How To Skip Your Period With Birth Control Pills
Posted by south ave& filed under Birth Control, Women’s Health.
For some women, periods are just a minor annoyance. For others, it can disrupt their daily life with pain, heavy bleeding, and other nasty symptoms. No matter which category you fall into, its probably safe to say that you would choose not to get your period if you could. But what you may not know is that with hormonal birth control, skipping your period is actually an option!
IUDs, birth control shots, and birth control pills can all be used to stop your period. The advantage of the pill is that you can use it to plan when you want to skip or have your period. Heres what you need to know about it:
Why Women On The Pill Still Need To Have Their Periods
- Read in app
In the 1960s, manufacturers of the new birth-control pill imagined their ideal user as feminine, maternal and forgetful. She wanted discretion. She was married. And she wanted visible proof that her monthly cycle was normal and that she wasnt pregnant.
In 2019, the user of the pill is perceived as an altogether different person. Shes unwed, probably would prefer to skip her period and is more forthright about when its that time of the month. As such, many birth-control brands now come in brightly colored rectangular packs that make no effort to be concealed. But one part of the equation remains: the week of placebo pills, in which hormones are abruptly withdrawn and a woman experiences what looks and feels a lot like her regular period blood, cramps and all but isnt. Physicians have widely described this pseudoperiod as medically unnecessary. So why do millions still endure it? Thats largely the legacy of two men: John Rock and David Wagner.
Once the Dialpak went onto the market, it wasnt long before other companies realized that putting physical placebo pills into the regimen would simplify the user experience: In 1969, Searle released Ovulen-28, a monthly pack of pills that included 21 hormonal tablets, followed by a week of inert pills, and in 1971, Mead Johnsons Oracon-28 also came with the option of a week of placebo pills.
Are There Any Advantages To Skipping Your Period
Many women choose to skip their period with birth control to help manage menstrual symptoms, such as headaches/migraines, cramps, mood swings, and painful periods. It can also be very beneficial not to have a period if you have a condition that is worsened by it, such as endometriosis, PCOS, ovarian cysts, or anemia. Plus, skipping your period saves you money on menstrual products and is just more convenient for life in general.
Read Also: Employee Probationary Period Template
Which Birth Control Pills Are Best To Use For Skipping Periods
Medically reviewed by Jenny Ingle Pappas, MSN, APRN, FNP-C on December 21, 2020
Women who want to adjust the way they have their periods on birth control have a number of options. Women can decrease the frequency of their periods, reduce the length of their periods, or occasionally avoid their periods entirely by taking certain kinds of birth control pills or taking them in a certain way.
That said, not every birth control pill is designed to be used to skip periods. The formulas to use for this are monophasic combination pills, meaning those that contain both estrogen and progestin in the same amounts in every pill. Most packs of combination birth control pills contain 21 days of hormone-containing pills followed by 7 days worth of placebo pills its while taking the placebo pills that people have their periods.
Learn Which Forms Are Most Likely To Stop Menstruation And If Its Safe
There are many reasons for people to want to delay or skip a period. Some experience very heavy bleeding, painful cramping, or other severe symptoms during their menstrual cycle that they want to avoid. Other people choose to delay their monthly cycle for the sake of convenience, due to travel or other personal events.
But is it safe to skip a period? The short answer is yes, in most cases.
In this article, well review which forms of birth control can help prevent a period for days, weeks, months, or even longer, how to so safely, and other concerns.
Dont Miss: Can You Donate Plasma On Your Period
You May Like: Usaa Grace Period
Whats The Short Answer
Its common not to get a period after stopping the pill, explains Gil Weiss, MD, assistant professor of clinical medicine at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Illinois.
The phenomenon is called post-pill amenorrhea, Dr. Weiss continues. The pill suppresses your bodys normal production of hormones that are involved in your menstrual cycle.
He says it can take several months for your body to return to its normal production, and therefore several months for your period to return.
But, in some cases, there is another reason for late or missed periods.
It can be something as simple as lifestyle factors like stress or exercise. Or it could be an underlying condition like hypothyroidism.
Discover other factors that could be causing your post-pill period problem, and how to get your cycle back on track.
Stress can affect the delicate hormonal balance that controls your menstrual cycle.
Stress induces the hormone cortisol, says Kecia Gaither, MD, who specializes in OB-GYN and maternal fetal medicine.
This, she says, can interfere with the hormonal regulation of menses via the circuit between the brain, ovaries, and uterus.
Other symptoms of stress to look out for include muscle tension, headaches, and sleeplessness.
You may also experience signs of stomach discomfort such as bloating, or mood problems like sadness and irritability.
While small amounts of stress are unlikely to cause changes, long-term or significant stress levels can stop periods.
If You Use The Pill Or The Ring You Don’t Need Magic Powers To Control Your Menstrual Cycle
That weekend at the beach youve been looking forward to or the first day of school or a new job can be stressful times to have your period start, especially if your periods are painful. Wouldnt it be nice on days like those not to have to worry about pads, tampons, or pain killers? If you use the pill or the ring for birth control, you are in luckyou can skip periods as you please.
Don’t Miss: Brown Stuff Instead Of Period
How Can I Safely Skip My Period On Birth Control
There are many different combined hormonal birth control pills containing different types of synthetic hormones and doses. Some pills are monophasicâmeaning they have the same dose of hormones in each pill. Other pills are multiphasicâmeaning that the number of hormones in the pills changes throughout your pack. Your birth control package will indicate which kind of pill you have. You can choose to skip your âperiodâ on either type of pill, but itâs best to consult with your healthcare provider before you start.
If you are taking a monophasic combined hormonal birth control pill
Take your hormonally active pills as normal.
Once you reach your placebo pills , then simply skip over those and start your new pack the next day as Day 1.
Monophasic dose birth control pills allow flexibility since you can technically schedule your period for whenever you wish. You can stop taking your pill for a few days to have a withdrawal period . Note that this is considered âmissing two or more pillsâ even though you are missing them on purpose. Youâll need to use a backup birth control method for seven days to prevent pregnancy.
One study found that if you experience three days of consecutive breakthrough bleeding, choosing to start your period at that time would result in fewer bleeding days throughout the entire year .
If you are taking a multiphasic pill:
Take your hormonally active pills as normal.
Safety Of Skipping Periods With Birth Control
Its not surprising that in one study, 53% of women surveyed reported wanting to skip their periods completely. Many women like to skip periods occasionally, for reasons such as to avoid needing to pack tampons on a vacation. One thing to know is that it may not work to try to skip when first starting a pill most women need 2-3 months on a pill before skipping without spotting/breakthrough bleeding.
The only real risk to skipping periods is that it might take you longer to know if you do get accidentally get pregnant. When used correctly the pill is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy, so if youre taking your birth control on time every day you shouldnt have anything to worry about. And, the hormones themselves arent harmful early in pregnancy, but we want women who are pregnant or trying to conceive to take prenatal vitamins with folate to reduce birth defect risk and so its good to diagnosis pregnancy early.
The bottom line: There are no health risks associated with skipping periods on combined hormone birth control pills compared to having a week off the pills and bleeding every month, and more women would probably really like this option if they understood how safe it is. If you want to learn more, Nurx can help. Our medical team has lots of experience prescribing birth control to women who want to use it to skip their periods. They can help you find a method of contraception thats right for your body and lifestyle.
About the Author
Also Check: New Hire 90 Day-probationary Period Template
Learn Which Forms Are Most Likely To Stop Menstruation And If It’s Safe
There are many reasons for people to want to delay or skip a period. Some experience very heavy bleeding, painful cramping, or other severe symptoms during their menstrual cycle that they want to avoid. Other people choose to delay their monthly cycle for the sake of convenience, due to travel or other personal events.
But is it safe to skip a period? The short answer is yes, in most cases.
In this article, we’ll review which forms of birth control can help prevent a period for days, weeks, months, or even longer, how to so safely, and other concerns.
Is It Safe To Skip Periods On Birth Control
To get an expert answer to this frequently asked question we turned to Dr. Julie Graves, MD, MPH, PhD, a Family Medicine and Public Health doctor and Associate Clinical Director at Nurx.
We often hear this question from Nurx patients. The short answer? Yes! When oral contraceptives were first developed, the medical world more or less agreed that women could take the pill continuously without any serious side effects or risks, but the creators of the pill created a monthly cycle, complete with a period, anyway. For the history behind the pill and periods, and details on how to skip your period, read on.
Recommended Reading: 90 Day Probationary Period Template
Do I Get A Real Period On The Contraceptive Pill
Nope. The bleeding you get when youâre on the pill is not the same as a menstrual period.
Your period on the pill is technically called withdrawal bleeding, referring to the withdrawal of hormones in your pill, and in your body. The drop in hormone levels causes the lining of your uterus to shed . This bleeding may be slightly different than the period you had before taking the pill. It also may change over time while taking the pill.
2M+ ratings
Dont Miss: Period Blood Stains On Sheets
Can I Skip My Period While On Birth Control
The short answer: Yes!
Right at the beginning when oral contraceptives were first invented, medical experts more or less agreed that women could take the pill continuously without any serious risks or side effects. However, the creators of the pill introduced the cyclic regimen to resemble a monthly cycle, because they thought it would feel more natural and reassure women that they werent pregnant.
What this means is that if you want to skip your period, whether just once for a special occasion or every month, you absolutely can!
Advantages to Skipping Periods While Using Birth Control
Decades of contraceptive use has shown that skipping periods on the pill is not only safe but can also have several advantages. For some women, the drop in hormones that accompanies the placebo pill week and period brings on bad menstrual migraines, mood swings, or endometriosis symptoms. So its not surprising that in one study, 53% of women surveyed reported wanting to skip their periods completely. Other women like to skip periods occasionally for example, to avoid packing tampons on a vacation.
You can prevent your period by skipping the placebo pills in a pack of birth control and starting the active pills of the next pack. Or, if you use the birth control patch or the ring, apply a new patch or insert a new ring for the last week of your cycle, when you would ordinarily go patch- or ring-free and have a period.
Bleeding While Using Birth Control
Recommended Reading: Dark Brown Discharge Instead Of Period
How To Skip Your Period Without Birth Control
Well start by saying that none of the natural methods mentioned below are proven scientifically to delay or stop your period from coming. That said, some women swear by these methods, and if youre not going the birth control route anyway, you really have nothing to lose by trying them.
- Apple cider vinegar
A week before your period is meant to arrive, start consuming three teaspoons of apple cider vinegar three times a day. People claim that this can delay your period for about a week.
- Gelatin
Empty a packet of gelatin into a cup with warm water and mix to dissolve well. Drink immediately. This may delay your period for a few hours.
- Lemon
Lemon may delay your period or lighten your flow. Cut a lemon up into wedges and chew or suck on it to keep Aunt Flo at bay.
- Gram lentils
Lentils are considered a traditional remedy for warding off a period. First, fry the lentils until they become soft and then grind them into a powder. Use the powder to make a soup by simply adding hot water. Eat the soup on an empty stomach every morning starting a week before the first day of your expected period.
There are so many wonderful things about being a woman, but some may argue that having a monthly period is not one of them. There are a lot of reasons that women may choose to skip their periods medical, social, or personal.
How To Keep Track Of Your Menstrual Cycle
You can use a menstrual tracker like Flo to keep track of your cycle. Period tracking apps let you log your symptoms and determine when you should expect your period. This can also take some weight off your mind, since you wont have to remember when your period is due to arrive. The app will do it for you!
Overall, as long as youre taking it correctly, birth control is highly effective at preventing pregnancy and those missed periods can happen now and again.
If youre not sure, take a pregnancy test to ease your mind. Adding some relaxing activities to your life and staying healthy can help get your cycle back to normal.
References
You May Like: 90 Probationary Period Employment Form