One of the most common questions we hear from patients is whether or not it is safe to not have periods. Most people are so accustomed to having their menstrual cycle that the idea of not having a monthly period feels strange and unnatural. However, the reality is that not having a period can be perfectly safe in certain situations. Show
It’s helpful to understand that the monthly bleeding people experience while taking some forms of birth control, including the pill, patch or ring—is not the same as a natural menstrual period. Natural menstruation occurs as a result of the changes in hormones that are triggered by ovulation, or the release of the egg from the ovary, and the buildup of the uterine lining in preparation for pregnancy. When pregnancy does not occur, the body reduces the amount of those hormones that it makes. This “withdrawal” of hormones causes your body to shed that lining as your monthly period. Where does menstrual blood go if you don’t have a period?The hormones in the pill, patch and ring methods of birth control are similar to your body’s natural hormones. They stop ovulation from happening and prevent the uterus from building up a thick lining. When you take a week off from these methods (the inactive pill week, or the week with no patch or ring), this mimics the natural “withdrawal” of those hormones that occurs during a menstrual cycle. This is considered a “withdrawal bleed.” Continuous use of certain types of birth control can allow people to skip their periods all together. In these cases, because there is no hormone-free week, there is no withdrawal bleed. Many people ask, “Where does all the blood go if it doesn’t come out?” the answer is: there is no blood building up in the first place. In these situations, using the contraception continuously without a break prevents the uterine lining from developing. Certain hormonal contraceptives, such as the Mirena IUD, Nexplanon and Depo Provera, contain the hormone progestin, which can cause irregular bleeding during the first few months. However, this bleeding usually stops over time and some people using these methods may not have any bleeding at all for several years. It is safe to use birth control methods to prevent periods under the guidance of your healthcare provider. In fact, it can be beneficial to your health by preventing painful cramps or heavy bleeding, which can lead to anemia. Not to mention saving money on menstrual products! Most people do, however, eventually experience bleeding even while using continuous birth control. For some, this might not happen for several years—for others, it might happen every two to three months. Many people choose to schedule their withdrawal bleeds for every three or four months in order to avoid surprises. When is not having a period not okay?Despite the many ways in which people can safely avoid having periods, it is very important to know that sometimes not having a period is a sign that something is wrong. If you are not using hormonal birth control and you are naturally not having your period, you may have a condition called amenorrhea. “Primary” amenorrhea refers to a someone age 15 or older who has not begun menstruating. “Secondary” amenorrhea refers to someone who used to have regular periods in the past, but then has stopped getting for more than three months in a row. There are a lot of reasons why amenorrhea happens, such as hormone imbalances, stress, being overweight or underweight, use of certain drugs or medications, ovarian or uterine disorders and, of course, pregnancy. If you are not using hormonal birth control (or taking hormones as part of gender affirming therapy) and you are not having your period, start by taking a pregnancy test. If the test is negative, make an appointment with your healthcare provider to find out what is going on. Amenorrhea can lead to serious health problems, such as endometrial cancer or bone loss, so it should not be ignored. If you’re considering your birth control options or want to discuss your period, contact a Women’s Healthcare Associates office to schedule an appointment. Reviewed and updated: 04/19/2022 If a person taking a birth control pill misses a period, they may wonder if they are pregnant. However, a range of other factors may be responsible. Birth control pills are a popular and practical method of contraception. There are several types, and each contains different combinations of hormones that can affect the menstrual cycle. The term for the absence of an expected period is amenorrhea. Experiencing this while taking a birth control pill is common. In this article, learn what factors can cause a person to miss a period while on a birth control pill.
Birth control pills contain different hormones that prevent pregnancy. The hormones can:
Birth control pills are usually organized by week, with the pills of the first three weeks containing hormones, and the pills of the final week containing no active medication. These placebos simply help a person to remember to take a pill each day. When taken correctly, birth control pills are collectively estimated to be effective in around 99 percent of cases. However, people tend to skip doses. Also, if a person is vomiting, they may not fully ingest the pill. These factors can reduce effectiveness, and may lead to an increased risk of pregnancy or irregular bleeding. Any of the following factors can lead to a missed period while on birth control. The type of pillSome birth control pills can cause periods to stop or become irregular. Other types, sometimes called seasonal pills, can cause a person to have only four periods a year. Everyone is different, and the effects of pills are not always predictable. If a person has recently started taking a new pill, the body may need time to adjust, and this can cause a missed period. StressStress can affect the menstrual cycle, causing it to extend or shorten. In some cases, stress can cause periods to stop altogether. Rapid weight lossLosing weight quickly can strain the body. For example, if a person is on an extreme diet, a lack of calories can prevent the production of hormones required for ovulation. Being overweight or obeseOverweight women can produce an unusually high amount of estrogen. This can cause periods to become irregular or stop. OverexercisingIntense exercise can put excessive strain on the body and may lead to a hormonal imbalance. This can cause irregular periods. IllnessSome illnesses can cause periods to stop. The most common is polycystic ovary syndrome. If periods stop, and pregnancy is not the cause, a doctor may perform additional tests, to rule out certain medical conditions. PregnancyWhile pills can be a very reliable method of contraception, they are not always effective. Though the chances are rare, a person can get pregnant while on a contraceptive pill. Anyone who suspects that they are pregnant should take a test, to help eliminate uncertainty. Share on PinterestWhen taking a birth control pill, it is still possible for a person to become pregnant.Pregnancy is just one of many reasons that a person can miss a period. It is important to be aware that a person can become pregnant, even when taking a birth control pill as instructed. Anyone who is sexually active and has missed a period, or had only light spotting, should take a pregnancy test or make an appointment with a doctor. Chances of becoming pregnant increase when a person skips a pill. The majority of these pregnancies occur when a person has missed two or more doses in a row. Other early signs of pregnancy include:
Some of these signs can appear as soon as 1 week after a missed period. If a person has not had an expected period and experiences any of the other symptoms of pregnancy, they should take a test. The birth control pill birth regulates the menstrual cycle. Most types of pill work in 4-week cycles. A person on one of these pills can expect a period about every 28 days. Depending on the type of birth control, some people may experience periods more frequently than usual. For others, periods may stop. The easiest way to determine the cause of a missed period is to take a pregnancy test. A person can buy one to take at home or make an appointment with a doctor. Missed periods can signal underlying medical conditions. If periods continue to be irregular or stop unexpectedly, make an appointment with a doctor. The doctor may ask about a person’s medical history, their sexual history, and their family’s medical history, among other questions. If the doctor suspects an underlying condition, they may perform further testing or refer the person to a specialist. Can you get pregnant if you haven't had a period because of birth control?Does missing a period mean you're pregnant? While rare, it's still possible to become pregnant while taking birth control correctly. If you're sexually active and have noticed only spotting or have skipped your period entirely, you should contact your doctor to rule out pregnancy.
What happens when you don't have a period because of birth control?“The only real risk to using birth control to miss your periods is that there's a small chance of breakthrough bleeding, which is any vaginal bleeding that occurs mid-cycle or when using hormonal methods to avoid your period,” explains Dr. Bradley.
Can you ovulate without a period on birth control?The short answer: no. The long answer is that if you're regularly taking the pill, your ovulation will stop, and your period is not a “real” period, but rather withdrawal bleeding.
How do you tell if you're pregnant while on birth control?Women who get pregnant while using birth control may notice the following signs and symptoms:. a missed period.. implantation spotting or bleeding.. tenderness or other changes in the breasts.. fatigue.. nausea and food aversions.. backaches.. headaches.. a frequent need to urinate.. |
Can you get pregnant if you don t have a period because of birth control
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