Birth Control for Menstrual Suppression
Yes, birth control can effectively stop menstruation for 6 months through extended or continuous use regimens that eliminate the hormone-free interval. 1
How Hormonal Contraceptives Suppress Menstruation
Hormonal contraceptives work by maintaining consistent hormone levels that prevent the natural LH surge that triggers ovulation. When used in extended or continuous regimens, they can:
- Eliminate the hormone-free interval entirely, maintaining suppression continuously 1
- Reduce or completely eliminate menstrual bleeding 2
- Decrease the total number of bleeding days requiring sanitary product protection compared to conventional regimens 3
Types of Birth Control for Menstrual Suppression
Several hormonal contraceptive options can be used for menstrual suppression:
- Extended-cycle oral contraceptives: Taken for 84 days followed by 7 days of placebo or low-dose estrogen (84/7 regimen) 2
- Continuous-cycle oral contraceptives: Taken continuously without a hormone-free interval 2
- Progestin-only methods: Including implants, injections, and intrauterine systems that can reduce or eliminate menstruation 4
Effectiveness and Safety
- Extended and continuous-cycle oral contraceptives are as effective in preventing pregnancy as traditional oral contraceptives 2
- Pregnancy rates for women using oral contraceptives are 4% to 7% per year with typical use 5
- Long-acting methods like intrauterine devices and implants have failure rates of less than 1% per year 5
Common Side Effects and Considerations
- Breakthrough bleeding: More common with extended and continuous regimens, especially during initial use 2
- Spotting: May occur more frequently than with traditional regimens 2
- Long-term effects: Long-term safety data specific to extended regimens is limited as these products have generally been used for only 1-2 years in clinical trials 2
Benefits Beyond Menstrual Suppression
Hormonal contraceptives can also:
- Decrease menstrual cramping and heavy bleeding 1, 6
- Reduce premenstrual symptoms 1, 6
- Treat endometriosis-associated pain 6
- Decrease bleeding associated with uterine fibroids 6
- Improve acne 6
Important Considerations
- When switching from a suppressed to an unsuppressed cycle, backup contraception is typically needed for 7 days as the natural cycle resumes 1
- Women should be informed that while menstrual suppression is generally safe, the total number of bleeding days is typically reduced but irregular bleeding may initially increase 3
- The majority of women prefer long-cycle regimens to conventional regimens with regular monthly bleeding because of improved quality of life 3
Clinical Recommendation
For women seeking to stop menstruation for 6 months, a continuous or extended-cycle hormonal contraceptive regimen is appropriate. The choice between specific methods should consider the woman's medical history, tolerance for breakthrough bleeding, and preference for administration route (oral, implant, injection, or intrauterine).