Side Effects of Using Birth Control Pills to Delay Your Period
Approximately 99 percent of obstetricians and gynecologists believe that suppressing a menstrual period through the use of birth control pills is safe, according to a 2003 Gallop survey conducted by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 1. With their doctor's support and reassurances, more women are considering this option for themselves. However, before implementing this approach, all women should take time to learn about potential side effects.
Breakthrough Bleeding
Bleeding or spotting in between menstrual periods, also referred to breakthrough bleeding, may be more common for women who use birth control pills to delay or suppress their periods. The frequency and amount of this bleeding will vary depending upon the individual woman, but often the flow is light and brownish in color. Although many women find delaying or surpressing their periods convenient, this breakthrough bleeding can be anything but. However, the University of Michigan Health Systems suggests that allowing a menstrual cycle to occur at least once every three to four months may lessen the frequency or intensity of this bleeding 2. It also may lessen as the woman's body adjusts to the hormones, explains the Mayo Clinic. However, any breakthrough bleeding that is particularly intense or bothersome should be reported to a doctor.
- Bleeding or spotting in between menstrual periods, also referred to breakthrough bleeding, may be more common for women who use birth control pills to delay or suppress their periods.
Blood Clots
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There is always an increased risk of developing blood clots while taking oral contraceptives, whether or not the medication is being used to delay menstruation. The Mayo Clinic lists the warning signs of a blood clots as severe abdominal pain, coughing up blood, loss of vision, eye blurring, severe leg pain, shortness of breath or chest pain. Any woman experiencing any of these symptoms while on the birth control pill should contact a doctor immediately.
Oral Contraceptive Side Effects
The side effects that occur with oral contraception are possible regardless of the schedule used, even when a woman uses the pill as a way to delay her menstrual period. The common side effects of birth control pills include:
- breast tenderness
- acne
- bloating
- nausea
- headache
- mood changes
- leg cramps
- weight changes
- dark spots on the face
- explains the Mayo Clinic
Positive Side Effects
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Not all effects that occur when using birth control pills to delay a period are unwelcome. There are many positive side effects that also occur. These include a reduction or elimination of the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome as well as few perimenopausal symptoms. Menstrual migraines, endometriosis and acne can also be reduced. Also, the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals states that there is also an increased feeling of well-being for many women 4.
- Not all effects that occur when using birth control pills to delay a period are unwelcome.
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References
- American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Gallop Survey Press Release
- University of Michigan Health Systems: An End to Periods?
- Mayo Clinic: Delaying Your Period Through Oral Contraceptives
- Association of Reproductive Health Professionals: Understanding Menstrual Supression
- Villavicencio J, Allen RH. Unscheduled bleeding and contraceptive choice: increasing satisfaction and continuation rates. Open Access J Contracept. 2016;7:43-52. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S85565
- Zigler RE, Mcnicholas C. Unscheduled vaginal bleeding with progestin-only contraceptive use. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2017;216(5):443-450. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2016.12.008
- Harvard Health Publishing. Dysfunctional uterine bleeding. March, 2019.
- Center for Young Women's Health. Medical uses of the birth control pill. Updated July 19, 2018,
- PCOS Society (India). Consensus statement on the use of oral contraceptive pills in polycystic ovarian syndrome women in India. J Hum Reprod Sci. 2018;11(2):96-118. doi:10.4103/jhrs.JHRS_72_18
- Weisberg E, Fraser IS. Contraception and endometriosis: challenges, efficacy, and therapeutic importance. Open Access J Contracept. 2015;6:105-5. Published 2015 Jul 27. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S56400
- Kim JJ, Sefton EC. The role of progesterone signaling in the pathogenesis of uterine leiomyoma. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2012;358(2):223-31. doi:10.1016/j.mce.2011.05.044
- Cho MK. Use of combined oral contraceptives in perimenopausal women. Chonnam Med J. 2018;54(3):153-158. doi:10.4068/cmj.2018.54.3.153
- Cleveland Clinic. Birth control: the pill. Reviewed November 4, 2016.
- Dean J, Kramer KJ, Akbary F, et al. Norethindrone is superior to combined oral contraceptive pills in short-term delay of menses and onset of breakthrough bleeding: a randomized trial. BMC Womens Health. 2019;19(1):70. doi:10.1186/s12905-019-0766-6
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Writer Bio
Elizabeth Wolfenden has been a professional freelance writer since 2005 with articles published on a variety of blogs and websites. She specializes in the areas of nutrition, health, psychology, mental health and education. Wolfenden holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a master's degree in counseling from Oakland University.