Bloody Brilliant: What Does My Contraception Do To My Period?
Something that’s really important to us at The Unedit is maintaining and amplifying important conversations in a way that you may not typically find them elsewhere – and that oftentimes coincides with a lack of general awareness. When it comes to periods, a shockingly small number of people received what you would call a sufficient amount of education, which largely is at fault of the education system and the societal stigma around menstruation. With that, we wanted to offer a safe, detailed insight into periods for our readers, so we teamed up with organic tampon company, OHNE, for our latest series: Bloody Brilliant. Each month we’ll be tackling a different aspect within the world of menstruation and with the help of experts, we’ll be taking you far beyond the usual ‘time of the month’ spiel that your awkward school nurse might have given you.
If we were to quiz you right this second and make you name, without the help of Google, each of the contraceptive options available on the NHS in the UK right now, would you be able to do it? Our money says the majority wouldn’t be able to do it. When it comes to choosing the right contraception for you, there’s a lot to consider – ease of use, side effects, comfort, and more. But arguably the most important aspect, effectiveness aside, is the impact that it has on your period. With that, we’ve compiled a list of each of the non-permanent contraceptive methods provided by the NHS and looked at what choosing them means for your period.
Condoms and internal condoms
The most familiar of the contraceptive family, condoms and internal condoms are the options you would’ve first become aware of in sex ed classes. Condoms and internal condoms are 98% and 95% effective respectively, and are the only form of birth control that protects against STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and HIV. They have absolutely no impact on your period whatsoever.
Natural family planning (also known as fertility awareness)
This form of contraception is one we’re seeing more of due to the influx of social media influencers teaming up with companies who offer this kind of birth control. Natural family planning uses statistics such as your daily temperature, cervical mucus, and other fertility signals to allow you to plan or avoid pregnancy. There’s no hormones involved – except for your own, of course – so your period isn’t altered.
Diaphragms (or caps)
Carrie Bradshaw’s contraceptive of choice (SATC fans may recall that episode where she calls Samantha for help in her diaphragm’s retrieval procedure), the diaphragm is between 92 and 96% effective. The diaphragm contains no hormones – it’s just a silicone cup-like contraption – and can be put in and removed whenever you want, so your period remains as normal. You mustn’t however, have your diaphragm in place during your period as there’s a possible link between diaphragm usage and TSS (toxic shock syndrome).
The combined pill
This is what we most commonly refer to as “the pill”. Simply, it’s a combination of two hormones: progesterone and oestrogen, and it’s over 99% effective. There are three types of combined pill, but each involve taking the pill every day for 21 days, and either taking 7 days off, or taking 7 days worth of placebo pills before moving on to your next month’s pack. It’s during your 7 days off that you get your period (which isn’t really a period, but a period-like bleed known as a withdrawal bleed). Using the combined pill helps to lesson symptoms for those suffering with PMS, endometriosis, PCOS, or just heavy or painful periods in general. Your period can become lighter and more regular, which is a massive help for those who live with irregular periods.
The contraceptive implant
More than 99% effective, the contraceptive implant is the first of our longer-term options in our list. Inserted under the skin in your upper arm, it lasts for three years, and is a viable option for those who can’t use oestrogen-based contraception. When it comes to your period though, some changes are likely, which might be something you’d want to consider. Periods can become more irregular, last longer, even get lighter or heavier (depending on how lucky you are!). A common side effect of the implant is amenorrhoea, which is when your periods stop completely. Your GP or health professional will ensure you that it’s not harmful, but it’s definitely something you might want to think about.
The contraceptive injection
Another non-oestrogen option, the injection is also more than 99% effective, and offers an alternative for those who aren’t very good at remembering to take their pill. The most commonly used injection in the UK is Depo-Provera, which last 13 weeks, and Novisterat, which is used occasionally, lasts for 8. The injection releases progestogen into the bloodstream to prevent pregnancy, but might also see some irregularity with your bleeds, as it can intensify, shorten, or lighten them, depending on the individual. Simialr to the implant, in some cases, it’s been known to stop your periods entirely, and can take up to a year for your fertility to return back to normal once you’ve stopped receiving the injection. Some turn to the injection to help with pre-menstrual symptoms, but some common side effects also have the misfortune of mimicking PMS, including mood swings, breast tenderness, and acne to name a few.
The contraceptive patch
The UK’s contraceptive patch of choice is known as Evra, and it’s another option that’s more than 99% effective. The patch includes the same hormones as the combined pill, oestrogen and progestogen, and each patch lasts for a week. Every seven days, you change the patch and after three weeks, you take a week off of the patch, making way for your withdrawal bleed (although a bleed doesn’t always necessarily happen). The patch is often recommended for those with heavier periods and those who experience pain with their bleeds.
IUDs (Intrauterine devices, also known as the coil)
An IUD – better known as the coil – is a non-hormonal longer-term option for contraception (it lasts for five to ten years, depending on the brand), and is still more than 99% effective. The coil releases copper into the womb to prevent pregnancy, and by rights should not impact the regularity of your periods. In the first three to six months, you might experience heavier, longer, or more painful periods; spotting or bleeding between periods isn’t uncommon either. Also because it’s copper, there’s no hormonal side effects. Generally, once your body has settled down and the initial discomfort of the IUD is gone, you shouldn’t find yourself in any trouble.
IUSs (Intrauterine systems, also known as the hormonal coil)
An IUS functions the same as an IUD, except it releases progestogen into the womb rather than copper. It’s equally effective, but lasts for a lesser time (between three to five years, depending on the brand). It’s a recommended option for those who can’t use combined contraception (like the pill), but unlike its non-hormonal counterpart, the IUD, it does have the ability to make your periods irregular. Similar to a lot of hormone-based contraceptives, the IUS can make your periods lighter, shorter, or after the first year of use, stop your periods altogether, which makes it a potential option for those who have heavy or painful periods. Similar to the injection and other hormonal contraception options, side effects can include PMS-like symptoms, including skin problems, breast tenderness and mood swings.
The progesterone-only pill (POP)
Whilst POP is more than 99% effective when used correctly, it’s only 92% effective with “typical use”, which is how most users are known to take it. Unlike the combined pill, there’s no break in between packs, and you take POP every day without fail. It’s a useful option for those who can’t take oestrogen-based contraceptives. For a few months, users might experience tender breasts and spotty skin, but that is said to subside. When taking POP, periods may become lighter or even stop completely, whilst some people experience more irregularity and more frequent bleeds, with a chance of spotting in between periods.
The vaginal ring
One vaginal ring offers one month’s contraception in the form of a soft, plastic ring that releases doses of both oestrogen and progestogen into the bloodstream continuously. Like lots of the aforementioned methods, it’s more than 99% effective, and like other non-pill methods, is still effective after diarrhoea or vomiting. The ring is known to ease pre-menstrual symptoms and make bleeds lighter, whilst alleviating some pain for users. The ring is left in for 21 days and removed for a seven day break, when you’ll have your withdrawal bleed, during which time you’re still protected from pregnancy. It’s completely safe to use tampons even with the ring in place, and spotting or irregular bleeding is normal in the first few months of use. During this time, temporary side effects also include tender breasts, headaches and an increase in vaginal discharge.
So there you have it folks: a low down on all available contraceptive methods, and how they can influence your period. That being said, everyone is different, and may or may not respond in the same way once they’ve started on a new contraception. If you don’t want your period to change, there are certainly methods you should stay away from, and alternatively if you’re looking for help with your period, there are plenty of choices that impact how – or when – you bleed. Our advice is to speak at length with your GP or a trusted health professional, explore your options, don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions, and see what you think is best for you.
