Skipping Your Period on the Pill

From the time of its introduction, birth control pills have been one of the most common family planning methods used by women. Though the pill has certain side effects, most women consider it as one of the best ways of preventing unwanted pregnancy. Oral contraceptive pills can prevent pregnancy in three different ways which depends upon the type of pill used. For instance, certain pills halt ovulation, while there are other pills which thicken the cervical mucus, so that the sperms are unable to enter it. Apart from these, there are certain other pills which make the uterine wall unsuitable, thus making it difficult for the fertilized egg to attach itself on it. When a woman decides to start a family, all she has to do is stop taking the pills and she is likely to conceive within a year. However, did you know that skipping your period using pills is possible too? So, if you want to skip your period for some reason, take a look at how you can do this with the help of oral contraceptive pills.

Technique of Skipping Period

The reason for skipping periods would be different for each woman. While some women do this to relieve themselves from the pain and discomfort that they have to endure during their monthly periods, there are also women who decide to skip their period, if they are planning their honeymoon or holidays during that time. Some women may also want to skip their period because of certain health problem or may be because they are taking some kind of treatment. Whatever may be the reason, taking birth control pills can help a woman in skipping her periods for a month or so.

Most women take combination birth control pills for 21 days of their menstrual cycle and then, take a break for seven days during which they have their menstrual period. On the other hand, there are also women who take placebo pills i.e. pills that do not have any hormones for seven days, instead of taking a break. However, there are also women who take 28 days combination birth control pills, to extend their menstrual cycle. Usually, women prefer to take the 21 days pills so that they could get their periods and can be reassured that they are not pregnant. However, if you want to skip your periods for a month or so, you can do so by taking birth control pills. During the month in which you want to skip your periods, you should take the pills for 21 days continuously as usual. However, at the end of 21 days, instead of taking the placebo pills, start taking the next pack of 21 days combination pills which you have saved for the next menstrual cycle. You can continue this process till you want your periods to return.

Is Skipping Periods Safe?

Although skipping periods using pills sounds convenient, it may cause health problems in some women. Some prominent side effects are similar to the side effects that are associated with birth control pills. Sometimes, women may experience nausea, irregular bleeding or spotting, mood changes, weight gain, etc. However, these problems usually persist only till the body becomes adjusted to the pills. Nevertheless, it is said that continuous consumption of birth control pills can increase a woman's risk of having heart attack, blood clot, stroke, etc. Moreover, it is also said that taking birth control pills continuously can cause infertility.

Experts say that skipping periods using pills has certain risks, but still there are people who feel there is nothing wrong in doing so. They are of the opinion that taking the pill is the best and the safest way of skipping one's periods. Also, there are women who take birth control pills continuously to eliminate their periods altogether. It is said to be the best way of freeing oneself from the problems associated with monthly periods like abdominal cramps, mood swings, etc. Women who take this pill regularly have said that it has helped in improving their quality of life.

With this two sided argument, the safety of skipping periods still remains a big question. However, medical evidence shows that taking birth control pills for skipping periods does not cause any major side effects or health problem in women. Nevertheless, if you want to take the pills to stop menstrual bleeding for a long time, consulting your doctor may help in preventing any kind of complications.