Stopping your period with birth control means using hormonal contraception to prevent or greatly cut down monthly bleeding. This is not an unsafe way to block a natural process. It uses how these hormones work to decide when and how often you bleed. You are choosing to manage your cycle for personal or medical reasons, using methods that doctors consider safe and effective.
The bleeding during the placebo week of many birth control methods is not a true period. It is “withdrawal bleeding,” caused by a short drop in hormones. Because hormonal birth control usually stops ovulation, there is no normal shedding of an unfertilized egg and a thick uterine lining. Taking active hormones without breaks to prevent this withdrawal bleeding is a common, medically sound choice.
Why do people choose to stop their periods?
People choose to stop or reduce periods for many reasons. For some, it brings relief from severe symptoms. Strong cramps (dysmenorrhea), heavy bleeding, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) can disrupt daily life. Endometriosis and uterine fibroids can cause pain and heavy bleeding, making period suppression a helpful option.
There are also lifestyle benefits. Hormone shifts can trigger mood swings, and skipping periods may steady these changes. Menstrual migraines may improve too. For people who have physical or mental disabilities that make period care hard, or bleeding disorders like hemophilia or von Willebrand disease, stopping periods can bring relief and predictability. Many also choose to delay a period for travel, sports, a wedding, or an exam for comfort and peace of mind.
Is it safe to use birth control to skip periods?
For most people, yes. Doctors agree there is no medical need to have a monthly bleed while on hormonal birth control. Withdrawal bleeding is not a natural period, and preventing it does not cause a “build-up” of the uterine lining. These methods usually thin the lining. If your provider says hormonal birth control is a good fit for you, using it to delay or stop bleeding is usually safe.
Research on long-term continuous use is ongoing. A 2008 study found no harmful changes in endometrial tissue after 91 days of continuous use. Talk with your doctor about your health history, since some conditions can raise risk with hormonal methods. For most people, managing the cycle this way offers clear benefits without harming health.
How do birth control methods stop periods?
These methods work by using hormones that affect the body’s natural reproductive cycle. Most contain synthetic estrogen and/or progestin, which help control the cycle. A steady dose of these hormones flattens the normal ups and downs that trigger ovulation and the shedding of the uterine lining.
When you take hormonal birth control without breaks, you stop the usual drop in hormone levels that would trigger bleeding. Continuous hormones keep the uterine lining thin and steady, so there is no need for it to shed.
How does hormonal birth control affect the menstrual cycle?
- It stops ovulation. The hormones signal the brain to pause the release of an egg.
- It thickens cervical mucus, making it hard for sperm to reach an egg if one were released.
- It thins the uterine lining (endometrium). A thin lining means little or no tissue to shed each month, especially with continuous use.
Difference between periods and withdrawal bleeding
Bleeding during the “off” week of standard birth control pills is not a true period. A true period happens about two weeks after ovulation if no pregnancy occurs, and it involves shedding a lining that grew to prepare for pregnancy.
Withdrawal bleeding happens when you stop active hormones for a few days (or remove a ring or patch). Because hormonal birth control usually blocks ovulation, there is no natural cycle happening. This bleeding is simply a response to the brief drop in hormones and does not carry the same meaning as a natural period. You do not need either withdrawal bleeding or natural periods for health while using hormonal contraception.
Which types of birth control can stop periods?
Many hormonal birth control methods can stop or greatly reduce periods. The best choice depends on your preferences, health, and how you want to manage your cycle. Options range from daily pills to long-acting methods.
Some methods are made for continuous use to stop periods completely or cut them down to a few times a year. Talk with a healthcare provider to find an option that fits your needs and routine.
Birth control pills
Birth control pills are a common way to manage bleeding. They contain estrogen and progestin, or progestin alone, to block ovulation and thin the uterine lining. Standard packs include a week of inactive pills that cause withdrawal bleeding, but many people skip this week to reduce or stop bleeding.
To delay bleeding with standard pills, skip the inactive pills and start a new pack of active pills right away. This keeps hormone levels steady and prevents withdrawal bleeding. Your clinician can suggest a schedule that fits you and check that this plan is safe.
Continuous-use and extended cycle pills
If your goal is to stop or greatly reduce periods, these pill types can help by reducing or removing hormone-free breaks.
- Continuous-use birth control: You take active pills every day for a year or longer without breaks. Amethyst is one example, with low doses of estrogen and progestin taken daily. Many people stop bleeding entirely, though spotting can happen.
- Extended-use birth control: These pills reduce bleeding to about once every three months. Examples include:
- Jolessa (generic for Seasonale): 84 days of active pills, then one week of inactive pills. Bleeding usually happens in week 13.
- Amethia, Camrese, Simpesse (generic for Seasonique): 84 days of active pills, then one week of low-dose estrogen pills instead of an inactive pills. This can ease symptoms like bloating and cramping during the break. Bleeding still occurs in week 13.
- Rivelsa (generic for Quartette): 84 days of active pills with rising estrogen doses (20 mcg to 25 mcg to 30 mcg) while progestin stays the same, followed by one week of very low estrogen pills. Bleeding occurs in week 13. The changing estrogen dose aims to cut down on breakthrough bleeding.
Vaginal ring (NuvaRing)
The vaginal ring is a flexible ring placed in the vagina that releases estrogen and progestin. It can be used to delay or stop bleeding by using it continuously. The usual schedule is three weeks in, one week out, which causes withdrawal bleeding.
To stop bleeding, replace the ring every month without a ring-free week. Some people take a one-week break every three months to trigger a withdrawal bleed, which may lower spotting with continuous use. This method is good for those who want monthly upkeep instead of a daily pill.
Birth control patch
The skin patch releases estrogen and progestin through the skin. It can delay or stop bleeding with extended or ongoing use. The usual schedule is one new patch each week for three weeks, then a week without a patch.
To prevent bleeding, do not take a patch-free week. Apply a new patch when you remove the old one. This steady hormone level keeps the lining thin and stable. The patch has a higher failure rate than some methods (about 7 pregnancies per 100 users each year).
Hormonal intrauterine device (IUD)
Hormonal IUDs are long-term birth control placed in the uterus by a clinician. They release levonorgestrel (a progestin). While used for pregnancy prevention, many users also see lighter periods or no periods at all.
Unlike pills, rings, or patches, IUDs need little upkeep for years. Over time, all hormonal IUDs thin the uterine lining, which leads to lighter, less frequent, or no bleeding. The effect often grows stronger the longer the IUD stays in place.
Types of hormonal IUDs that reduce or stop periods
Hormonal IUDs come in different levonorgestrel doses. Brands include Mirena, Liletta, and Kyleena. All can reduce bleeding, but higher-dose IUDs with 52 mg of levonorgestrel are more likely to stop periods.
About one year after placement of a 52-mg IUD, around 20% of users report no periods. After two years, that number goes up to about 30%-50%. These devices can stay in place for up to six years, giving long-term birth control and bleeding control.
Depo-Provera injection
Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), or Depo-Provera, is a progestin-only shot given every 90 days. It prevents pregnancy and often reduces or stops monthly bleeding.
DMPA blocks ovulation and thins the uterine lining. After a year of on-time shots, many people have very light bleeding or none at all. After one year, about 50%-75% report no periods. The longer you use DMPA, the more likely periods stop.
What are the benefits of using birth control to stop periods?
Stopping or reducing periods can help many people feel better and live more comfortably. It can ease pain and solve practical problems tied to monthly bleeding. Having control over your cycle can make daily life simpler and less stressful.
From lowering chronic pain to removing monthly hassles, these benefits can be strong. You can match your cycle plan to your health goals and your routine.
Relief from period symptoms and health conditions
One major benefit is relief from painful and disruptive symptoms. Severe cramps can keep people from school, work, or activities. Hormonal birth control can ease these symptoms. It can also help with heavy bleeding, which can cause anemia and affect daily life.
People with endometriosis may have less pain and inflammation by skipping periods. Those with uterine fibroids often see less pelvic pain and bleeding. Symptoms of PMDD and strong mood swings may improve as well. Menstrual migraines may happen less often and be less intense. People with bleeding disorders like hemophilia or von Willebrand disease may have fewer hard-to-manage bleeding episodes and feel more stable.
Convenience and lifestyle advantages
Stopping periods also makes life simpler. Costs and planning for pads or tampons go down. You spend less time worrying about leaks, frequent changes, or discomfort. This can be helpful during travel, sports, or special events like weddings or honeymoons.
Many people prefer having control over their cycle. It brings flexibility and fewer disruptions during work, school, and leisure.
What are the risks and side effects of stopping your period with birth control?
While there are many benefits, there can be side effects and risks, like with any medicine. Most side effects are mild and often fade as your body adjusts. Knowing what might happen and when to talk with a doctor helps you have a smoother experience.
Not everyone is a good candidate for continuous use. Your medical history can affect safety. Share your full health background and concerns with your clinician before you start.
Breakthrough bleeding and spotting
The most common side effect is breakthrough bleeding, which is bleeding or spotting between expected periods. This happens more often in the first months as your body adapts to steady hormone levels. It usually improves with time and steady use.
Breakthrough bleeding does not mean your birth control has failed, and it usually is not a sign of a serious problem. Missing pills, delaying a ring or patch change, or getting a Depo shot late can raise the chance of spotting. Smoking can also raise the chance. If the bleeding is heavy or lasts more than seven days in a row, contact your doctor.
Other common side effects
Other possible side effects include irregular bleeding (especially early on), nausea, headaches, breast tenderness, and changes in mood or weight. Some people may feel depressed.
With the patch, the skin under the patch may get irritated. With IUDs, insertion can be painful and cramping afterward is common. Most side effects are mild and short-term, but they vary from person to person. If you are not having regular periods, it can be harder to notice pregnancy early, so watch for nausea, breast changes, or unusual tiredness.
Who should not use birth control to stop periods?
Continuous hormonal birth control is not right for everyone. Avoid it if you have conditions that make hormonal methods risky, such as a history of blood clots, certain cancers, uncontrolled high blood pressure, severe liver disease, or a past stroke or heart attack.
People who smoke, especially those over 35, face higher risks with estrogen-containing methods. Have a full talk with your provider about your health and medicines. They can review your risks and help you choose a safe option.
How do you choose the best birth control to stop periods?
The best method is personal. What works very well for one person may not suit another. Think about effectiveness, side effects, cost, and how each method fits your daily life. There is no single “best” option.
Start by listing your goals and preferences, then talk with a trusted clinician. This helps you pick a plan that fits your health and your routine.
Key factors: effectiveness, side effects, personal preference
Keep these points in mind:
- Effectiveness: All hormonal methods prevent pregnancy well, but their impact on stopping bleeding varies. Some, like Amethyst or higher-dose hormonal IUDs, are made for continuous use to stop periods. Others may only reduce how often you bleed. Decide if you want no bleeding at all or fewer periods.
- Side effects: Each method has its own side effect profile. Breakthrough bleeding is common with continuous use. Nausea, headaches, and mood changes can happen too. If you are sensitive to hormone shifts, a steady-release method like some extended-cycle pills or an IUD may suit you better. Talk with your doctor about your past experiences and concerns.
- Personal preference and lifestyle: Do you prefer a daily pill, a weekly patch, a monthly ring, a shot every three months, or a long-term IUD? Think about convenience, privacy, how easy it is to start or stop, and cost or insurance coverage.
Discussing options with your healthcare provider
The most important step is an open talk with your healthcare provider. They can offer advice based on your medical history and needs. Be ready to discuss:
- Your health history: Ongoing conditions, allergies, and all medicines you take.
- Your reasons for stopping periods: Medical needs like endometriosis or heavy bleeding, or personal preference for convenience.
- Your lifestyle: Daily routine, travel, and how often you want to handle your method (daily, weekly, monthly, long-term).
- Your concerns: Ask about side effects, effectiveness, cost, future fertility, and how each method may affect your health.
Your doctor can go over the choices, explain the details, and help you pick a safe, effective plan.
Frequently asked questions about birth control and stopping periods
Choosing birth control and managing periods can bring up many questions. Myths are common, and clear answers help people make informed choices.
Below are common questions with brief, evidence-based answers to help you feel more confident about using birth control to manage bleeding.
Is it safe to skip periods long term?
Yes, for most people it is safe to skip periods long term with hormonal birth control, if your provider says it is right for you. Most doctors agree there is no health benefit to having a monthly bleed on hormones because it is withdrawal bleeding, not a natural period. Many recommend continuous use for people with endometriosis or severe PMS symptoms.
More long-term research is helpful, but current data does not show harm from extended or continuous schedules. The uterine lining does not build up; hormonal methods keep it thin and stable. For many, this is a healthy, normal choice.
Will stopping periods affect future fertility?
No. Using birth control to stop or skip periods does not cause long-term fertility problems. Fertility usually returns after you stop the method. Some people need a few months for cycles to settle back into their usual pattern, but there is no permanent effect.
Fertility drops with age. If you use birth control for years and try to get pregnant later, any difficulty is more likely related to age than past birth control use. The hormones leave your system, and their effects wear off after stopping.
Can birth control stop periods permanently?
No. Birth control can suppress bleeding for as long as you use it, but periods usually return after you stop, unless you are in menopause. After stopping pills, most people see a period within three months, often sooner.
The only permanent way to stop periods is surgery, such as a hysterectomy, which is done only for specific medical reasons and usually after other treatments fail. Birth control offers a reversible way to manage bleeding.
What should I do if I have breakthrough bleeding?
Breakthrough bleeding or spotting is common, especially in the first few months of continuous use. Try this plan:
- Stay on schedule: Take or replace your method on time. Late pills, rings, patches, or shots can trigger spotting.
- Give it time: Many people see spotting improve or stop after a few months.
- Track bleeding: Use a calendar or app to note days and amount. This helps you and your doctor spot patterns.
- Short hormone-free break (if your doctor agrees): On combination pills or the ring, your doctor may suggest a 3-4 day break after 21-30 days of active hormones to reset the lining.
- Avoid smoking: Smoking can make spotting more likely.
- Call your doctor: If bleeding is heavy, lasts more than seven days in a row, or comes with other worrisome symptoms, get medical advice. Keep using your birth control to prevent pregnancy.
Key takeaways on the best birth control to stop periods
Many birth control options can help you control or stop periods, from daily pills to long-acting devices. Each has pros and cons that fit different needs and lifestyles.
The main idea is steady hormones that block ovulation, thin the uterine lining, and prevent the drop that triggers bleeding. This makes it safe to suppress monthly bleeding while on hormonal contraception and counters the myth that a monthly period is required for health in this setting.
For people with severe cramps, heavy bleeding, endometriosis, or PMDD, stopping periods can improve quality of life. It also brings convenience: fewer worries about leaks, fewer product costs, and freedom to plan travel, sports, and major events without a period.
Spotting is common early on but often improves with consistent use. Stopping periods with birth control does not harm future fertility; cycles usually return after you stop. Pick a method by looking at effectiveness, side effects, cost, and how it fits your routine, and choose it with your clinician’s guidance.
The decision to stop or reduce periods is personal. With support from a medical professional, it can lead to a more comfortable, predictable, and healthy life.