Delaying Periods In Different Ways Using Hormonal Birth Control

Periods or menses might just be the only consistent occurrence in a woman’s life. But just like everything else, they differ from one person to another. It’s no easy feat to bleed for 7 days a month, every month. And some of us suffer from irregular periods, PMS, PCOS, and so on.

While they are an unfortunate monthly reality, you may like to have some power over them when your period makes an appearance. Using any of the multitudes of contraceptives available to avoid your periods, according to experts, is generally harmless and carries almost no complications. Let’s look into the how’s and why’s in detail.

How Does Birth Control Work On Pausing Your Periods?

Conventional methods of contraception were made so as to replicate a general monthly cycle. In that case, only 21 of the 28 tablets in a pill pack are operational, having hormones that lessen down your body fertility. The leftover seven tablets are ineffectual, causing withdrawal bleeding, which is your body’s reaction to halting the induced hormones.

If you choose to prevent the withdrawal bleeding, you forego the placebo tablets and begin your new pack right away. Withdrawal bleeding is not a necessity for your body to remain healthy and is very different from your menstrual bleeding.

Various Types of Birth Control

Contraceptives can be used in a variety of methods to stop menstruation for different time periods. Delaying or preventing your monthly cycles is called menstrual suppression by doctors.

For a long-term pause, some measures show more efficiency than others. The preferred approach is determined by your preferences as well as your overall health. It is best to consult your OB-GYN for any of the methods given below.

1. Birth Control Pills: These pills aim to minimize the chances of you getting pregnant by halting ovulation and inducing modifications in your uterus and cervical mucus. They contain synthetic hormones, which are progestin and estrogen, which are also female sex hormones.

Many pills have similar hormone doses for 3 weeks, followed by 1 week of placebo doses. After 21 days, you can begin the fresh pack of pills and continue taking them till you are prepared for your cycle. Based on your medical history and age range, the OB-GYN can prescribe the best contraceptive pills to you.

2. Intrauterine device (IUD): An IUD is a long-term approach. Medicated IUDs inject progestin from a small device implanted into your uterus by a doctor or nurse. An IUD can last for five years in the uterus. Within 6 months of having an implant, almost half of them will no longer experience their menstrual cycles.

The advantage of IUDs is that you don’t have to remember anything scheduled. Hormonal IUDs naturally lessen menstrual bleeding, gradually over time. A high-dose IUD, on the other hand, provides better results in completely pausing menstruation.

3. Birth Control Shot: One of the efficient ways to pause your menstruation is by using injections. Bleeding at first is usual and halts shortly, hence putting a stop to your periods.

After a year of application, 75% of women have had no periods, though withdrawal bleeding is possible.
Keep in mind, shots should be administered every 12 weeks. Additionally, busy women do not have time to see their doctor as regularly as they should, so this method is not for them.

4. Vaginal Rings: Vaginal rings are thin plastic rings that carry the very same hormones as oral contraception. You just place the ring in for three weeks to pause your menstruation and then continue replacing it with a fresh one.
Vaginal rings deliver a more consistent supply of hormones in your body as compared to others.

Annovera is a form of a vaginal ring that can be left in place for close to a year. You can consult your doctor if you think this is a convenient strategy for you.

To buy vaginal ring such as nuvaring online at a discounted price, please visit our website.

5. Contraceptive Patches: This form for contraception works in the same way as tablets, with a 21-day cycle of hormones followed by a week’s break. The patch can be stuck on your stomach, back, or upper arm. 21 days later, you apply another hormonal patch to halt your menstruation.

Long-term usage of patches could increase the risk of deep vein clots so, be careful while opting for this method of delaying your periods.

Are Birth Control Methods Safe?

Doctors say that skipping a period while on any birth control is safe and offers a lower level of risks. However, there may be a few things to think about, such as the side effects. Although, there is also a positive side.

Benefits Of Delaying Periods

Putting off your period can help you deal with a variety of menstrual problems. It might be the easier option if you have:

• Any impairment that may cause using sanitary napkins or tampons to be difficult.
• Anaemia, for example, is a condition that is made worse by periods.
• In the days prior to your period, you often experience breast discomfort, bloating, or mood fluctuations mainly known as PMS.
• Any menstrual disorder like Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea, Menorrhagia, PMDD, etc.

Side Effects & Risks

Opting for birth control to delay your period is medically safe. However, there are some risks and negative sides to look out for:

• After missing a few periods or more, a person can experience withdrawal bleeding. The blood may appear spotty, but it may as well be a period. Breakthrough bleeding occurs at different times for different people, or it may not happen at all.
• Another concern is the possibility of unintended pregnancy. If a woman is not anticipating her period, she may not even realize she is pregnant for a long duration..
• People who receive medroxyprogesterone injections besides obesity or hunger control problems might gain 10–20 kg. People with modest body weight, on the other hand, are less likely to gain weight.
• Continuous usage of the contraceptive patch may result in greater estrogen levels in the bloodstream.

Delaying Periods With Hormonal Birth Control: Verdict

Any birth control is a protected and efficient way for a woman in delaying periods. There are often some, if any, risks in delaying more than one cycle in this manner. However, a person should consult a doctor before choosing any sort of contraception.

The instances of withdrawal bleeding will gradually fade away and stop. A doctor is best suited to suggest a birth control method that delays periods or causes lesser adverse effects on your body.