---
title: Does taking birth control to skip your period improve quality of life if you have menstrual problems?
description: Yes. Birth control pills taken continuously to skip periods may improve quality of life and reduce problems caused by monthly periods, such as pain or severe
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-clinical-rationale-for-menses-free-contraception-2007/
---

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- Does taking birth control to skip your period improve quality of life if you have menstrual problems?

Review, 2007

# Does taking birth control to skip your period improve quality of life if you have menstrual problems?

Yes. Birth control pills taken continuously to skip periods may improve quality of life and reduce problems caused by monthly periods, such as pain or severe symptoms.

 Early or limited evidence

Women with menstrual disorders or who want convenience by skipping periods.

## What they did

Reviewed existing evidence about continuous and extended-cycle birth control pills that eliminate or skip the monthly period.

## What they found

Continuous or extended-cycle birth control pills that skip the monthly period represent a viable option for women with menstrual disorders. There is no physiological need for a monthly period in women taking birth control.

## What it means for you

If your periods cause problems, continuous birth control (no period breaks) may help your quality of life. This is a review of evidence, not a new study, so the strength of recommendation depends on the studies reviewed.

28-day

Standard menstrual cycle length in typical birth control pills

## About the study

Original title The clinical rationale for menses-free contraception Authors Lin K, Barnhart K Journal Journal of women's health (2002) Year 2007 Study design Review What was tested Continuous or extended-cycle oral contraceptive regimens that eliminate the monthly period. Read the paper [doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2007.0332](https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2007.0332)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Survey study, 2022

Do female athletes get enough knowledge and support about their period?

Survey study, 2022

Do menstrual cycles and birth control affect female athletes' training and performance?

Case-control study, 1991

How common are premenstrual symptoms in teenage girls, and what factors affect them?

Systematic review, 2025

Does teaching adolescent girls about their menstrual cycle and health help reduce period pain and PMS?

Randomised trial, 2024

Does estetrol/drospirenone birth control improve PMS symptoms?

Systematic review, 2023

How common are menstrual cycle problems and PMS or PMDD in female athletes?

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