Your Birth Control and Your Period

It is no secret that if you are on some form of birth control, that effectively regulates your menstrual cycles. Using a variety of hormone controls to get the job done, the birth control is able to help prevent pregnancy by directly affecting your period and your cycles. So, what can you expect to differ about your period on various forms of birth control?

Injections and Implants

Since the long-lasting injections typically are progestin-only based, spotting is actually fairly common with this method. If you stick with it, however, after about a full year of use, you should be experiencing no periods at all (with just some minor spotting.)

Birth Control Pills

Pills vary in hormone level from brand to brand and dose to dose, but these most common birth control forms work by releasing progestin and/or estrogen to prevent ovulation and therefore prevent pregnancy. The typical pills are packaged in a one-month supply, but, thanks to the marvels of modern medicine, the pill can be extended and allow a period only every other month, every third month, etc.

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It is important to know that no matter what regimen you are following, there is the possibility to experience spotting between cycles and irregular bleeding on your cycles. A progestin-only pill, as opposed to a combination pill (progestin and estrogen), increases this likelihood.

If you accidentally miss a day or take your pill much later than you typically would, there is a chance you may experience a bit of spotting that day.

Intrauterine Devices

This form of birth control is inserted directly into the uterus and is available in two versions: the copper IUD and the progestin IUD.

Taking a look at the copper IUD, in the first three to six months it is normal to experience spotting between periods that is heavier, longer and potentially a bit more painful than usual. After the sixth month, however, normal periods should resume.

With progestin IUDs, it is a bit similar in that spotting between periods for the first three to six months is common, but the bleeding while on your actual period is not as heavy as with a copper IUD. Over time, too, you should expect to eventually experience periods that are much lighter or even nonexistent.

Vaginal Rings

Similar to an IUD in that it is inserted, this differs in the fact that you can insert and extract it yourself and is only left in for about a month at a time versus up to five years. Since the ring releases both progestin and estrogen, you should expect spotting between periods for a few months.

While there is not one experience that everyone will have on birth control, and while many forms do stop your periods altogether for a time, there is always a pretty good chance of off-cycle spotting since hormone levels are being affected.

You can put any discomfort and worry to bed, though, without having to stress about having a liner or tampon handy with PantyProp’s leak-proof underwear, whether you are experiencing heavy bleeding or fear the unexpected spotting birth control can bring.

#periodadvice #reproductivehealth #birthcontrol