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.
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
Topics
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