Methods for Skipping Menstruation
New birth control products are giving women the option of changing their menstrual cycle from once a month to just a few times a year; and now, eliminating the period altogether. The introduction of the Seasonale® birth control pill a few years ago gave women an opportunity to reduce their menstrual cycle to four times a year.
But now the latest product to receive U.S. Food and Drug approval, Lybrel®, offers a continual contraception estrogen-progestin hormonal pill that does not include the “week off” placebo pills.
To determine if either of these products is right for you, talk to your doctor or gynecologist.
There is also a way women using traditional low-dose birth control pills can safely skip one period. When finished with the current month’s three-week active pills, begin the next cycle of pills in place of the week four placebo pills. While this will allow a woman to skip one period, it is not recommended to use traditional birth control pills as a way to skip all of your periods.
Although skipping a period in this manner is considered safe, it is recommended that you consult your doctor before attempting it.