Using Birth Control to Regulate or Skip Your Period

Question:

Is it safe for me to skip my periods using birth control?

Answer:

YES. Using birth control to suppress menstruation is considered very safe by doctors and OB-GYNs, regardless of the length of time.

Options

In general, it is safe to skip your period by using birth control [1]. Your doctor can give you advice on what the safest method is. You have the option of using birth control to suppress menstruation. Birth Control pills allow you to skip your period altogether with continuous cycling (starting a new pack of birth control instead of taking placebo pills in the 4th week) or have four periods a year (Seasonale and Seasonique).

Safety and Risks

Birth control users who choose to skip periods have shown no additional health risk when compared to birth control users who have a monthly cycle. Some women who skip their periods may also experience breakthrough bleeding, but it will typically subside [1].

It’s also important to note that many types of hormonal birth control contain estrogen, which is known to increase the risk of developing blood clots [2]. However, today’s doses are much lower than in the 1970s or 1980s, lowering that risk [2].

Although there are no known health risks associated with skipping menstruation, women may express a preference for monthly menstruation because they rely on it as a signal that they are not pregnant or because they view it as a sign that their bodies are functioning normally. If you’re interested in skipping your period, make sure to check with your doctor so they can give you the best recommendation based on your needs and your medical history.

Updated 1/3/2024 by Rachel Grimsley, RN, BSN, MSN, Nurse Writer

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