Periods and Birth Control: The Effects on Your Menstrual Flow

What are the direct and indirect effects of our birth control on our periods? When it comes time to choose a contraceptive, it’s important to find out about its potential effects on your period.

Changes in timing, irregularity, pain, missed periods, or different intensities—birth control can cause all sorts of changes and disruptions to your menstrual cycle.

From teens just beginning their sex life to new moms after postpartum recovery, we invite you to take the time to learn about the different contraceptive methods available. Whatever your contraception or period type, you’ll find the ideal period underwear at Louloucup!

Louloucup reviews the most well-known contraceptive methods and their potential impact on your period. However, keep in mind that every woman and every menstrual cycle is unique. The information in this article is general and for informational purposes only. It may vary from one woman to another. If you have any doubts or questions, we recommend consulting a midwife, gynecologist, or doctor.

Progestin-based contraceptive methods

In this specific case, the contraceptive methods involved are based on a single type of hormone, a synthetic progestin. Periods are artificial and are only present to reassure the woman.

The progestin-only or low-dose pill

With the low-dose birth control pill, ovulation can still occur. This type of pill is taken continuously, without any breaks. There are no periods. All the pills contain progesterone, which prevents natural bleeding and discharge. Very light spotting and spotting can happen during your cycle. Typically, light flow period underwear (Mia and Chloé) are perfect for handling these occasional issues.

The implant

This subcutaneous progestin device continuously releases the substance into your body. There's a high risk of amenorrhea with an implant (more than one in five women). Other women experience very irregular periods, which may be light or barely noticeable. Still others notice spotting.

The hormonal IUD

Just like the mini-pill or the implant, we see significant changes in periods with the hormonal IUD. While the copper IUD tends to increase menstrual flow, the opposite is true for the hormonal IUD. Periods become much shorter, lighter, and/or irregular. For some women, they become so light they may disappear altogether.

Injectable contraceptives

With contraceptive injections every 3 months, periods can become very irregular. They may be further apart, delayed, come early, or even disappear altogether—periods get shaken up.

Estrogen-progestin contraceptive methods

Unlike progestin-only contraception, combined estrogen-progestin contraceptives contain two hormones: estrogen and progestin. Depending on the method, periods can be delayed or even skipped.

The combined or low-dose pill

When taking a low-dose pill, ovulation does not occur. There are two ways to take the combined pill:

• 21-day pack followed by 7 days of “periods”
• Or a 28-day pill pack. In this case, you take the pills continuously, without a break. The pack contains 21 active pills and 7 placebo pills. Bleeding occurs during the placebo days, caused by a sudden drop in hormone levels.

The vaginal ring

The ring is placed in the vagina for 3 weeks before being removed during the week of your period. Users of the vaginal ring experience shorter and lighter periods. Like other hormonal contraceptives, the vaginal ring prevents ovulation. This means there are no true periods. The bleeding during the fourth week is due to a drop in estrogen. It’s worth noting that the ring contains the lowest hormone dose compared to the patch or the pill.

The contraceptive patch

A new patch is applied to the skin (abdomen, shoulder, back) each week. During the fourth week, no patch is worn and bleeding occurs. Just like with the ring, these aren't real periods since ovulation doesn't happen. It's called withdrawal bleeding. Some choose to always wear a patch to avoid this bleeding.


Non-hormonal birth control methods

Prefer not to have any synthetic hormones involved in or altering your menstrual cycle? There are so-called non-hormonal contraceptive methods that have proven effective. Without synthetic hormones, your body naturally follows its menstrual cycle. So, your periods will happen as usual—they’re real and present, just like ovulation and the other phases of the cycle: follicular and luteal phases!

Condoms

A classic in contraception, both female and male condoms offer reliable protection to prevent pregnancy as well as STIs. Using condoms has the advantage of not affecting your period. However, you should always use a condom even during your period. The risk of getting pregnant and contracting sexually transmitted infections does not disappear during those few days of bleeding.

The copper IUD or copper coil

The IUD, or copper intrauterine device, is very convenient for those who don’t want hormones or on-demand contraception like condoms. However, the copper IUD generally makes periods a bit longer, heavier, and sometimes more painful than before insertion. In fact, the copper IUD is not recommended for women or young girls who already have a naturally heavy flow. These changes in menstruation are mostly observed in the first six months after insertion. After that, many women notice improvement and almost a return to normal. Others, however, continue to have a very heavy or even hemorrhagic flow.

In this situation, Louloucup’s menstrual panties for very heavy or hemorrhagic flow are perfect. Super absorbent and reliable, these period underwear let you experience your period with peace of mind, even if you have a copper IUD.

Spermicides, cervical cap, and diaphragm

The cervical cap and diaphragm are used along with a spermicide. This type of local contraception, which must be renewed with each new encounter, has no impact on periods. Overuse of chemical spermicides can cause irritation in some women but does not alter periods.

And what about the morning-after pill?

This convenient form of emergency contraception is used in many situations: a torn condom, a detached patch, or even a missed pill. Because it contains a high dose of hormones, this pill can affect your period. By preventing ovulation, the morning-after pill can disrupt your cycle and shift your next period by several days, making it arrive earlier or later. You might also notice some light spotting. Everything should return to normal by your next cycle.

IUD, pill, condom, or patch—there are many options to prevent unplanned pregnancies. Some women feel reassured by getting their period regularly each month, while others prefer not to have it at all. Still others choose the zero-hormone route with a completely natural cycle. Choosing the right birth control, one that fits your lifestyle, your body, and your personality, is fundamental for every woman. We hope we’ve helped you see things more clearly. ❤︎