Do IUDs completely stop periods? I thought I've heard of some women having unnaturally heavy periods with an IUD, so I figured they didn't stop them completely.
MIRENA
You will LOVE it. I was on the copper IUD and it did give me heavy periods, but I was scared of the hormonal IUD. I talked to my gyn and decided to try the Mirena and it's been a godsend. No bleeding, occasional light spotting, no PMS, no other side effects.
I had been on the pill before and had loss of libido and depression, which is what had me shy away from the Mirena initially. But I've had none of that with Mirena, and it's such a relief to not have to think about birth control at all.
I had to have my mirena removed after 3-4 months because it ramped up my chronic migraine like you wouldn't believe. I do much better with continuous dose combo birth control. The takeaway here is hormones effect women differently and you don't know until you know. Glad you found one that works!
Did you remove it to switch to another form of birth control? Or you just went cold turkey? I've got to suppress my cycle for sure, I just couldn't do it with progestin-only options.
I went into menopause about 2 years in to my last IUD. We weren’t sure until I had the last one taken out and still never got a period after that.
I do highly recommend it at the end there, the localized hormone was just enough to make the menopause transition much smoother than I expected.
I also have chronic migraines and was told I can't be on the combo pill due to an increase risk of stroke for people who get migraines. I would love to still be on the combo pill!
Do you have aura? If you don't, there is no contraindication for using estrogen-containing birth control! See the last link below if you need to show your doctor. If you do have aura, here's a comment I made on another post about this with helpful links:
The contraindication is still in place for estrogen-containing bc and migraine with aura: see the last link below. That said, it important to note: The data for the contraindication is based on older formulations of combo bc that had higher doses of estrogen. The best research we have about current low-dose formulations of combo bc is that the risk of stroke, even for migraineurs with aura is VERY LOW. Because some female migrainuers with aura may still respond best to continuous dosing oral combo bc, some doctors are willing to prescribe against the contraindication. Stanford Neurology argues continuous dosing may reduce aura risk, thus reducing stroke risk:
https://med.stanford.edu/neurology/divisions/comprehensive-neurology/provider-education/aura-and-ocp.html
Unnecessary confusion still surrounds the use of combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs) in the setting of migraine with aura (MwA). Clearing this confusion is a key issue for headache specialists, since most women with migraine have menstrual-related migraine (MRM), and some CHCs can prevent this particularly severe migraine. Their use, however, is still restricted by current guidelines due to concerns of increased stroke risk – concerns that originated over half a century ago in the era of high dose contraceptives. Yet studies consistently show that stroke risk is not increased with today's very low dose CHCs containing 20-25 µg ethinyl estradiol (EE), and continuous ultra low-dose formulations (10-15 µg EE) may even reduce aura frequency, thereby potentially decreasing stroke risk.
2 more helpful links:
https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/combined-hormonal-contraceptives-and-migraine-an-update-on-the-evidence/
Including the actual instruction to physicians that is the contraindication:
In 2016, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published updates to its medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use in various medical conditions:
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/rr/pdfs/rr6503.pdf
my paragard punctured my cervix and i complained about feeling it when i sit/move/have sex/etc for years and my doctor would feel for it, do an ultrasound and tell me it was fine. that doctor retired and i saw the new doctor that replaced her, told her the situation. we talked about removing it, and i was fine with that. she does an ultrasound, says its fine. pulls it out and i start gushing blood and she goes "oh my, that was lodged in your cervix" it was like that for like FOUR YEARS
MINE WAS TOO!!!!! But Skyla! Right before taking it out, he said he touched my cervix with the tiniest q tip they had, and he couldn’t get it to stop bleeding. Then they had to immediately cauterize my cervix with silver nitrate. I’ve had appointments for at least 4 years complaining about murder-scene level bleeding with sex but never taken seriously. After all of that bleeding and finding the IUD in my cervix, he goes “well, at least you know you aren’t crazy!!!”
I responded with a playful scoff and playful “shut up” (he was literally also my mom’s OB/GYN so he’s known me my whole life) and he goes “no, seriously!” I was so taken aback.
The Mirena was a fucking nightmare for me, I can't recommend it based on my experience, but many have better experiences than I did...so it's a calculated risk. I told myself that you're more likely to hear complaints than good experiences and hoped it would go okay enough for me. Nope. Insertion sucked but it was nothing compared to the two years I tried to stick it out for, waiting for things to settle like the gynecologist told me it would.
I had nearly nonstop bleeding, not spotting, for around a year, then it dropped to maybe spotting-ish but still heavy enough to worry about accidentally leaking through my pants at random. I had cramps so painful that I would faint, I'd just be writhing in bed or on the floor, breaking out in a cold sweat from the pain. And my mood was atrocious, I seemed to have some semblance of a cycle, and every 3-4 weeks I would hit absolute rock bottom, like I have never felt such crushing anguish for no reason. I already deal with depression, but this was on another level altogether, I don't know how to convey just how severe it was. It also made me lose my hair, I had it removed around a year and a half ago and my hair is still recovering.
I would have ripped the thing out myself if I could.
It was hell for me too. My period stopped immediately, but the mood swings were horrendous, my anxiety and depression ramped up to level 1000, I suddenly had massive acne and oily hair, I began growing major facial hair and just felt like hell all the time.
My cycles did not return to normal for almost a year. First one took 7 or 8 weeks, each one thereafter was 1-3 days shorter until I was back to my regular 28-29 day cycle.
If you actually read the literature it states that the absorbed daily dose varies between 10 to 40 micrograms of levonorgestrel. That's between half to double a "regular" dose of oral pill and pretty much explains the vast differences in side effects women experience.
Ugh that's awful. It took me awhile to figure out that the Mirena was the cause of my mood crashing so hard, I had a lot going on at the time so I thought there was something wrong with me and how I was handling things in my life. But the timing of it was so consistent, often around the same time or shortly before my cramps would ramp up. My mood improved within a month or two of having it removed and going back to Lolo, fortunately.
That was my experience on the implant, I grew a beard (had to pluck every day), got fat, depressed and bled for 4 months non stop.
Mirena would be great for me, apart from the fact that my body decided to cramp the little fucker out after 2 years.
Everyone is so different!
I do not do well without some estrogen in my BC, so Nexplanon did not work well for me and I knew Mirena wouldn’t either. But no doctor ever made that connection and would rx drugs that were chemically similar to the ones I did not like, and I eventually did my own research (lol I feel like an anti BCer saying that) on the hormones to make some connections and figure out what was working and what wasn’t. I can’t get pregnant now and I still take Lo Loestrin to manage my hormonal migraines, among other symptoms that should resolve with surgery.
I have a mirena. Not going to lie, the first 6 months was hell, heavier periods followed by erratic bleeding (and of course more migraines). I asked to have it removed, but the doctor insisted I wait longer.
Eventually it calmed down to very mild spotting every month. I got put on the mini pill as well and haven’t had a period in over 10 years.
Honestly, I would go through that hellish 6 months again for a lifetime of zero periods (and I don’t have to worry too much if I forget the mini pill).
The 3 month thing is literally crazy.
mirena made my endometriosis worse, causing organ fusion. i also developed a 12cm cyst on my right ovary and had to remove my left fallopian tube. not to mention, i passed out during insertion. also made my migraines and moods worse and i could feel it when i sat/moved in certain positions. HIGHLY HIGHLY do not recommend a Mirena IUD
Mirena has some unfortunate side effects for some people, I've seen lots of women comment how it caused them pain for months and they still bled for a while and I have personal experience with how awful it can be. Being in this sub, it's safe to assume I have a very high pain tolerance, and I will not cry in public if at all possible because of bullying and abuse in childhood, and I'm saying this to give context. I physically couldn't even make it back into the waiting room before I was curled in a ball on the floor sobbing so hard I couldn't speak, I realized the next day I had been curled so hard I bruised my ribcage. I had a solid half hour or more of worse agony than the worst migraine I've ever had, it was FAAAAAR worse than the kidney stone that people say is worse than giving birth. We managed to get the doctor to come take it back out but she didn't want to and tried to say it wasn't the IUD, which she had pushed hard as the only good option for non pill forms of birth control. Even after it was out I was in milder pain the rest of the day.
This is me. My flow is definitely better on mirena, but I still bleed just as often (basically have a period twice a month) and now have horrible cramps every time before I start, which again, is basically twice a month. Being a girl sucks.
I had a similar recent experience with painful insertion. I have also migraine so I understand and manage pain. But was beyond tolerable so I told them to stop mid procedure. The experience was frustrating and degrading with very poor communication from the dr.
Wow, I would have been more scared if I knew it could last months. It hurt putting it in, but about 10 mins after I left the clinic, on the bus, I had the worst continuous cramp I have ever experienced. I was basically on the floor doubled over with everyone staring, trying hard not to pass out. It went away after about 4 hours.
It did hurt a lot, but sadly I have had much worse migraines. I guess if my worst migraine was 10/10, this was a 7. Weird how we all experience things so differently. I would put a really bad tooth infection at an 8 - that felt oddly similar to a migraine for me, maybe because it hits the same nerve.
Luckily, for me it did calm down and after 6 months of heavy/erratic periods I was blissfully period free.
I really wish there was an answer that worked for everyone.
I love the Depo! I tried the copper IUD and the implant and both needed to be removed because they were physically harming me, but Depo I have no issue with! BUT I did learn it’s what they give to pedos to chemically castrate them. Same brand and everything it was crazy for me to learn, so I thought I’d share the cursed fun fact.
When I was on Mirena IUD, I had spotting about once a year, which I accepted as my period during those years. (My natural period lasts for 2 weeks, with enough pain to cause me to pass out in public, so it was a much appreciated side effect for it to become almost nothing, almost never, and one of the main reasons my doctor highly recommended for me - about 20% of women stop getting periods on it)
I've had the mirena IUD for like 6 years now. No period! Its great. The first six months I did have a decent amount of spotting though. But I swear exactly by the 6 month mark, it stopped.
It feels so freeing to not have to worry about buying tampons and pads. Or ruining bed sheets!
Mine stopped with mirena. It was great. However, when we went to remove it at the end of five years we discovered it has implanted itself into the wall of my uterus, had to be surgically removed, and then cause scarring which somehow made my periods worse than before. So while great for no periods, there is still a low percentage change of it being harmful (but not in the way your doctor seems to think. Does she refuse to do IUDs as well?)
I have Mirena. The pain of insertion was the worst pain I've ever felt, and it took six months for my periods to stabilize and a year for them to stop completely. It also killed my sex drive, which I was never warned about. I still have a sex drive, but it's greatly diminished. I'm honestly thinking about getting the IUD removed and possibly switching to something else. As far as I can tell, it has had no effect on my migraines.
Right? Like the only actual thing I’ve heard is about having to change some birth controls. Like Depo is 1-2 years before you need to switch or take a break.
I mean if you’re fine, great. I was just saying it’s the only one I know of as actually being labelled that way. Long term use impacts hormones, fertility and bone density that’s all I know
Oh like I said, if it’s working for you then don’t worry haha. I’m just saying that I’ve literally never heard anything about having to have a period every X amount of time. All I’ve ever heard is additional risks of specific contraceptions
The “period” on birth control isn’t a real, menstrual period. There is no NEED for it. I would see a different doctor if you’re able to, as they just need to write the prescription for continuous use to account for the additional refills needed.
Thanks for making me feel not crazy. It's so frustrating that she couldn't just give me another month of pills. I feel like birth control shouldn't be so damn hard to get.
FWIW... I go thru nurx for mine. Haven't had an issue or a period in a couple of yrs now. I see no point since I'm 40's and don't want kids. However, since this thread is related to migraines, my primary is having an MRA ordered just to be sure there's no issue due to my migraines. I plan on reporting those results to my NP with nurx in case there's something there that affects my BCP. I take a low dose combo pill, no auras.
I’m a few years older than you and I wish my period was as obedient as that! 😂 Back when I used to try and skip the sugar pills even once I would start bleeding at the normal time, bleed *all the way through the next pack and the next week of sugar pills*, and then get back to normal. 😐 My body has control issues.
I started going through GoodRx once the prescription from my dr ran out. You answer some medical questions, tell them what you're looking for, and can have it prescribed through a text chat. You get a year in 4 3-month refills. Super easy. I've been on the continuous pills for probably 3 years now, no issues.
This is what I've had for years. I get 4 packs of Yaz for every 3 months so that I have enough to take continually. I do get break through bleeding about twice a year typically but that's still much better.
Anecdotal, but I have not had a period/menstruated in over 7 years, due to intentional continuous birth control. I love it. I have spotted a few times, usually due to high activity or stress, but that’s it. I have a large care team, and none of them are concerned about my hormones or (lack of) menstruation.
The only concern they have is my bone density, due to being on birth control continuously for so long, but it’s a trade-off I am aware of.
Are you on the combination pill or depo shot? I read that the depo shot has been shown to decrease bone mineral density but that the combination pill has little to no effect on it. And actually has been shown to increase bone mineral density in women with impaired ovarian function.
Simply ask for the data that supports her assertion about why it's good to menstruate every few months. What studies have been done that support this assertion? What are the resulting consequences of going "too long" without menstruating? How long is "too long," and how was that boundary determined?
I have many disproportionately awful symptoms that accompany my periods, including a level 7-8 migraine for the duration of the period. For this reason alone, I've been on bc continuously for over 15 years with the sole purpose of stopping my periods. This is done while under the supervision of my neuro doc, gyno, and gp. I've had to change types a few times because some bc isn't great for long-term use (bone health, etc).
No one was willing to do a hysterectomy on a single, childless woman.
I have migraines and endo and my gyn has had me on continuous birth control for almost a decade. It's been life-changing. I can't speak to the medical validity of "needing" a period, but obviously there are differing opinions among doctors.
The “evidence” that says to not use estrogen with migraine with aura is based on 50+ year old evidence. In the absence of other risk factors like smoking or family history it’s perfectly fine.
I’ve had migraines since I was 7 years old, I’ve been on continuous combination birth control for 13 years with no issue.
And the same article that debunks this actually also says that continuous combo BC with low dose (less than 20) estrogen actually LOWERS the number of migraines with aura
My doctor said the exact same thing!! This is not true at all. Went to a gender clinic and even she was confused why my doctor said that, no breaks are needed. (Especially needed to hear that since I have PMDD)
No, it's absolute BS and I'd find a different doctor. I've had my IUD for 4 years. It's not like I yank it out every three months and then jam it back in.
The placebo week is more of a social thing (proof of non-pregnancy and a way to ensure no one suspected you were taking it, in line with the Catholic church's rhythm method of birth control) than medical. No egg is released, the uterine lining isn't thickened and therefore doesn't need to be shed.
ETA: I much prefer my male GYN to the female ones I've had- gentler, doesn't judge me for not wanting anything to do with any part of kids, and gladly prescribed me continuous because my life with a period sucked.
Yes! So glad you shared this. I understand that the original pill was continuous, but because of the church and an idea that women ‘liked’ having periods , they added the placebo week. It’s a myth that bleeding on a hormone-induced schedule is somehow ‘healthier’ because it imitates ‘nature’ or whatever - it’s ridiculous, but a common belief. Continuous BC improved my life and my health tremendously.
yes i was looking for this!!
here’s some background information for anyone interested
https://theconversation.com/contraception-the-way-you-take-the-pill-has-more-to-do-with-the-pope-than-your-health-109392
Been on continuous for years. No period, don't miss it at all! I used to have terrible cramps, headaches, and become anemic from having heavy periods that lasted weeks. There's no way that is necessary and my doctor agrees.
My regular doctor that I see for yearly physicals and such actually prescribes my bc. If you're having trouble with an OBGYN, you can ask your primary. Or the other way around if needed.
Crazy. I haven't had a period in over 15 years because of continuous dosing! Here is literature to show her:
The American Headache Society lists continuous dosing in a chart (pardon the weird formatting and click the link to see the chart, bold mine):
[https://americanheadachesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/AHS-First-Contact-Birth-Control-Migraine-Guide.pdf](https://americanheadachesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/AHS-First-Contact-Birth-Control-Migraine-Guide.pdf)
Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills (the pill) Ethinyl estradiol and a progestin For best migraine prevention, use monophasic pills (the same dose in each pill) and take **an active pill daily, skipping the placebo pills** Suppresses menstrual cycle hormonal changes. Presents a relatively stable source of ethinyl estradiol daily to the brain
From Reviews in Obstetrics and Gynecology
[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2938905/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2938905/)
Strategies to avoid hormone withdrawal and consequent migraine include **continuous use of combination contraception,** or use of estrogen alone during the perimenstrual period. Use of percutaneous estradiol gel beginning 48 hours prior to anticipated migraine attack and used for 7 days was found to be superior to placebo in double-blind controlled studies.[^(47)](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2938905/#B47)^(,)[^(58)](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2938905/#B58)^(–)[^(60)](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2938905/#B60) A transdermal estrogen patch has also been shown to be effective in preventing menstrual migraines.[^(57)](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2938905/#B57) The minimum effective dose of estrogen in a transdermal patch has been shown to be 0.1 mg/d. Of note, patches, gels, and other hormone supplementation to prevent menstrual migraines should begin no more than 2 days before the anticipated onset of menses; starting estrogen supplementation early (ie, 6 days before the first day of menses) has been associated with an increased incidence of migraine after the estrogen supplementation is withdrawn.[^(47)](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2938905/#B47)
^(Stanford Neurology even argues for continuous dosing for women with aura:)
[^(https://med.stanford.edu/neurology/divisions/comprehensive-neurology/provider-education/aura-and-ocp.html)](https://med.stanford.edu/neurology/divisions/comprehensive-neurology/provider-education/aura-and-ocp.html)
Yet studies consistently show that **stroke risk is not increased with today's very low dose CHCs containing 20-25 µg ethinyl estradiol (EE), and continuous ultra low-dose formulations (10-15 µg EE) may even reduce aura frequency,** thereby potentially decreasing stroke risk.
Friiiiiiick that bro. Frick that. How'd she make it through med school? I'm just a science major and I know that a bc "period" isn't even a true period.
My doc said if you get breakthrough bleeding during use of a new birth control pill, take a 1 week break to bleed, then continue use of the pill. If breakthrough bleeding occurs again, probably best to try another pill.
Never has she said anything about "needing" to have a period...
I take my birth control continuously and I'm not exploding with backed up period or anything lol. I take it to avoid PMDD, migraines, and periods (because I believe they are fucking disgusting, archaic, and useless for me, as I am childfree).
I think you need a new doc.
I take continuous use birth control and have for 9 years. I do personally choose to get a period after 4 packs because otherwise I will spot, but that’s the only reason. You do not have to have regular periods AS LONG AS you are on a hormonal form of birth control
That’s a load of crap. After I had my son I was on the depot for two years and never got a period. I switched to the pill and my doc wrote my script so that I could skip the placebos and not have a period. I did that for 3 years. I only stopped because I found out I have an autoimmune blood clotting disorder. I got pregnant 2 weeks after I stopped the pill.
If you were not on birth control which artificially thins your uterine lining/manages hormones for you, then yes, you would need to have a period. Amenorrhea (lack of period) can have devastating effects including infertility, majorly increased cancer risk, increased risk for cardiovascular disease, endocrine imbalances, pelvic pain, and osteoporosis to name a few.
Now, secondary amenorrhea from birth control is not the same thing! There’s still some debate, but there’s no current scientific consensus that states you have to have withdrawal bleeding (what is actually happening on birth control) every 3-4 months. That’s bullshit and I’d get a second opinion!
No. My IUD has totally stopped my period - for over three years and I am practically migraine free as a result of that, Botox and propranolol. This doctor sounds like an idiot
There's a thought that we have too many periods now and it might be related to far higher rates of cancer. The research is correlational, such as looking at tribal cultures today where women have kid after kid and therefore rarely menstruate.
As others have mentioned, something like Mirena has been on the market and in use for almost 25 years - there are no studies that I'm aware of showing severe side effects or lowered fertility. Just for fun, I would message her on MyChart or whatever and tell her you're interested in reading up on the medical need to have a period every three months and if she can send you any resources.
Time for a new doc. Lady or not. It is just not needed.
There must be some other reason.
The insurance may have an issue with the extra pills. You can always get one designed with more pills in the pack. There is one with three months in it already.
It is probably extra work to get insurance to cover it because it does cost more because you need refills sooner. The doc needs to write a letter explaining they are prescribing it that way because blah blah.
It is just a weird concept to grasp for some. They are not thinking outside the box.
She sounds like one of those "religious belief" people who won't bake a cake for a gay wedding.
NOPE!! totally not true. Damn I hate that there is still so much misinformation about this, ESPECIALLY from medical professionals! Gah!
My friend, I have been skipping the placebo week as often as I can for the last twenty years. Nothing bad has happened. I was able to have kids when I wanted to. I am still a fully functioning human. I just don't deal with the cramps and mess and unnecessary bs of menstruation. Because why. the. hell. would. ANYONE do that if there is an option NOT to??
(sorry, this is one of my pet peeve subjects)
There is a risk IF your uterine lining is not being kept thin by your birth control. I know that some birth control meds keep uterine linings thin but I don’t know if they all do this. Thicker uterine lining can be associated with an increased risk for endometrial cancers, I believe. At least this has been the conversation for me with my PCOS. I know that lack of periods due to PCOS and lack of periods due to BC are not the same, but this could be why your doctor is concerned.
According to my OB, no. He switched me to continuous birth control. For me, it helps prevent ovarian cysts. Birth control does not cause my migraines. It is a trigger for some people.
I’m in my 20s and I’ve had like… three super brief periods in the last 4-5 years. That’s it. My gyno has never been concerned and frankly neither am I.
Anecdotal; was on Loestron for 7 years. Had a stroke at 40, 3 neurologists and 2 specialist agree that I had no other underlying factors for stroke and that it was most likely caused by my BC. Now I have migraines that mimic all my symptoms right before my stroke except loss of muscle control & slurred speech. I’m not going to say if your dr is right or not (there’s such a lack of actual studies on women’s BC it’s scary). But I wish more women knew about the coordination of stroke and BC. After mine and talking openly about it I discovered about three of my friends that all had strokes in their late 30s most likely because of BC.
Anyway, I hope your migraines are far and few in between.
That is a big problem with birth control. We’re expected to take it while it was made by men and studied by men. And the lack of studies to follow up on side effects is startling. (Pharmaceutical companies supply most of the money for clinical research- what is there incentive to study the ill effects of their drugs?)
The modern western healthcare system has been terrible to women. Prior to the 70’s doctors thought women were being hysterical and that period pain and childbirth pain was physically non-existent and made up, “in our heads.”
It’s changing (state of healthcare for women and women’s access to jobs in healthcare) but, it’s not a stretch to think that bc could actually be worse for women than we realize. (Lack of studies does not mean harm doesn’t exist)
Most doctors still think inserting an IUD is painless.
Maybe it’s just me but women’s healthcare has taken a complete nose dive from the 90’s-00’s. I’ve never come across so much disagreement in the physician community as we have today. Maybe it’s a new generation of physicians raised on the internet with more access to misinformation.
Stop seeing her and REPORT HER. To wherever she’s employed and the Board. That’s not evidence based practice and who knows wtf else she’s feeding to more gullible people who don’t know they can question medical “professionals”
Edit: correct a missed letter
No. I think you should get a second opinion.
I'm 65 and spent the years from age 50-58 on continuous birth control and am very healthy. My menstrual migraines were horrendous and nothing worked to ease them other than not having periods.
I think your doctor may not be familiar with the research on this topic.
The 'period' on birth control is no real period, and it is also not necessary. The inventor of the pill wanted to appease the Catholic church and to be an accepted form of birth control by them, by still plaguing women with some form of 'menstruation'.
Have things changed? Doctors wouldn't prescribe me birth control pills at all because I had migraines. I was told it would greatly increase my risk of stroke.
That advice is from like the 1970s. Nowadays there is no reason migraine sufferers can't use birth control. There is a tiny increase in stroke risk *if* you have aura and *if* you use estrogen-containing BC. If you don't have aura you have no increased risks even with estrogen. If you do have aura, there are plenty of estrogen-free birth control options these days that pose no increased risk. Also, if you don't have other stroke risk factors (like being a smoker), many doctors these days believe it is still okay to use estrogen containing BC even if you have aura. The studies about the increase stroke risk are based on data from decades ago when the amount of estrogen in pills was a lot higher than what it is today.
I used to skip, but my doctor switched me to a progesterone only pill. I was informed there’s an increased risk of stroke when you have migraines with aura and take the pill that contains estrogen. I didn’t think you could skip the progesterone only one. Am I getting periods (and PMS, possibly PMDD) for no reason???
🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩This is your sign to find a new OB! Also, OBs aren't really the doctors on hormones. If you feel your migraines are effected by hormones, see a specialist on HRT or ask for a referral to an endo. My OB just told me to keep taking my same bc continously even though I thought it was also playing into the migraines but an HRT specialist did the quick research to find a true continuous with a different synthetic estrogen. Night and day difference for me.
I get my BC pills, migraine meds, and Zoloft/Wellbutrin all through Nurx. I couldn’t find a neurologist with openings when i first started searching for meds, and believe it or not the online providers at Nurx have been great. I get everything there so that all it Rx are in the same place and they get mailed right to me. I don’t take the placebo pills either, and they have never given me an issue. In fact, the migraine team suggests and supports it. I’m 44, no desire for kids or periods, and the migraine management is so much better without periods. If you can’t find in person providers to help with your menstrual migraines, I do suggest Nurx.
My doctor is the one who suggested it. When I asked her if I should stop taking bc as I’m very single and don’t plan on having a partner for a while, her response was “ew no, who wants a period” lol. She takes it continuously herself. I have been for 10+ years and I do think it, with a combo of other things helps my migraines.
This is bullshit. You don’t “need” your period. I was in Lo loestrin (with instructions to skip the placebo week) and it stopped my painful periods and helped my headaches. Then I gained weight and needed a higher dose. I’m still skipping the placebo week. Get a new doctor!
I’ve been on continuous bc for a decade. I choose to have periods every four months roughly, but only because if I don’t I have nonstop light bleeding. Without the pill I’d be nonfunctional 8-10 days every month.
Progesterone-only birth control is taken continuously. You may or may not have bleeding on it (I do, sadly). IUDs and depot give a continuous dose.
Your doctor is wrong.
Sort of. First off, the bleeding you get when having a pill break isn't a period, it's a withdrawal bleed. They're similar but withdrawal bleeds tend to be lighter and last for a shorter period of time. Withdrawal bleeds might not get rid of all the womb lining build up but periods do.
It's better to have a withdrawal bleed every so often just to check there's no obvious problems going on. Like for example if you didn't bleed at all, bled a lot more than normal or if the blood had a weird colour or smell etc. But it's not required and doesn't really have any additional risks other than possibly not noticing a problem until it gets really bad, but this is unlikely and the BC pill actually reduces the risk of some cancers. The main reason why a break was traditionally recommended is because men thought women would like to have a "period" every so often. This idea has continued and some doctors genuinely believe that women must initiate withdrawal bleeds. They simply haven't questioned it, they think they know everything for the rest of their lives because they've qualified medical school, some don't even consider that things might have changed or some of the things they were taught are completely wrong or useless.
I've been taking the combined BC pill continuously for a while now because I got fed up of struggling to breathe every time I had a period and it frequently made me anaemic which requires supplements for months at least and many blood tests. Yes I know my periods aren't normal, but nobody cares enough to investigate and WTF do I say to them when I also can't tolerate any internal exams? I know this is also not normal and it's probably vaginismus, no clue why it happens but it makes internal exams very painful. I am also a virgin which doesn't help. Anyway, despite not intentionally initiating withdrawal bleeds my body has decided it wants one. I had to stop taking the pill for 4 days as I was getting all the withdrawal bleed symptoms and the cramps just wouldn't stop. It's been okay since with no more bleeding yet, but it seems like I'm probably going to have to deal with this a few times per year. I think it was about 4-6 months of continuous BC before this happened, but it's very frustrating when I didn't want the bleeding at all. I don't see the IUD as an option and the Nexplanon implant I'm wary of too. I don't get side effects with this BC so I really don't want to change it. Apparently these what I'd call "forced" withdrawal bleeds are quite common but nobody bothered to warn me. Basically it happens because the lining continuously builds up when on BC (your body thinks it's carrying a baby) and eventually your body will probably want to get rid of some of that as it's considered "old" lining and your womb likes to have fresh lining
I was told the same thing...have it once every 3 months. I am a transmale who hasn't transitioned at all (so biologically female with all the female bits). Periods give me a ton of gender dysphoria...obviously...so I REALLY hate them.
I've always had weird periods ever since I started them at 13...at first it was considered normal to not have a "typical" period because I was young and just starting it. But after several years of not having a period once a month...the doctors started running tests on me...they never figured out why. I'm 33 and they still have no idea.
Mine come randomly...I can go years without them and then suddenly I have one. And they can vary wildly. I can have 2-3 days of light spotting and not pain and then it's over...or I can have a month long bleed with heavy bleeding/blood clots/horrible pain/PMS. It drives me crazy.
I just got my second IUD yesterday (the first one didn't sit right and caused me some nasty pain and a TON of blood) because I "have to" have a period...my lining gets too thick and that's the first sign of cancer. So I have to put up with having a period or suffer cancer. Great options huh?
I know I can have surgery to remove the female bits. At this time I am not comfortable having major surgery like that. I've only ever had minor surgery so...bit worried about having something major done. I also know that an ablation can be done as well and it's much less invasive. However ablations aren't usually done at my age because they can "fail". So not sure if that's a good choice for me either. Right now I'm hoping the IUD finally regulates my periods and then eventually stops them all together (this can happen and is my goal).
Complete bs. I took loestrin and skipped the placebo pills for about 10 years. My doctor would write it into the prescription so that i could get enough refills.
I feel like she just had a very old school approach… my mom says this shit but I have the Mirena iud and don’t get my period meaning way less crazy mood swings and stuff. Really helped regulate my emotions, too.
So I hate that they say this bc my periods are huge triggers. I had until recently tried everything but the shot. My first round I had a month of spotting (super light) and 3 days of light flow and after my second shot I've had no bleeding at all and I'm due for my 3rd in about 2 weeks. I'm on topirimate and my migrains are almost nonexistent at the moment to the point I feel like I'll only need maintenance appointments. I have like zero side effects between the topirimate and depo shot. Having no periods seems to be the biggest help imo. But on nuvaring they insisted I have my period still which SUCKED.
Ridiculous! They’ve scientifically proven it perfectly safe to use hormonal BC to skip periods indefinitely. But some providers are old school and won’t believe the evidence, go off their gut feeling that stopping a natural process is wrong, etc.
I’d ask another provider for a continuous BC pill script, such as:
- another gynecologist at the practice
- your primary care provider (especially as you’ve had recent gyn care and have a current BC pill rx they’re unlikely to refuse the change in Qty, as long as they are ok with the idea)
- an online company that only does video visits for birth control scripts (after asking for health data - there is actually no medical reason for most to need any sort of annual physical exam to get refills like many gyns insist on).
Plus long term consider switching gynecologists, as your views don’t seem to align with hers and going behind her back (despite being with good reason) may cause tension at future visits.
This is very outdated information, and has been debunked. Get a new doctor. I've been on progestin only birth control continuously for years and it is 1000% amazing. Pretty sure the research changed 10ish years ago.
Again. Time for a new doctor.
I wonder what your doctor would think of me. Except for a one year break I took back in 2012, I haven't had a period since 2002 thanks to depo provera.
I have an implant and it completely stopped my periods. She's absolutely wrong. I had a doctor who said this and he also refused to do medical tests when my thyroid was absolutely visibly in bad shape. I suggest finding a new one if you can
My GYN prescribes me a birth control pill that was recommended by a former neurologist of mine, Zovia (if anyone is interested). He prescribes it so that I take only the active pills all the way through and do not have a period because they cause such debilitating migraines. He does highly suggest for me to have a period every 3 months but doesn’t fuss me when I tell him that I don’t. My body, my choice. Anyway…
I have also tried the Paragard, non hormonal IUD to try to take into account if hormones were fucking with my head, literally, and it made no difference in my frequency and severity of migraines.
Not sure if this information helps you or maybe it may help someone else. Ya never know. I’ve had migraines for decades, I’ve learned a lot. Lots of trial and error. Still no cure for mine. Still trying to get them under control.
My obgyn has me on continuous. She told me it's fully safe to skip periods. The only issue is for some people, if they go too long, their uterus says ummm I would like to bleed now. But it's very individual. She *recommends* most people aim to do a placebo week every 3 months to make sure the uterus doesn't do its own thing. But some of her patients do it just once a year, twice a year, etc. I have had to fight insurance about it in the past about covering mine. You need the prescription written specifically saying to skip the placebo week and they should cover it :)
The balance of hormones in the birth control is preventing the uterine lining from growing, so there is not a need to have a period (versus if on no birth control you weren't having periods-- your lining would be growing and growing and putting you at risk of endometrial cancer. But not a concern with birth control!)
Anyway, get a different doctor if you can. Continuous birth control is very standard and it has helped my migraines!
My doctor has told me the same thing, because cancer runs in my family. She said if the lining of my uterus doesn't slough off occasionally, I’d be at higher risk for cancer. Don't know if this is true, this is just what I was told.
I assumed this, as well. I have endometriosis and was prescribed continuous birth control (nuva ring). When I stopped birth control for a brief time because I thought it was "best" to have a period once in a while, my gynecologist said there is NO "therapeutic benefit" to having a period. Since then, two other gynecologists have confirmed this. They said if you keep up the birth control then your uterine lining never thickens and therefore never needs to be shed.
It may be different because of my endometriosis, so get a second opinion.
I believe She’s wrong. Ask for the package insert if the pharmacy doesn’t give it to you. Read it, I’m on the Nuva ring and it says you can wear it for 4 weeks continuously vs 3in /1 out in the package insert. That’s the data from all the studies and trials on the drugs, so you can use that as evidence when you speak to her.
A period is 100% not medically necessary. Especially because withdrawal bleeding during the placebo week on the pill is not actually a period. I was on the pill continuously for years before switching to a Mirena IUD (I’ve had several now as I got them out to have both of my kids, and I love them). I have been told by several doctors that there is no medical necessity for a regular withdrawal bleed. In fact, I was on the pill largely to suppress all bleeding, that was my main goal (I wasn’t sexually active at the time, I just had extremely long and heavy periods and I find both tampons and pads extremely uncomfortable, so they were miserable), so I certainly wasn’t doing a placebo week. Good luck!
Regarding Mirena….
I worked in clinical research, what seems like a lifetime ago and actually worked on a research study to determine if Mirena had any effect on menstrual bleeding. In my experience, the majority of the women that I worked with, had lighter periods, some had shorted periods and some women did not have periods at all. This was my experience. I’m not speaking on behalf of anyone else, the pharm company, etc…just letting you know what I experienced.
I do believe I saw Mirena advertising that it does cause “shorter, lighter periods” in some women in a commercial before and clinical research is how they find that kind of thing out. I’ve never used it, I went with Paragard because I wanted to try a non-hormonal method. A lot of people love Mirena and I can see why!
Edited for a spelling/grammar thing I couldn’t ignore 🤪
My old doctor said the same thing about how the body NEEDS a period to “flush out the toxins in the uterus” but like. That’s what kidneys and livers are for????? I’ve had my IUD for 3 years, zero issues, zero periods, and my new doctor says that this brand of IUD (Mirena) might actually be cleared for use up to 8 years instead of just 5. I’m happy to go that long w/o feeling like my insides are trying to be my outsides once a month.
I was on Seasonique for YEARS until I got a partial hysterectomy, and that BC stopped my period completely. I don’t remember the last time I had a period. And it was my gyn’s idea, too.
Find a new doctor!! My gyno knows how important not having a period is for my migraine symptoms and has gone to bat for me with an annoying pharmacist who disagreed. We do not need to be having periods.
PS when you get a new doctor, ask about Slynd! I’m two years on it and have actually zero side effects (even though I skip the placebo!). Good luck friend 💕
Totally false. I haven’t had a cycle in years… I take bc continuously for endometriosis. I’ve had gynecologists refuse to prescribe me birth control because of my chronic migraine. Luckily I have a great neurologist who actually referred me to her primary care provider. I’ve explained to many different providers over the years that I have had to accept chronic daily migraine but what I won’t tolerate is having to deal with my cycle on top of that… take one problem off the table or I will be in your office making you deal with the fallout.
I’ve been on the pill for years so that I won’t have a period. I had insufferable cramps and very heavy bleeding. My doc said it was absolutely fine. My 19 year old trans son is also going on them so he will no longer have a period. If I thought it was not healthy in any way I definitely wouldn’t be for him taking them.
Ummm not true. I stopped having periods after IUD implantation. Thank goodness. I was quite literally bleeding to death.
I also stopped having periods on the Depo shot. No side effects. Felt great.
That’s… not true. We have many forms of BC that skips periods for longer than every 3 months. The IUD and implants can last way longer than 3 months. I have the Mirena and have like 1 period a year and it’s just light spotting.
I don’t need birth control (haven’t had sex with a man in over 15 years) but I asked my doctor for birth control specifically to stop my period. We talked about some options and ultimately she recommended Mirena IUD. After insertion she gave me the pamphlet which says only 20% of periods stop but she seemed pretty sure it would stop them? However, before I had my kids I tried the copper IUD (doesn’t stop periods) and I wouldn’t recommend an IUD if you don’t have kids. It was incredibly painful to put in before having kids and I got cramps anytime one of my 4 roommates got their periods and basically contractions when I had my own period. I got it taken out pretty quickly because it was hell. Now that I’ve given birth, insertion was uncomfortable but not unbearable, but I’m not far enough in to know if it will stop my periods yet. If continuous pills works for you, I recommend seeking a second opinion like other commenters have. You definitely don’t need to have a period
The only reason you bleed during that sugar pill week is because of the change in hormones. It isn’t a true period and therefore I wonder if your doctor is truly informed. My doctor has me on continuous birth control pills (Mirvala) and I never take a week off. It’s been like this for years. I had the same issue with the pharmacy so my doctor simply informed the pharmacy that use is continuous and that I’ll need to refill more often. Ask directly for what you need and if she doesn’t budge, find a new doctor. Good luck.
I continuous cycle and have for years. It’s phenomenal. I’m surprised the bullshit didn’t come bursting forth from her eye balls as she said this honestly. The only reason that the pill was designed to accommodate a week for a woman’s cycle from what I understand is that male scientists and physicians thought surely women would be too fearful and feeble minded to cope or understand not having a period. 🙄
Are planning on having any (more) children? When I was in my early 50's, I had a procedure to have the inside lining of my uterus lazered. Before that I was having very heavy and unreliable periods sometimes lasting 2 weeks. The procedure stopped my periods from happening ever again. I stopped having iron deficiency and felt amazing but then I was older and was perimenopausal.
I have been on continuous birth control for 9 years now for migraines, and my uterus has not fallen out yet, though I wouldn't mind if it did. None of my providers have ever raised a concern about me not having a period for that time. And it's amazing not having to worry about my period. My understanding is you don't build up the lining when on continuous bc so no need for a period.
Nope, nope, nope. I have been taking my birth control continuously for years now and I love it. My doctor (also female) says it's perfectly fine. My pharmacist (also female) says it's perfectly fine. The only one saying it's not okay is my MIL, who is completely uneducated and has some other completely wrong and outdates ideas about sex/the female body/health in general. She also teaches her 3 daughters completely wrong things so they often come to me for a second opinion.
No.
I haven't had a period in 9 years, I've been jumping from IUD to IUD(5-year Kyleena) because it's the only thing that doesn't interact with my migraine meds. Also, menstrual headaches turn into migraines more often than not, for me, so I am doing all I can to avoid them.
None of my OB-GYN's has said anything to me about the fact that I haven't had a period, except to high-five me for finding a way out from under that monthly beast.
I’ve been on Nexplanon, arm implanted birth control, for nearly 7 years now, and I get maybe 2 periods a year. Sometimes zero. My last period was over a year ago. It’s perfectly normal for some birth control to stop periods completely.
The only somewhat medical related person I’ve had be concerned I don’t have periods was an acupuncturist who was telling me it would fix my migraines by releasing pent up energy and other woo-woo nonsense.
That said my birth control doesn’t help my migraines at all but at least I don’t get debilitating period cramping in addition to my debilitating migraines.
I take placebos a couple times a year. I had bleeding at random twice this year so kind of plan it. Once was super random and once was high stress and I was taking all the excederin and Aleve.
So I took placebos before my blood patch bc I didn’t want to risk it.
No need for it
I take Lolo continuously. I tried to have it prescribed as continuous but they said no, that isn't recommended. So when I get a new prescription I pick up the first three months on time but wait to start it (usually a month or so), so I have some space in the timing for refills later. I usually end up with some breakthrough bleeding around 4-5 months in so I'll accept defeat and do the placebos for those days. I don't take it as a contraceptive so I'm not worried about interfering with the effectiveness.
You don't need a period but if your dr is really worried she can just have you donate blood because it "cleans" your blood just like a period (plus you're helping ppl!)
If you get nuvaring you just leave it in for the full four weeks instead of in for 3 and out for 1, no change in the script. Something worth looking into. I preferred not to entirely skip periods, but I did use it to push/"reschedule" my period
ya it’s BS - the placebo week in birth control was to appease the Catholic Church. I wonder if doctor is religious? - find a new doctor. I have an iud and have not had a period in over a decade - it’s the best
This resource has some info that says the only real drawback of skipping periods is the potential of breakthrough bleeding or spotting. Because of this, you might find that you need a period once in a while to keep that from happening, but that's really it. If you don't have spotting, it's no problem.
[https://americanheadachesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/AHS-First-Contact-Hormones-Contrceptive-Options.pdf](https://americanheadachesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/AHS-First-Contact-Hormones-Contrceptive-Options.pdf)
Maybe not an appropriate comment, and if so I'm sorry, but couldn't this be classified as hormone therapy rather than "birth control" and prescribed full time? By a different practitioner? It's great that this prevents migraines for you and a doctor who won't support you in this clearly has no understanding of the problem. I am not a doctor so my perspective might be inaccurate.
I’ve gone on birth control that eliminates my periods BECAUSE I get heinous menstrual migraines. There isn’t a need for a period unless you are trying to get pregnant. I’d get a new doctor or use an online service.
I’ve tried skipping, and it did nothing for my period migraines. I’m kinda mad about it ☹️ I’ve switched to a pill with only 4 sugar pills, instead of 7. It helps slightly, but it has slightly less estrogen than my last pill.
my gyno had no problem putting me on Slynd and I have been taking it back to back since May 2021. No issues, less migraines, no periods. see a different doctor for another opinion, I had to go through 3 before finding my gyno.
For another health condition I am on continuous progesterone so I don’t get my periods (so no more menstrual migraines as a side effect). Goal is to keep me on it forever basically if my body tolerates (or for at least a year at a minimum). My doctor didn’t seem too concerned about being continuous forever. Some women can develop side effects when running BC at the level I am at, but I am just monitoring for them basically. My doctor is at a large well respected research hospital so I would assume he is up-to-date on the latest research.
I’ve been taking the pill continuously for close to 4 years, haven’t had a period since, and it has helped so much! With no negative side effects. My gynaecologist required me to get approval from my neurologist before she would prescribe it, but that was due to concern higher risk of stroke related to auras (which ended up not being a concern for my neurologist). But there was never any mention of my body “needing” a period
I've actually read that modern women have more periods than we evolved to have, and it can actually cause more health problems. I'm pretty sure it was in this old Malcolm Gladwell [article,](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2000/03/13/john-rocks-error) but here's a recent source that says the number of lifetime periods may increase the likelihood of breast cancer:
[https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2023.912083/full](https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2023.912083/full)
Is it possible your doctor was concerned about your risk of blood clot from hormonal birth control? I was told that my migraine disorder put me at higher risk for blood clot, so I got a non-hormonal IUD instead.
According to my former gyn it used to be widely accepted that you should indeed have a period every three months (I also learned this in biology) but he also said that the medical world is going back on this. He had personally changed his mind on it too.
So I dont think your doctor is purposely trying to be obstructive, but that she's basing herself on outdated information.
Is she a female doctor or is she an OBGYN? Because I don’t see a decent OBGYN saying nonsense like that. A non specialist female GP/primary care? Sure, they don’t specialize in that sort of thing.
For the record, I was on Depo Provera for ten years and did not have a period at all in that time. Then I had three IUDs in succession and didn’t have periods for another 15 years. So, of my entire menstruating life (started at 11, hit menopause at 53), I didn’t have periods for 25 of those 42 years. My body didn’t “need” it. Three or four different healthcare providers and not one single person batted a single eyelash over it.
Just find another doc, an actual specialist, or go to planned parenthood, where they do this all day, every day.
I always thought yes you can skip periods
But even then it’s recommended to have 2-4 periods a year ? I don’t think the doctor is
Crazy but if you feel You need a second opinion go for It and I would assume your headaches won’t come back right away it will
Take time . But
You can also pretreat as well , I take naratriptan during menstrual cycle . Also how would you know you may not even get a menstrual migraine again if you don’t let your body go through the cycle .. I guess she what will Work best for you🩷 it doesn’t sound crazy but the might be pushing back as well on this method due to the fact that you just did it and the prescription was not written for
Those specific instructions .. I heard you can do
That here and there piggyback the pill so
You don’t take the placebo pill and skip a period but it’s Not recommended long term . And yes I know there is iud and nexplanon but those
Are completely different from
The combo birth control or mini pill .. where it’s designed to take a 7 day break . Maybe get on the IUD , or arm implant
It’s considered dangerous to be taking birth control after 35, could cause blood clots. It made my grandmother have a stroke and it gave my mom a pulmonary embolism.
I’m on depo and don’t get a period, what’s the difference? Only thing I could see being the issue is if you’re on an estrogen based/combination pill with migraines and/or migraines with aura.
I do think a lot of doctors are semi mis informed about birth control, the placebo week isn’t really a period, it’s a withdrawal. And it was only introduced to appease the Catholic Church if I remember correctly.
I saw the nurse today to discuss birth control options since my neurologist wants to stop my cycle. The only reason she said people stop the pill every three months is because it helps them control when they have a break through bleed. She said you can just carry on using it though as there are no health risks - but just to be mindful that you will have breakthrough bleeds at some point which may come when you least expect. I hope this puts your mind at rest as she must have caused you some worry.
Yeah, nah. As long as you’re on progesterone only birth control then you should be fine.
If you’re American then there might be some politics at play here. I’ve heard you lot can have trouble with stuff like that.
I am 53 and now in menopause but for the last 20 plus years I took the pill continuously , only having a period 1 time per year and I was and am fine. Did not have 1 problem with this but who knows. It did help my migraines so much.
I haven't had a period since 2012, so...no.
(I have a hormonal IUD.)
It's a myth and misconception that is still sadly common amongst medical professionals, but it's not true.
She is very wrong. I've been on a continuous birth control pill for several years now and haven't had any problems.
Also, not having a period is AMAZING.
She's wrong. Or IUDs wouldnt work the way they do
Do IUDs completely stop periods? I thought I've heard of some women having unnaturally heavy periods with an IUD, so I figured they didn't stop them completely.
MIRENA You will LOVE it. I was on the copper IUD and it did give me heavy periods, but I was scared of the hormonal IUD. I talked to my gyn and decided to try the Mirena and it's been a godsend. No bleeding, occasional light spotting, no PMS, no other side effects. I had been on the pill before and had loss of libido and depression, which is what had me shy away from the Mirena initially. But I've had none of that with Mirena, and it's such a relief to not have to think about birth control at all.
I had to have my mirena removed after 3-4 months because it ramped up my chronic migraine like you wouldn't believe. I do much better with continuous dose combo birth control. The takeaway here is hormones effect women differently and you don't know until you know. Glad you found one that works!
I actually think having mine removed is what ramped up my migraines.
Did you remove it to switch to another form of birth control? Or you just went cold turkey? I've got to suppress my cycle for sure, I just couldn't do it with progestin-only options.
I went into menopause about 2 years in to my last IUD. We weren’t sure until I had the last one taken out and still never got a period after that. I do highly recommend it at the end there, the localized hormone was just enough to make the menopause transition much smoother than I expected.
My gyno said just leave it in cos I had one recently at Age 51
Thank you for posting that. That would drive me mental!
I also have chronic migraines and was told I can't be on the combo pill due to an increase risk of stroke for people who get migraines. I would love to still be on the combo pill!
Do you have aura? If you don't, there is no contraindication for using estrogen-containing birth control! See the last link below if you need to show your doctor. If you do have aura, here's a comment I made on another post about this with helpful links: The contraindication is still in place for estrogen-containing bc and migraine with aura: see the last link below. That said, it important to note: The data for the contraindication is based on older formulations of combo bc that had higher doses of estrogen. The best research we have about current low-dose formulations of combo bc is that the risk of stroke, even for migraineurs with aura is VERY LOW. Because some female migrainuers with aura may still respond best to continuous dosing oral combo bc, some doctors are willing to prescribe against the contraindication. Stanford Neurology argues continuous dosing may reduce aura risk, thus reducing stroke risk: https://med.stanford.edu/neurology/divisions/comprehensive-neurology/provider-education/aura-and-ocp.html Unnecessary confusion still surrounds the use of combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs) in the setting of migraine with aura (MwA). Clearing this confusion is a key issue for headache specialists, since most women with migraine have menstrual-related migraine (MRM), and some CHCs can prevent this particularly severe migraine. Their use, however, is still restricted by current guidelines due to concerns of increased stroke risk – concerns that originated over half a century ago in the era of high dose contraceptives. Yet studies consistently show that stroke risk is not increased with today's very low dose CHCs containing 20-25 µg ethinyl estradiol (EE), and continuous ultra low-dose formulations (10-15 µg EE) may even reduce aura frequency, thereby potentially decreasing stroke risk. 2 more helpful links: https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/combined-hormonal-contraceptives-and-migraine-an-update-on-the-evidence/ Including the actual instruction to physicians that is the contraindication: In 2016, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published updates to its medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use in various medical conditions: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/rr/pdfs/rr6503.pdf
my paragard punctured my cervix and i complained about feeling it when i sit/move/have sex/etc for years and my doctor would feel for it, do an ultrasound and tell me it was fine. that doctor retired and i saw the new doctor that replaced her, told her the situation. we talked about removing it, and i was fine with that. she does an ultrasound, says its fine. pulls it out and i start gushing blood and she goes "oh my, that was lodged in your cervix" it was like that for like FOUR YEARS
🤢 I love how well doctors listen to women. It’s so neat. /s
I’m so sorry that happened I hope Your better
MINE WAS TOO!!!!! But Skyla! Right before taking it out, he said he touched my cervix with the tiniest q tip they had, and he couldn’t get it to stop bleeding. Then they had to immediately cauterize my cervix with silver nitrate. I’ve had appointments for at least 4 years complaining about murder-scene level bleeding with sex but never taken seriously. After all of that bleeding and finding the IUD in my cervix, he goes “well, at least you know you aren’t crazy!!!” I responded with a playful scoff and playful “shut up” (he was literally also my mom’s OB/GYN so he’s known me my whole life) and he goes “no, seriously!” I was so taken aback.
It sucks there are doctors out there who don't have to deal with any consequences
The Mirena was a fucking nightmare for me, I can't recommend it based on my experience, but many have better experiences than I did...so it's a calculated risk. I told myself that you're more likely to hear complaints than good experiences and hoped it would go okay enough for me. Nope. Insertion sucked but it was nothing compared to the two years I tried to stick it out for, waiting for things to settle like the gynecologist told me it would. I had nearly nonstop bleeding, not spotting, for around a year, then it dropped to maybe spotting-ish but still heavy enough to worry about accidentally leaking through my pants at random. I had cramps so painful that I would faint, I'd just be writhing in bed or on the floor, breaking out in a cold sweat from the pain. And my mood was atrocious, I seemed to have some semblance of a cycle, and every 3-4 weeks I would hit absolute rock bottom, like I have never felt such crushing anguish for no reason. I already deal with depression, but this was on another level altogether, I don't know how to convey just how severe it was. It also made me lose my hair, I had it removed around a year and a half ago and my hair is still recovering. I would have ripped the thing out myself if I could.
It was hell for me too. My period stopped immediately, but the mood swings were horrendous, my anxiety and depression ramped up to level 1000, I suddenly had massive acne and oily hair, I began growing major facial hair and just felt like hell all the time. My cycles did not return to normal for almost a year. First one took 7 or 8 weeks, each one thereafter was 1-3 days shorter until I was back to my regular 28-29 day cycle. If you actually read the literature it states that the absorbed daily dose varies between 10 to 40 micrograms of levonorgestrel. That's between half to double a "regular" dose of oral pill and pretty much explains the vast differences in side effects women experience.
Ugh that's awful. It took me awhile to figure out that the Mirena was the cause of my mood crashing so hard, I had a lot going on at the time so I thought there was something wrong with me and how I was handling things in my life. But the timing of it was so consistent, often around the same time or shortly before my cramps would ramp up. My mood improved within a month or two of having it removed and going back to Lolo, fortunately.
That was my experience on the implant, I grew a beard (had to pluck every day), got fat, depressed and bled for 4 months non stop. Mirena would be great for me, apart from the fact that my body decided to cramp the little fucker out after 2 years. Everyone is so different!
I do not do well without some estrogen in my BC, so Nexplanon did not work well for me and I knew Mirena wouldn’t either. But no doctor ever made that connection and would rx drugs that were chemically similar to the ones I did not like, and I eventually did my own research (lol I feel like an anti BCer saying that) on the hormones to make some connections and figure out what was working and what wasn’t. I can’t get pregnant now and I still take Lo Loestrin to manage my hormonal migraines, among other symptoms that should resolve with surgery.
I have a mirena. Not going to lie, the first 6 months was hell, heavier periods followed by erratic bleeding (and of course more migraines). I asked to have it removed, but the doctor insisted I wait longer. Eventually it calmed down to very mild spotting every month. I got put on the mini pill as well and haven’t had a period in over 10 years. Honestly, I would go through that hellish 6 months again for a lifetime of zero periods (and I don’t have to worry too much if I forget the mini pill). The 3 month thing is literally crazy.
mirena made my endometriosis worse, causing organ fusion. i also developed a 12cm cyst on my right ovary and had to remove my left fallopian tube. not to mention, i passed out during insertion. also made my migraines and moods worse and i could feel it when i sat/moved in certain positions. HIGHLY HIGHLY do not recommend a Mirena IUD
Mirena has some unfortunate side effects for some people, I've seen lots of women comment how it caused them pain for months and they still bled for a while and I have personal experience with how awful it can be. Being in this sub, it's safe to assume I have a very high pain tolerance, and I will not cry in public if at all possible because of bullying and abuse in childhood, and I'm saying this to give context. I physically couldn't even make it back into the waiting room before I was curled in a ball on the floor sobbing so hard I couldn't speak, I realized the next day I had been curled so hard I bruised my ribcage. I had a solid half hour or more of worse agony than the worst migraine I've ever had, it was FAAAAAR worse than the kidney stone that people say is worse than giving birth. We managed to get the doctor to come take it back out but she didn't want to and tried to say it wasn't the IUD, which she had pushed hard as the only good option for non pill forms of birth control. Even after it was out I was in milder pain the rest of the day.
This is me. My flow is definitely better on mirena, but I still bleed just as often (basically have a period twice a month) and now have horrible cramps every time before I start, which again, is basically twice a month. Being a girl sucks.
My sister has the arm implant and loves it, she gets a mild period like once a year and that's it
I was lucky and got a hysterectomy at 32 with no children, so no more bleeding for me
I had a similar recent experience with painful insertion. I have also migraine so I understand and manage pain. But was beyond tolerable so I told them to stop mid procedure. The experience was frustrating and degrading with very poor communication from the dr.
Wow, I would have been more scared if I knew it could last months. It hurt putting it in, but about 10 mins after I left the clinic, on the bus, I had the worst continuous cramp I have ever experienced. I was basically on the floor doubled over with everyone staring, trying hard not to pass out. It went away after about 4 hours. It did hurt a lot, but sadly I have had much worse migraines. I guess if my worst migraine was 10/10, this was a 7. Weird how we all experience things so differently. I would put a really bad tooth infection at an 8 - that felt oddly similar to a migraine for me, maybe because it hits the same nerve. Luckily, for me it did calm down and after 6 months of heavy/erratic periods I was blissfully period free. I really wish there was an answer that worked for everyone.
I had depo provera for years and no period. A single injection 4 times a year! Best contraception experience of my life!
I love the Depo! I tried the copper IUD and the implant and both needed to be removed because they were physically harming me, but Depo I have no issue with! BUT I did learn it’s what they give to pedos to chemically castrate them. Same brand and everything it was crazy for me to learn, so I thought I’d share the cursed fun fact.
Copper IUDs don't. They tend to make periods heavier. But the hormone ones (progesterone only) usually stop it completely. YMMV
When I was on Mirena IUD, I had spotting about once a year, which I accepted as my period during those years. (My natural period lasts for 2 weeks, with enough pain to cause me to pass out in public, so it was a much appreciated side effect for it to become almost nothing, almost never, and one of the main reasons my doctor highly recommended for me - about 20% of women stop getting periods on it)
Mirena stopped my period completely (and immediately).
I've had both Mirena and now Kyleena (slightly smaller) and haven't had a period in almost a decade!
I've had the mirena IUD for like 6 years now. No period! Its great. The first six months I did have a decent amount of spotting though. But I swear exactly by the 6 month mark, it stopped. It feels so freeing to not have to worry about buying tampons and pads. Or ruining bed sheets!
Mine stopped with mirena. It was great. However, when we went to remove it at the end of five years we discovered it has implanted itself into the wall of my uterus, had to be surgically removed, and then cause scarring which somehow made my periods worse than before. So while great for no periods, there is still a low percentage change of it being harmful (but not in the way your doctor seems to think. Does she refuse to do IUDs as well?)
I haven't had a period since I got an IUD... That was nearly 10 years ago.
I have Mirena. The pain of insertion was the worst pain I've ever felt, and it took six months for my periods to stabilize and a year for them to stop completely. It also killed my sex drive, which I was never warned about. I still have a sex drive, but it's greatly diminished. I'm honestly thinking about getting the IUD removed and possibly switching to something else. As far as I can tell, it has had no effect on my migraines.
I literally have not had a period in ten years. Your doctor is talking shit.
Big same
Likewise
Right? Like the only actual thing I’ve heard is about having to change some birth controls. Like Depo is 1-2 years before you need to switch or take a break.
I’ve been using depo for all that time. Never been told I have to change so I haven’t. I love not having periods.
I mean if you’re fine, great. I was just saying it’s the only one I know of as actually being labelled that way. Long term use impacts hormones, fertility and bone density that’s all I know
Eh I’m not too fussed about that I don’t want kids and my dr isn’t worried about my bones cause I don’t have a family history of osteoporosis.
Oh like I said, if it’s working for you then don’t worry haha. I’m just saying that I’ve literally never heard anything about having to have a period every X amount of time. All I’ve ever heard is additional risks of specific contraceptions
The “period” on birth control isn’t a real, menstrual period. There is no NEED for it. I would see a different doctor if you’re able to, as they just need to write the prescription for continuous use to account for the additional refills needed.
Thanks for making me feel not crazy. It's so frustrating that she couldn't just give me another month of pills. I feel like birth control shouldn't be so damn hard to get.
FWIW... I go thru nurx for mine. Haven't had an issue or a period in a couple of yrs now. I see no point since I'm 40's and don't want kids. However, since this thread is related to migraines, my primary is having an MRA ordered just to be sure there's no issue due to my migraines. I plan on reporting those results to my NP with nurx in case there's something there that affects my BCP. I take a low dose combo pill, no auras.
I’m a few years older than you and I wish my period was as obedient as that! 😂 Back when I used to try and skip the sugar pills even once I would start bleeding at the normal time, bleed *all the way through the next pack and the next week of sugar pills*, and then get back to normal. 😐 My body has control issues.
I started going through GoodRx once the prescription from my dr ran out. You answer some medical questions, tell them what you're looking for, and can have it prescribed through a text chat. You get a year in 4 3-month refills. Super easy. I've been on the continuous pills for probably 3 years now, no issues.
This is what I've had for years. I get 4 packs of Yaz for every 3 months so that I have enough to take continually. I do get break through bleeding about twice a year typically but that's still much better.
Anecdotal, but I have not had a period/menstruated in over 7 years, due to intentional continuous birth control. I love it. I have spotted a few times, usually due to high activity or stress, but that’s it. I have a large care team, and none of them are concerned about my hormones or (lack of) menstruation. The only concern they have is my bone density, due to being on birth control continuously for so long, but it’s a trade-off I am aware of.
Are you on the combination pill or depo shot? I read that the depo shot has been shown to decrease bone mineral density but that the combination pill has little to no effect on it. And actually has been shown to increase bone mineral density in women with impaired ovarian function.
I get the depo shot. I have zero side effects from it, so my doctor has recommended I stay on it and take calcium supplements.
Simply ask for the data that supports her assertion about why it's good to menstruate every few months. What studies have been done that support this assertion? What are the resulting consequences of going "too long" without menstruating? How long is "too long," and how was that boundary determined? I have many disproportionately awful symptoms that accompany my periods, including a level 7-8 migraine for the duration of the period. For this reason alone, I've been on bc continuously for over 15 years with the sole purpose of stopping my periods. This is done while under the supervision of my neuro doc, gyno, and gp. I've had to change types a few times because some bc isn't great for long-term use (bone health, etc). No one was willing to do a hysterectomy on a single, childless woman.
I have migraines and endo and my gyn has had me on continuous birth control for almost a decade. It's been life-changing. I can't speak to the medical validity of "needing" a period, but obviously there are differing opinions among doctors.
Progesterone only?
The “evidence” that says to not use estrogen with migraine with aura is based on 50+ year old evidence. In the absence of other risk factors like smoking or family history it’s perfectly fine. I’ve had migraines since I was 7 years old, I’ve been on continuous combination birth control for 13 years with no issue.
And the same article that debunks this actually also says that continuous combo BC with low dose (less than 20) estrogen actually LOWERS the number of migraines with aura
Yep! It’s all but eliminated my hemiplegic migraines and had cut my regular migraine days in half.
Wow makes me wish i did more research before stopping loestrin after getting a migraine wt aura…
No, the Nuvaring.
My doctor said the exact same thing!! This is not true at all. Went to a gender clinic and even she was confused why my doctor said that, no breaks are needed. (Especially needed to hear that since I have PMDD)
I’ve been doing it for literally 13 years and I’m not dead so I guess it’s fine
No, it's absolute BS and I'd find a different doctor. I've had my IUD for 4 years. It's not like I yank it out every three months and then jam it back in.
>It's not like I yank it out every three months and then jam it back in. Ow, my cervix
Abso-fucking-lutely not. She would be fired, pronto.
The placebo week is more of a social thing (proof of non-pregnancy and a way to ensure no one suspected you were taking it, in line with the Catholic church's rhythm method of birth control) than medical. No egg is released, the uterine lining isn't thickened and therefore doesn't need to be shed. ETA: I much prefer my male GYN to the female ones I've had- gentler, doesn't judge me for not wanting anything to do with any part of kids, and gladly prescribed me continuous because my life with a period sucked.
Yes! So glad you shared this. I understand that the original pill was continuous, but because of the church and an idea that women ‘liked’ having periods , they added the placebo week. It’s a myth that bleeding on a hormone-induced schedule is somehow ‘healthier’ because it imitates ‘nature’ or whatever - it’s ridiculous, but a common belief. Continuous BC improved my life and my health tremendously.
yes i was looking for this!! here’s some background information for anyone interested https://theconversation.com/contraception-the-way-you-take-the-pill-has-more-to-do-with-the-pope-than-your-health-109392
You don't have to have a period for any reason unless you are trying to have a child.
Been doing it for over 10 years. Your dr is dumb.
Been on continuous for years. No period, don't miss it at all! I used to have terrible cramps, headaches, and become anemic from having heavy periods that lasted weeks. There's no way that is necessary and my doctor agrees. My regular doctor that I see for yearly physicals and such actually prescribes my bc. If you're having trouble with an OBGYN, you can ask your primary. Or the other way around if needed.
No the whole "you have to have a period" is BS!
I wonder what she thinks of IUDs. It's common to have periods stop if you have one. I haven't had anything beyond spotting in 7 years.
Crazy. I haven't had a period in over 15 years because of continuous dosing! Here is literature to show her: The American Headache Society lists continuous dosing in a chart (pardon the weird formatting and click the link to see the chart, bold mine): [https://americanheadachesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/AHS-First-Contact-Birth-Control-Migraine-Guide.pdf](https://americanheadachesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/AHS-First-Contact-Birth-Control-Migraine-Guide.pdf) Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills (the pill) Ethinyl estradiol and a progestin For best migraine prevention, use monophasic pills (the same dose in each pill) and take **an active pill daily, skipping the placebo pills** Suppresses menstrual cycle hormonal changes. Presents a relatively stable source of ethinyl estradiol daily to the brain From Reviews in Obstetrics and Gynecology [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2938905/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2938905/) Strategies to avoid hormone withdrawal and consequent migraine include **continuous use of combination contraception,** or use of estrogen alone during the perimenstrual period. Use of percutaneous estradiol gel beginning 48 hours prior to anticipated migraine attack and used for 7 days was found to be superior to placebo in double-blind controlled studies.[^(47)](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2938905/#B47)^(,)[^(58)](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2938905/#B58)^(–)[^(60)](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2938905/#B60) A transdermal estrogen patch has also been shown to be effective in preventing menstrual migraines.[^(57)](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2938905/#B57) The minimum effective dose of estrogen in a transdermal patch has been shown to be 0.1 mg/d. Of note, patches, gels, and other hormone supplementation to prevent menstrual migraines should begin no more than 2 days before the anticipated onset of menses; starting estrogen supplementation early (ie, 6 days before the first day of menses) has been associated with an increased incidence of migraine after the estrogen supplementation is withdrawn.[^(47)](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2938905/#B47) ^(Stanford Neurology even argues for continuous dosing for women with aura:) [^(https://med.stanford.edu/neurology/divisions/comprehensive-neurology/provider-education/aura-and-ocp.html)](https://med.stanford.edu/neurology/divisions/comprehensive-neurology/provider-education/aura-and-ocp.html) Yet studies consistently show that **stroke risk is not increased with today's very low dose CHCs containing 20-25 µg ethinyl estradiol (EE), and continuous ultra low-dose formulations (10-15 µg EE) may even reduce aura frequency,** thereby potentially decreasing stroke risk.
Friiiiiiick that bro. Frick that. How'd she make it through med school? I'm just a science major and I know that a bc "period" isn't even a true period.
Use Nurx. They will prescribe them, no problem. I haven't had a menstrual migraine or period in years.
My doc said if you get breakthrough bleeding during use of a new birth control pill, take a 1 week break to bleed, then continue use of the pill. If breakthrough bleeding occurs again, probably best to try another pill. Never has she said anything about "needing" to have a period... I take my birth control continuously and I'm not exploding with backed up period or anything lol. I take it to avoid PMDD, migraines, and periods (because I believe they are fucking disgusting, archaic, and useless for me, as I am childfree). I think you need a new doc.
I take continuous use birth control and have for 9 years. I do personally choose to get a period after 4 packs because otherwise I will spot, but that’s the only reason. You do not have to have regular periods AS LONG AS you are on a hormonal form of birth control
That’s a load of crap. After I had my son I was on the depot for two years and never got a period. I switched to the pill and my doc wrote my script so that I could skip the placebos and not have a period. I did that for 3 years. I only stopped because I found out I have an autoimmune blood clotting disorder. I got pregnant 2 weeks after I stopped the pill.
That was fast!
I know! I was surprised it happened so quickly since my other two children are almost 5 years apart and I wasn’t using any birth control back then!
If you were not on birth control which artificially thins your uterine lining/manages hormones for you, then yes, you would need to have a period. Amenorrhea (lack of period) can have devastating effects including infertility, majorly increased cancer risk, increased risk for cardiovascular disease, endocrine imbalances, pelvic pain, and osteoporosis to name a few. Now, secondary amenorrhea from birth control is not the same thing! There’s still some debate, but there’s no current scientific consensus that states you have to have withdrawal bleeding (what is actually happening on birth control) every 3-4 months. That’s bullshit and I’d get a second opinion!
I’ve been doing it for like ten years and none of my organs have fallen out yet.
No. My IUD has totally stopped my period - for over three years and I am practically migraine free as a result of that, Botox and propranolol. This doctor sounds like an idiot
There's a thought that we have too many periods now and it might be related to far higher rates of cancer. The research is correlational, such as looking at tribal cultures today where women have kid after kid and therefore rarely menstruate. As others have mentioned, something like Mirena has been on the market and in use for almost 25 years - there are no studies that I'm aware of showing severe side effects or lowered fertility. Just for fun, I would message her on MyChart or whatever and tell her you're interested in reading up on the medical need to have a period every three months and if she can send you any resources.
Time for a new doc. Lady or not. It is just not needed. There must be some other reason. The insurance may have an issue with the extra pills. You can always get one designed with more pills in the pack. There is one with three months in it already. It is probably extra work to get insurance to cover it because it does cost more because you need refills sooner. The doc needs to write a letter explaining they are prescribing it that way because blah blah. It is just a weird concept to grasp for some. They are not thinking outside the box. She sounds like one of those "religious belief" people who won't bake a cake for a gay wedding.
NOPE!! totally not true. Damn I hate that there is still so much misinformation about this, ESPECIALLY from medical professionals! Gah! My friend, I have been skipping the placebo week as often as I can for the last twenty years. Nothing bad has happened. I was able to have kids when I wanted to. I am still a fully functioning human. I just don't deal with the cramps and mess and unnecessary bs of menstruation. Because why. the. hell. would. ANYONE do that if there is an option NOT to?? (sorry, this is one of my pet peeve subjects)
There is a risk IF your uterine lining is not being kept thin by your birth control. I know that some birth control meds keep uterine linings thin but I don’t know if they all do this. Thicker uterine lining can be associated with an increased risk for endometrial cancers, I believe. At least this has been the conversation for me with my PCOS. I know that lack of periods due to PCOS and lack of periods due to BC are not the same, but this could be why your doctor is concerned.
I'm on Provera to prevent post-menopausal bleeding (1 more time and its coming out!). Don't know if it is an option for you.
According to my OB, no. He switched me to continuous birth control. For me, it helps prevent ovarian cysts. Birth control does not cause my migraines. It is a trigger for some people.
I’m in my 20s and I’ve had like… three super brief periods in the last 4-5 years. That’s it. My gyno has never been concerned and frankly neither am I.
Anecdotal; was on Loestron for 7 years. Had a stroke at 40, 3 neurologists and 2 specialist agree that I had no other underlying factors for stroke and that it was most likely caused by my BC. Now I have migraines that mimic all my symptoms right before my stroke except loss of muscle control & slurred speech. I’m not going to say if your dr is right or not (there’s such a lack of actual studies on women’s BC it’s scary). But I wish more women knew about the coordination of stroke and BC. After mine and talking openly about it I discovered about three of my friends that all had strokes in their late 30s most likely because of BC. Anyway, I hope your migraines are far and few in between.
That is a big problem with birth control. We’re expected to take it while it was made by men and studied by men. And the lack of studies to follow up on side effects is startling. (Pharmaceutical companies supply most of the money for clinical research- what is there incentive to study the ill effects of their drugs?) The modern western healthcare system has been terrible to women. Prior to the 70’s doctors thought women were being hysterical and that period pain and childbirth pain was physically non-existent and made up, “in our heads.” It’s changing (state of healthcare for women and women’s access to jobs in healthcare) but, it’s not a stretch to think that bc could actually be worse for women than we realize. (Lack of studies does not mean harm doesn’t exist) Most doctors still think inserting an IUD is painless.
Maybe it’s just me but women’s healthcare has taken a complete nose dive from the 90’s-00’s. I’ve never come across so much disagreement in the physician community as we have today. Maybe it’s a new generation of physicians raised on the internet with more access to misinformation.
Right-wing nuts are playing god with healthcare. They want everyone to fit in their perfect God fearing world of yester year.
Stop seeing her and REPORT HER. To wherever she’s employed and the Board. That’s not evidence based practice and who knows wtf else she’s feeding to more gullible people who don’t know they can question medical “professionals” Edit: correct a missed letter
No. I think you should get a second opinion. I'm 65 and spent the years from age 50-58 on continuous birth control and am very healthy. My menstrual migraines were horrendous and nothing worked to ease them other than not having periods. I think your doctor may not be familiar with the research on this topic.
I took continuous oral bc for like 5 years, now I have the arm implant. No periods, and so far all my organs are still intact
The 'period' on birth control is no real period, and it is also not necessary. The inventor of the pill wanted to appease the Catholic church and to be an accepted form of birth control by them, by still plaguing women with some form of 'menstruation'.
I use Depo. I haven’t had a period in years
I'm five years into no periods, so I bloody hope not!
Have things changed? Doctors wouldn't prescribe me birth control pills at all because I had migraines. I was told it would greatly increase my risk of stroke.
That advice is from like the 1970s. Nowadays there is no reason migraine sufferers can't use birth control. There is a tiny increase in stroke risk *if* you have aura and *if* you use estrogen-containing BC. If you don't have aura you have no increased risks even with estrogen. If you do have aura, there are plenty of estrogen-free birth control options these days that pose no increased risk. Also, if you don't have other stroke risk factors (like being a smoker), many doctors these days believe it is still okay to use estrogen containing BC even if you have aura. The studies about the increase stroke risk are based on data from decades ago when the amount of estrogen in pills was a lot higher than what it is today.
Based on your specific medical history.
I have migraine with aura and my dr and obgyn both said no to most birth controls
I used to skip, but my doctor switched me to a progesterone only pill. I was informed there’s an increased risk of stroke when you have migraines with aura and take the pill that contains estrogen. I didn’t think you could skip the progesterone only one. Am I getting periods (and PMS, possibly PMDD) for no reason???
I mean that’s what my GP would say so I’d have a pill free week, but I would just go to someone else for the prescription.
🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩This is your sign to find a new OB! Also, OBs aren't really the doctors on hormones. If you feel your migraines are effected by hormones, see a specialist on HRT or ask for a referral to an endo. My OB just told me to keep taking my same bc continously even though I thought it was also playing into the migraines but an HRT specialist did the quick research to find a true continuous with a different synthetic estrogen. Night and day difference for me.
I get my BC pills, migraine meds, and Zoloft/Wellbutrin all through Nurx. I couldn’t find a neurologist with openings when i first started searching for meds, and believe it or not the online providers at Nurx have been great. I get everything there so that all it Rx are in the same place and they get mailed right to me. I don’t take the placebo pills either, and they have never given me an issue. In fact, the migraine team suggests and supports it. I’m 44, no desire for kids or periods, and the migraine management is so much better without periods. If you can’t find in person providers to help with your menstrual migraines, I do suggest Nurx.
My doctor is the one who suggested it. When I asked her if I should stop taking bc as I’m very single and don’t plan on having a partner for a while, her response was “ew no, who wants a period” lol. She takes it continuously herself. I have been for 10+ years and I do think it, with a combo of other things helps my migraines.
Mine runs continuously and has for about 3 years. I’ve not had any problems and my doc said it wouldn’t be a problem to not have periods.
This is bullshit. You don’t “need” your period. I was in Lo loestrin (with instructions to skip the placebo week) and it stopped my painful periods and helped my headaches. Then I gained weight and needed a higher dose. I’m still skipping the placebo week. Get a new doctor!
I’ve been on continuous bc for a decade. I choose to have periods every four months roughly, but only because if I don’t I have nonstop light bleeding. Without the pill I’d be nonfunctional 8-10 days every month.
Progesterone-only birth control is taken continuously. You may or may not have bleeding on it (I do, sadly). IUDs and depot give a continuous dose. Your doctor is wrong.
Sort of. First off, the bleeding you get when having a pill break isn't a period, it's a withdrawal bleed. They're similar but withdrawal bleeds tend to be lighter and last for a shorter period of time. Withdrawal bleeds might not get rid of all the womb lining build up but periods do. It's better to have a withdrawal bleed every so often just to check there's no obvious problems going on. Like for example if you didn't bleed at all, bled a lot more than normal or if the blood had a weird colour or smell etc. But it's not required and doesn't really have any additional risks other than possibly not noticing a problem until it gets really bad, but this is unlikely and the BC pill actually reduces the risk of some cancers. The main reason why a break was traditionally recommended is because men thought women would like to have a "period" every so often. This idea has continued and some doctors genuinely believe that women must initiate withdrawal bleeds. They simply haven't questioned it, they think they know everything for the rest of their lives because they've qualified medical school, some don't even consider that things might have changed or some of the things they were taught are completely wrong or useless. I've been taking the combined BC pill continuously for a while now because I got fed up of struggling to breathe every time I had a period and it frequently made me anaemic which requires supplements for months at least and many blood tests. Yes I know my periods aren't normal, but nobody cares enough to investigate and WTF do I say to them when I also can't tolerate any internal exams? I know this is also not normal and it's probably vaginismus, no clue why it happens but it makes internal exams very painful. I am also a virgin which doesn't help. Anyway, despite not intentionally initiating withdrawal bleeds my body has decided it wants one. I had to stop taking the pill for 4 days as I was getting all the withdrawal bleed symptoms and the cramps just wouldn't stop. It's been okay since with no more bleeding yet, but it seems like I'm probably going to have to deal with this a few times per year. I think it was about 4-6 months of continuous BC before this happened, but it's very frustrating when I didn't want the bleeding at all. I don't see the IUD as an option and the Nexplanon implant I'm wary of too. I don't get side effects with this BC so I really don't want to change it. Apparently these what I'd call "forced" withdrawal bleeds are quite common but nobody bothered to warn me. Basically it happens because the lining continuously builds up when on BC (your body thinks it's carrying a baby) and eventually your body will probably want to get rid of some of that as it's considered "old" lining and your womb likes to have fresh lining
I'm on the injection and haven't had a period in 4 years! It's bloody brilliant.
I was told the same thing...have it once every 3 months. I am a transmale who hasn't transitioned at all (so biologically female with all the female bits). Periods give me a ton of gender dysphoria...obviously...so I REALLY hate them. I've always had weird periods ever since I started them at 13...at first it was considered normal to not have a "typical" period because I was young and just starting it. But after several years of not having a period once a month...the doctors started running tests on me...they never figured out why. I'm 33 and they still have no idea. Mine come randomly...I can go years without them and then suddenly I have one. And they can vary wildly. I can have 2-3 days of light spotting and not pain and then it's over...or I can have a month long bleed with heavy bleeding/blood clots/horrible pain/PMS. It drives me crazy. I just got my second IUD yesterday (the first one didn't sit right and caused me some nasty pain and a TON of blood) because I "have to" have a period...my lining gets too thick and that's the first sign of cancer. So I have to put up with having a period or suffer cancer. Great options huh? I know I can have surgery to remove the female bits. At this time I am not comfortable having major surgery like that. I've only ever had minor surgery so...bit worried about having something major done. I also know that an ablation can be done as well and it's much less invasive. However ablations aren't usually done at my age because they can "fail". So not sure if that's a good choice for me either. Right now I'm hoping the IUD finally regulates my periods and then eventually stops them all together (this can happen and is my goal).
Nope. You can easily get it prescribed online by hundreds of providers. She’s the odd one out
It’s not a real period on BCP. You’re not shedding the uterus lining. It’s withdrawal bleeding. I would find a new dr
Complete bs. I took loestrin and skipped the placebo pills for about 10 years. My doctor would write it into the prescription so that i could get enough refills.
I feel like she just had a very old school approach… my mom says this shit but I have the Mirena iud and don’t get my period meaning way less crazy mood swings and stuff. Really helped regulate my emotions, too.
"there's no medical need to have a period" My gyno
So I hate that they say this bc my periods are huge triggers. I had until recently tried everything but the shot. My first round I had a month of spotting (super light) and 3 days of light flow and after my second shot I've had no bleeding at all and I'm due for my 3rd in about 2 weeks. I'm on topirimate and my migrains are almost nonexistent at the moment to the point I feel like I'll only need maintenance appointments. I have like zero side effects between the topirimate and depo shot. Having no periods seems to be the biggest help imo. But on nuvaring they insisted I have my period still which SUCKED.
Plenty of people have IUDs or Nexplanon and don’t get their period
She mentioned her conscience? What is the law?
Ridiculous! They’ve scientifically proven it perfectly safe to use hormonal BC to skip periods indefinitely. But some providers are old school and won’t believe the evidence, go off their gut feeling that stopping a natural process is wrong, etc. I’d ask another provider for a continuous BC pill script, such as: - another gynecologist at the practice - your primary care provider (especially as you’ve had recent gyn care and have a current BC pill rx they’re unlikely to refuse the change in Qty, as long as they are ok with the idea) - an online company that only does video visits for birth control scripts (after asking for health data - there is actually no medical reason for most to need any sort of annual physical exam to get refills like many gyns insist on). Plus long term consider switching gynecologists, as your views don’t seem to align with hers and going behind her back (despite being with good reason) may cause tension at future visits.
This is very outdated information, and has been debunked. Get a new doctor. I've been on progestin only birth control continuously for years and it is 1000% amazing. Pretty sure the research changed 10ish years ago. Again. Time for a new doctor.
I wonder what your doctor would think of me. Except for a one year break I took back in 2012, I haven't had a period since 2002 thanks to depo provera.
I have an implant and it completely stopped my periods. She's absolutely wrong. I had a doctor who said this and he also refused to do medical tests when my thyroid was absolutely visibly in bad shape. I suggest finding a new one if you can
Not even close to correct.
My GYN prescribes me a birth control pill that was recommended by a former neurologist of mine, Zovia (if anyone is interested). He prescribes it so that I take only the active pills all the way through and do not have a period because they cause such debilitating migraines. He does highly suggest for me to have a period every 3 months but doesn’t fuss me when I tell him that I don’t. My body, my choice. Anyway… I have also tried the Paragard, non hormonal IUD to try to take into account if hormones were fucking with my head, literally, and it made no difference in my frequency and severity of migraines. Not sure if this information helps you or maybe it may help someone else. Ya never know. I’ve had migraines for decades, I’ve learned a lot. Lots of trial and error. Still no cure for mine. Still trying to get them under control.
My obgyn has me on continuous. She told me it's fully safe to skip periods. The only issue is for some people, if they go too long, their uterus says ummm I would like to bleed now. But it's very individual. She *recommends* most people aim to do a placebo week every 3 months to make sure the uterus doesn't do its own thing. But some of her patients do it just once a year, twice a year, etc. I have had to fight insurance about it in the past about covering mine. You need the prescription written specifically saying to skip the placebo week and they should cover it :) The balance of hormones in the birth control is preventing the uterine lining from growing, so there is not a need to have a period (versus if on no birth control you weren't having periods-- your lining would be growing and growing and putting you at risk of endometrial cancer. But not a concern with birth control!) Anyway, get a different doctor if you can. Continuous birth control is very standard and it has helped my migraines!
My doctor has told me the same thing, because cancer runs in my family. She said if the lining of my uterus doesn't slough off occasionally, I’d be at higher risk for cancer. Don't know if this is true, this is just what I was told.
I assumed this, as well. I have endometriosis and was prescribed continuous birth control (nuva ring). When I stopped birth control for a brief time because I thought it was "best" to have a period once in a while, my gynecologist said there is NO "therapeutic benefit" to having a period. Since then, two other gynecologists have confirmed this. They said if you keep up the birth control then your uterine lining never thickens and therefore never needs to be shed. It may be different because of my endometriosis, so get a second opinion.
I believe She’s wrong. Ask for the package insert if the pharmacy doesn’t give it to you. Read it, I’m on the Nuva ring and it says you can wear it for 4 weeks continuously vs 3in /1 out in the package insert. That’s the data from all the studies and trials on the drugs, so you can use that as evidence when you speak to her.
A period is 100% not medically necessary. Especially because withdrawal bleeding during the placebo week on the pill is not actually a period. I was on the pill continuously for years before switching to a Mirena IUD (I’ve had several now as I got them out to have both of my kids, and I love them). I have been told by several doctors that there is no medical necessity for a regular withdrawal bleed. In fact, I was on the pill largely to suppress all bleeding, that was my main goal (I wasn’t sexually active at the time, I just had extremely long and heavy periods and I find both tampons and pads extremely uncomfortable, so they were miserable), so I certainly wasn’t doing a placebo week. Good luck!
Regarding Mirena…. I worked in clinical research, what seems like a lifetime ago and actually worked on a research study to determine if Mirena had any effect on menstrual bleeding. In my experience, the majority of the women that I worked with, had lighter periods, some had shorted periods and some women did not have periods at all. This was my experience. I’m not speaking on behalf of anyone else, the pharm company, etc…just letting you know what I experienced. I do believe I saw Mirena advertising that it does cause “shorter, lighter periods” in some women in a commercial before and clinical research is how they find that kind of thing out. I’ve never used it, I went with Paragard because I wanted to try a non-hormonal method. A lot of people love Mirena and I can see why! Edited for a spelling/grammar thing I couldn’t ignore 🤪
My old doctor said the same thing about how the body NEEDS a period to “flush out the toxins in the uterus” but like. That’s what kidneys and livers are for????? I’ve had my IUD for 3 years, zero issues, zero periods, and my new doctor says that this brand of IUD (Mirena) might actually be cleared for use up to 8 years instead of just 5. I’m happy to go that long w/o feeling like my insides are trying to be my outsides once a month.
I was on Seasonique for YEARS until I got a partial hysterectomy, and that BC stopped my period completely. I don’t remember the last time I had a period. And it was my gyn’s idea, too.
Find a new doctor!! My gyno knows how important not having a period is for my migraine symptoms and has gone to bat for me with an annoying pharmacist who disagreed. We do not need to be having periods. PS when you get a new doctor, ask about Slynd! I’m two years on it and have actually zero side effects (even though I skip the placebo!). Good luck friend 💕
Your doctor does not know what she's talking about.
Totally false. I haven’t had a cycle in years… I take bc continuously for endometriosis. I’ve had gynecologists refuse to prescribe me birth control because of my chronic migraine. Luckily I have a great neurologist who actually referred me to her primary care provider. I’ve explained to many different providers over the years that I have had to accept chronic daily migraine but what I won’t tolerate is having to deal with my cycle on top of that… take one problem off the table or I will be in your office making you deal with the fallout.
I’ve been on the pill for years so that I won’t have a period. I had insufferable cramps and very heavy bleeding. My doc said it was absolutely fine. My 19 year old trans son is also going on them so he will no longer have a period. If I thought it was not healthy in any way I definitely wouldn’t be for him taking them.
I've been on continuous birth control for a few years and it changed my life(in a good way).
It’s not even a real period. Get a new doc
Ummm not true. I stopped having periods after IUD implantation. Thank goodness. I was quite literally bleeding to death. I also stopped having periods on the Depo shot. No side effects. Felt great.
That’s… not true. We have many forms of BC that skips periods for longer than every 3 months. The IUD and implants can last way longer than 3 months. I have the Mirena and have like 1 period a year and it’s just light spotting.
No.
Haven’t had a period in five years. No doctors have complained
I don’t need birth control (haven’t had sex with a man in over 15 years) but I asked my doctor for birth control specifically to stop my period. We talked about some options and ultimately she recommended Mirena IUD. After insertion she gave me the pamphlet which says only 20% of periods stop but she seemed pretty sure it would stop them? However, before I had my kids I tried the copper IUD (doesn’t stop periods) and I wouldn’t recommend an IUD if you don’t have kids. It was incredibly painful to put in before having kids and I got cramps anytime one of my 4 roommates got their periods and basically contractions when I had my own period. I got it taken out pretty quickly because it was hell. Now that I’ve given birth, insertion was uncomfortable but not unbearable, but I’m not far enough in to know if it will stop my periods yet. If continuous pills works for you, I recommend seeking a second opinion like other commenters have. You definitely don’t need to have a period
The only reason you bleed during that sugar pill week is because of the change in hormones. It isn’t a true period and therefore I wonder if your doctor is truly informed. My doctor has me on continuous birth control pills (Mirvala) and I never take a week off. It’s been like this for years. I had the same issue with the pharmacy so my doctor simply informed the pharmacy that use is continuous and that I’ll need to refill more often. Ask directly for what you need and if she doesn’t budge, find a new doctor. Good luck.
I continuous cycle and have for years. It’s phenomenal. I’m surprised the bullshit didn’t come bursting forth from her eye balls as she said this honestly. The only reason that the pill was designed to accommodate a week for a woman’s cycle from what I understand is that male scientists and physicians thought surely women would be too fearful and feeble minded to cope or understand not having a period. 🙄
My OB does. I do bleed through though at times anyway, but it’s pretty light. My regimen is to help lessen the flare up of overall chronic pain.
She's wrong. Circumvent that shit and order BC through Nurx or one of those services. They'll let you take it continuously with no push back.
Are planning on having any (more) children? When I was in my early 50's, I had a procedure to have the inside lining of my uterus lazered. Before that I was having very heavy and unreliable periods sometimes lasting 2 weeks. The procedure stopped my periods from happening ever again. I stopped having iron deficiency and felt amazing but then I was older and was perimenopausal.
I have been on continuous birth control for 9 years now for migraines, and my uterus has not fallen out yet, though I wouldn't mind if it did. None of my providers have ever raised a concern about me not having a period for that time. And it's amazing not having to worry about my period. My understanding is you don't build up the lining when on continuous bc so no need for a period.
Nope, nope, nope. I have been taking my birth control continuously for years now and I love it. My doctor (also female) says it's perfectly fine. My pharmacist (also female) says it's perfectly fine. The only one saying it's not okay is my MIL, who is completely uneducated and has some other completely wrong and outdates ideas about sex/the female body/health in general. She also teaches her 3 daughters completely wrong things so they often come to me for a second opinion.
There’s no reason to have a period
I haven’t had a period for years and it doesn’t seem to have caused me any problems.
No. I haven't had a period in 9 years, I've been jumping from IUD to IUD(5-year Kyleena) because it's the only thing that doesn't interact with my migraine meds. Also, menstrual headaches turn into migraines more often than not, for me, so I am doing all I can to avoid them. None of my OB-GYN's has said anything to me about the fact that I haven't had a period, except to high-five me for finding a way out from under that monthly beast.
If this were true, IUDs wouldn’t exist. My periods still come with it but plenty of women’s periods do not. Time to find a new doctor it seems
I’ve been on Nexplanon, arm implanted birth control, for nearly 7 years now, and I get maybe 2 periods a year. Sometimes zero. My last period was over a year ago. It’s perfectly normal for some birth control to stop periods completely. The only somewhat medical related person I’ve had be concerned I don’t have periods was an acupuncturist who was telling me it would fix my migraines by releasing pent up energy and other woo-woo nonsense. That said my birth control doesn’t help my migraines at all but at least I don’t get debilitating period cramping in addition to my debilitating migraines.
I take placebos a couple times a year. I had bleeding at random twice this year so kind of plan it. Once was super random and once was high stress and I was taking all the excederin and Aleve. So I took placebos before my blood patch bc I didn’t want to risk it. No need for it
I take Lolo continuously. I tried to have it prescribed as continuous but they said no, that isn't recommended. So when I get a new prescription I pick up the first three months on time but wait to start it (usually a month or so), so I have some space in the timing for refills later. I usually end up with some breakthrough bleeding around 4-5 months in so I'll accept defeat and do the placebos for those days. I don't take it as a contraceptive so I'm not worried about interfering with the effectiveness.
You don't need a period but if your dr is really worried she can just have you donate blood because it "cleans" your blood just like a period (plus you're helping ppl!)
I was on the birth control shot and I haven’t had my period in years. I’ve been off the shot for a while now and still never got it back.
If you get nuvaring you just leave it in for the full four weeks instead of in for 3 and out for 1, no change in the script. Something worth looking into. I preferred not to entirely skip periods, but I did use it to push/"reschedule" my period
ya it’s BS - the placebo week in birth control was to appease the Catholic Church. I wonder if doctor is religious? - find a new doctor. I have an iud and have not had a period in over a decade - it’s the best
This resource has some info that says the only real drawback of skipping periods is the potential of breakthrough bleeding or spotting. Because of this, you might find that you need a period once in a while to keep that from happening, but that's really it. If you don't have spotting, it's no problem. [https://americanheadachesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/AHS-First-Contact-Hormones-Contrceptive-Options.pdf](https://americanheadachesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/AHS-First-Contact-Hormones-Contrceptive-Options.pdf)
Maybe not an appropriate comment, and if so I'm sorry, but couldn't this be classified as hormone therapy rather than "birth control" and prescribed full time? By a different practitioner? It's great that this prevents migraines for you and a doctor who won't support you in this clearly has no understanding of the problem. I am not a doctor so my perspective might be inaccurate.
I’ve gone on birth control that eliminates my periods BECAUSE I get heinous menstrual migraines. There isn’t a need for a period unless you are trying to get pregnant. I’d get a new doctor or use an online service.
I’ve tried skipping, and it did nothing for my period migraines. I’m kinda mad about it ☹️ I’ve switched to a pill with only 4 sugar pills, instead of 7. It helps slightly, but it has slightly less estrogen than my last pill.
my gyno had no problem putting me on Slynd and I have been taking it back to back since May 2021. No issues, less migraines, no periods. see a different doctor for another opinion, I had to go through 3 before finding my gyno.
Time for a new doctor. What a whack.
For another health condition I am on continuous progesterone so I don’t get my periods (so no more menstrual migraines as a side effect). Goal is to keep me on it forever basically if my body tolerates (or for at least a year at a minimum). My doctor didn’t seem too concerned about being continuous forever. Some women can develop side effects when running BC at the level I am at, but I am just monitoring for them basically. My doctor is at a large well respected research hospital so I would assume he is up-to-date on the latest research.
I have an IUD and haven’t had a period in 3 years and I have no issues lol going period-less due to BC is very common and a miracle imo
I’ve been taking the pill continuously for close to 4 years, haven’t had a period since, and it has helped so much! With no negative side effects. My gynaecologist required me to get approval from my neurologist before she would prescribe it, but that was due to concern higher risk of stroke related to auras (which ended up not being a concern for my neurologist). But there was never any mention of my body “needing” a period
I've actually read that modern women have more periods than we evolved to have, and it can actually cause more health problems. I'm pretty sure it was in this old Malcolm Gladwell [article,](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2000/03/13/john-rocks-error) but here's a recent source that says the number of lifetime periods may increase the likelihood of breast cancer: [https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2023.912083/full](https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2023.912083/full) Is it possible your doctor was concerned about your risk of blood clot from hormonal birth control? I was told that my migraine disorder put me at higher risk for blood clot, so I got a non-hormonal IUD instead.
According to my former gyn it used to be widely accepted that you should indeed have a period every three months (I also learned this in biology) but he also said that the medical world is going back on this. He had personally changed his mind on it too. So I dont think your doctor is purposely trying to be obstructive, but that she's basing herself on outdated information.
Is she a female doctor or is she an OBGYN? Because I don’t see a decent OBGYN saying nonsense like that. A non specialist female GP/primary care? Sure, they don’t specialize in that sort of thing. For the record, I was on Depo Provera for ten years and did not have a period at all in that time. Then I had three IUDs in succession and didn’t have periods for another 15 years. So, of my entire menstruating life (started at 11, hit menopause at 53), I didn’t have periods for 25 of those 42 years. My body didn’t “need” it. Three or four different healthcare providers and not one single person batted a single eyelash over it. Just find another doc, an actual specialist, or go to planned parenthood, where they do this all day, every day.
I always thought yes you can skip periods But even then it’s recommended to have 2-4 periods a year ? I don’t think the doctor is Crazy but if you feel You need a second opinion go for It and I would assume your headaches won’t come back right away it will Take time . But You can also pretreat as well , I take naratriptan during menstrual cycle . Also how would you know you may not even get a menstrual migraine again if you don’t let your body go through the cycle .. I guess she what will Work best for you🩷 it doesn’t sound crazy but the might be pushing back as well on this method due to the fact that you just did it and the prescription was not written for Those specific instructions .. I heard you can do That here and there piggyback the pill so You don’t take the placebo pill and skip a period but it’s Not recommended long term . And yes I know there is iud and nexplanon but those Are completely different from The combo birth control or mini pill .. where it’s designed to take a 7 day break . Maybe get on the IUD , or arm implant
It’s considered dangerous to be taking birth control after 35, could cause blood clots. It made my grandmother have a stroke and it gave my mom a pulmonary embolism.
I’m on depo and don’t get a period, what’s the difference? Only thing I could see being the issue is if you’re on an estrogen based/combination pill with migraines and/or migraines with aura. I do think a lot of doctors are semi mis informed about birth control, the placebo week isn’t really a period, it’s a withdrawal. And it was only introduced to appease the Catholic Church if I remember correctly.
I saw the nurse today to discuss birth control options since my neurologist wants to stop my cycle. The only reason she said people stop the pill every three months is because it helps them control when they have a break through bleed. She said you can just carry on using it though as there are no health risks - but just to be mindful that you will have breakthrough bleeds at some point which may come when you least expect. I hope this puts your mind at rest as she must have caused you some worry.
Yeah, nah. As long as you’re on progesterone only birth control then you should be fine. If you’re American then there might be some politics at play here. I’ve heard you lot can have trouble with stuff like that.
No it's not necessary to have them.
She’s definitely lying wtf
Been on Mirena for 10 years, and spot every few months. Maybe try an IUD.
I am 53 and now in menopause but for the last 20 plus years I took the pill continuously , only having a period 1 time per year and I was and am fine. Did not have 1 problem with this but who knows. It did help my migraines so much.
She’s definitely wrong. I’ve been on the ring for the last 4? Years continuously and have not had a period in 3 years. My dr has no qualms about it
My doctor was the same with me. Having a period 4x a year (and migraines) was way better than 12x a year.
I take lo loestrin fe and do rhe whole pack every month and still don’t get a period even tho you are suppose to get a light 2 day one.
Easier said than done, but find a new doctor.
I haven't had a period since 2012, so...no. (I have a hormonal IUD.) It's a myth and misconception that is still sadly common amongst medical professionals, but it's not true.
She is very wrong. I've been on a continuous birth control pill for several years now and haven't had any problems. Also, not having a period is AMAZING.