How To Skip A Period On Birth Control

Medically reviewed by Sophia Yen, MD, MPH – Written by Pandia Health Editorial Team

Dr. Sophia Yen , CEO & co-founder of Pandia Health, often talks nearly how to cease your period when on the birth control pill. But do you know how to put this into practise? Read on to learn more than about how to safely skip your menstruation using birth control.

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Is it safe to skip your menses?

Contrary to pop conventionalities, it is prophylactic and practical for people with uteri to stop their periods when taking nascence control. It is ofttimes believed that the uterine lining thickens and needs to be shed, and then not having a period will atomic number 82 to a dangerous build upward. However, this is non the case when the individual takes hormonal birth command.

The bleeding that occurs when an individual takes nascence command (usually during the days in which they take the placebo pill) is actually a withdrawal bleed , which is unlike from a period. This bleed is acquired past the drop in hormones, rather than the shedding of the uterine lining. Furthermore, it is non medically necessary to feel this while taking birth control.

Why practise most pill packs take a row of placebo pills?

One of the inventors of the birth command pill, Dr. John Rock wanted women to have a period every month. It wasn't until two of the co-founders questioned why this was necessary that skipping periods was even considered. However, Dr. Rock was insistent that those with uteri bleed every month because he believed that the Catholic Church would be more accepting if he kept it at status quo. He won the argument, and as a effect, the placebo row is now included in most pill packs.

Thankfully, nascency control pill users can but skip the row of placebo pills and start their next pack as soon every bit they complete their electric current pack.

What are the benefits of skipping your period?

Skipping your catamenia non only helps improve general well-being, but also long-term reproductive health. Non to mention the fact that period products are plush and often harmful to the environment !

In terms of well-being, skipping your flow decreases symptoms associated with bleeding – cramps, bloating, headaches, anemia, acne, embarrassment… and that is just to proper noun a few. Additionally, choosing not to bleed every month could atomic number 82 to a lower adventure of developing endometrial and ovarian cancers past changing the susceptibility of cells to infection. Lastly, by not having to purchase period products every bit often, you relieve money and contribute less to pollution (most pads and tampons finish up in landfills).

While skipping your period is safe, yous should talk to a doctor before starting the process to ensure that it's the correct decision for y'all. For instance, information technology is recommended that individuals who have been menstruating for less than two years keep getting a catamenia, as they are likely still growing and estrogen could impact their height.

birth control

How to skip your period

To safely skip your period you can use:

1. The birth control pill.

2. The band like NuvaRing

iii. The birth control patch like Twirla or Xulane (can only employ for 12 weeks in a row max)

4. The hormonal IUDs (30% risk of no periods).

5. Implant nascence command like Nexplanon

vi. The shot has a 75% chance of no periods after 3 shots.

How to skip your flow taking the pill

Skipping your period when taking the pill is super simple. Afterwards you finish the iii rows of agile pills, skip the row of placebo pills and motility on to your next pack. Typically, the last row contains sugar or iron pills , which are a different colour than the hormone pills.

The first time you try this, y'all may experience breakthrough bleeding after a few months. This is usually harmless and does not mean that your nascence control is no longer effective. If quantum haemorrhage occurs, stop taking the hormone pills for five days. During this time, you'll have a withdrawal bleed as a issue of the change in hormones – this will reset your uterus. On day six, regardless of whether yous're still haemorrhage, restart the hormone pills.

After your offset breakthrough drain occurs, y'all will likely go a longer stretch without having it once more. As long as you keep taking active pills, you can eventually turn off your flow. That being said, every person with a uterus is different and thus, might have a different experience .

Making #PeriodsOptional with other types of nascency control

It is possible to skip your period with birth command methods other than the pill including the patch and the ring. Those who accept an IUD or implant may besides detect lighter periods, if any.

The Ring

NuvaRing is a small, flexible band that gets placed inside the vaginal culvert to release hormones that prevent pregnancy. Information technology is worn for three to five weeks at a time and is typically followed by a seven-day pause when a withdrawal bleed occurs. In order to avoid this bleed, just skip the break and put in your new ring immediately afterwards you terminate your concluding i.

The Patch

The patch is a gummy tab containing hormones that is placed somewhere on the skin (i.e. your arm, back, stomach, or butt). It is worn for seven days and then replaced for two additional weeks. The fourth week usually entails a menstruation, in which case the patch is non placed on the skin. If you exercise not want to bleed, skip the break and put on your new patch each week. It is of import to note, however, that y'all should not skip your period for more than than 12 weeks in a row while on the patch, as this can increase your chance of developing blood clots .

The Hormonal IUD

With the hormonal IUD , a small, flexible device that is inserted into the uterus, many individuals observe lighter periods. Yet, this is unpredictable because each person with a uterus responds differently. On the "regular strength" IUDs (Mirena/Liletta) twenty-50% of individuals stop haemorrhage altogether.

The Implant

A like percentage of individuals who use the implant , a sparse rod that is placed inside the arm, terminate bleeding monthly. However, it is more mutual for individuals to drain irregularly and somewhen feel lighter periods.

What's the takeaway?

Skipping your menstruum is now easier than ever with the help of hormonal birth control. With that said, it is still necessary to communicate with your healthcare provider so they can prescribe you the correct amount of medication. Thankfully, under the Affordable Intendance Human action, almost insurance plans should cover the extras.

How can Pandia Wellness assist?

Speaking of skipping your catamenia, Pandia Wellness promotes making #PeriodsOptional by educating people with uteri on the benefits of non haemorrhage every month. We farther promote this bulletin by providing a FREE delivery service to all 50 states. You can transfer a electric current prescription to our pharmacy and have information technology shipped right to your mailbox. Nosotros know you have #BetterThingsToDo than making an extra trip to the chemist's shop.

Ofttimes Asked Questions

Does birth control terminate your period?

Nearly birth control methods brand your flow lighter, while others stop information technology altogether when certain measures are taken. With the pill, patch, and band, you can choose to skip your period by taking the medication continuously. The implant and the IUD may cause monthly bleeds to disappear, but in nearly cases, they will make your periods much lighter and more manageable.

How tin can I skip my catamenia with birth control?

Each nascence command method varies in terms of its timeline, so the way yous skip your period may be different depending on which blazon you lot're on. With the pill, simply skip the last row and movement on to your next pack. As for the patch and ring, you can skip the recommended week off and offset your next prescription right away. But brand certain to consult your doctor if you lot programme to do this so they can prescribe the correct corporeality of medication.

What is norethisterone?

Norethisterone is the synthetic version of progesterone, which is a hormone that occurs naturally in our bodies. During the menstrual cycle, progesterone levels decline, which causes the uterine lining to shed (a.k.a a menstruation). If norethisterone is taken, the levels do not refuse, preventing menstruation. While this medication is effective at stopping periods, it can lead to side effects. Furthermore, you should consult a doctor if y'all're interested in trying norethisterone.

Watch our CEO/Co-Founder Dr. Sophia Yen's TED's talk on making #PeriodsOptional, the scientific discipline and safety of #FewerPeriods #NoPeriods

Disclaimer: The above information is for full general advisory purposes only and is Not a substitute for professional person medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor/principal care provider earlier starting or changing treatment.