or have no other signs of puberty and have vaginal bleeding
You should also see your doctor if you are taking a combined contraceptive pill and your periods have stopped completely during the week of placebo pills, although in many cases this can be normal.
There are treatments available for irregular bleeding that can help, or your doctor may recommend changes to your birth control method.
Also Check: After Your Period How Many Days To Ovulation
How Can Perimenopausal Women Benefit From Low
Low-dose birth control can be implemented both to prevent pregnancy and alleviate symptoms of perimenopause. Although low dose birth control is typically not recommended for individuals under the age of 30 because it can decrease bone density, it may have the opposite effect for those going through perimenopause. This is especially important, as the risk of osteoporosis increases with age. Low dose birth control may also be implemented to help prevent ovarian and uterine cancers.
Dont Miss: Can You Donate Plasma On Your Period
Lower Your Risk Of Some Cancers
Taking birth control pills can raise your odds of getting some cancers but lower the chance youâll get others. Women who have taken birth control have a 30% to 50% lower risk of ovarian cancer than women who have never taken the pill. The longer you take it, the less likely you are to get this type of cancer. The lower risk lasts up to 30 years after you stop taking the pill.
Women who have taken birth control pills also have a lower risk of endometrial cancer than those who havenât. It lowers your odds of getting this type of cancer by at least 30%. The longer you take the pill, the more your risk goes down. This benefit also lasts for many years after you stop taking the pill. Growing evidence also suggests the pill may lower your risk of developing colorectal cancer while you take it.
Dont Miss: Can You Have Sex With A Period Cup In
Recommended Reading: What Are Signs Of My First Period
Birth Control Option #: Oral Contraceptives
The birth control pill is the most commonly used form of contraception in the United States. There are different types of contraceptive pills and they differ based on the amount of the hormones estrogen and progestin are in them. The combination birth control pill contains both estrogen and progestin whereas the mini pill contains only progestin. As you take either of these pills, your levels of estrogen and/or progestin increase in your body. High levels of these hormones prevent the ovary from releasing an egg.
The birth control pill is used to treat a number of conditions including PCOS, endometriosis, irregular periods, menstrual cramps and conditions that are caused by low levels of estrogen. As the pill prevents the ovary from releasing an egg, the pill can help reduce the development of cysts associated with PCOS. The hormones released by the pill also make the lining of the uterus thinner, which results in lighter periods. This is why the pill is also used as a treatment for endometriosis.
What Are The Potential Side Effects
You cant always predict if youll experience side effects. However, its important to be aware of the potential side effects of the method you choose.
If the side effects feel too uncomfortable or unmanageable for you, you can go off that form of contraception and use another one.
Some forms of hormonal birth control arent suitable for people with certain health conditions. Be sure to tell your physician or other care provider about your full medical history, including any underlying conditions or medications you take, so they can take this into consideration.
Dont Miss: How To Know When Your Getting Your Period
Also Check: Is It Possible To Miss A Period For A Month
Birth Control Options To Regulate Periods
There is no exact method to choosing a birth control option to regulate periods. Some are better for women with heavy bleeding, and they are specified below, but in general, use of a specific type is generally based on personal preference and what you and your doctor decide is best for your reproductive health.
Some Women Can Improve Breakthrough Bleeding On Their Own
Quitting smoking can help. So can taking birth control pills at the same time each day.
If youre getting continuous hormones with birth control pills or the ring, try scheduling a period every few months. This gives the uterus a chance to shed any built-up lining. It can help reduce irregular spotting and bleeding.
You May Like: When Do You Stop Having Periods
Does Birth Control Affect Infertility 4 Facts You Need To Know
A popular belief is that birth control can have long-term effects on fertility. This is not true. One large study evaluated women who had been using birth control for 7 years. After stopping birth control, 21% of these women were able to get pregnant within the first month, and almost 80% were able to conceive within a year. So why does the myth persist that birth control affects fertility?
Things You Should Know About Hormonal Birth Control
While it may give you a number of benefits, hormonal birth control can increase your risk for certain medical conditions such as a blood clot, heart attack, stroke, or breast cancer.
Before you take estrogen-containing pills, talk to your doctor. You should not use them if you smoke or have a history of estrogen-related cancer.
Because hormonal birth control options regulate your period if you have heavy or irregular bleeding, they may at times mask or hide symptoms of perimenopause or menopause.
Combined hormone pills can lead to something called withdrawal bleeding. This is when you bleed even after youâve reached menopause. Withdrawal bleeding can make it hard for you or your doctor to figure out if youâre approaching menopause or already have it.
Read Also: Can You Get On Birth Control While On Your Period
The Ring Is Convenient
Using the birth control ring is easy and convenient. Its great for people who dont want to deal with taking a pill every day, or who dont want to use birth control that you have to think about right before you have sex.
Depending on how you use it, you only have to think about your ring once or twice a month, when youre inserting and removing it. But always remembering to put a new ring in on time can be hard. Use our birth control reminder app to keep you on schedule.
The ring is birth control you dont have to think about during sex. If you use the ring correctly, youre protected from pregnancy all day, every day. Many people say the ring makes their sex lives better because they dont have to worry about birth control or pregnancy during sex.
You need a prescription from a nurse or doctor to get the ring. But depending on where you live, you might be able to get a prescription online or through a telehealth visit.
If you use NuvaRing, you may be able to pick up several rings at once or have them mailed to you every month. And Annovera is extra convenient because 1 ring lasts for 1 year that means you only need to worry about getting your birth control once a year.