January 11, 2010
Irregular Menstrual Cycles while on Birth Control
The human physiology is one of the most complex systems and has innumerable facets to it. Of the several parts involved in this system, the human sexual process is difficult to understand and may even change according to the health of the individuals. Birth control is an extremely significant part of human sexual process and is practiced by almost all the couples. The physiology of women undergoes greater changes and these changes have different effects on birth control. It has been observed that irregular menstrual cycles can affect birth control in different ways.
Irregular Periods and Birth Control
According to the medical experts, irregular periods are primarily a result of hormonal changes that take place within the body. Missing periods or frequent periods, very heavy bleeding, clotting or spotting are all forms of irregular periods. Usually, irregular periods imply either missing more that two periods or getting them twice a month very frequently. This is a result of a disturbance in the natural chain of hormonal events that causes menstruation. Irregular periods may be caused due to reasons like lack of nutrition, excessive smoking, drug abuse, caffeine, heavy medications, recent childbirth or abortions. Irregular periods are also associated with birth control and women practicing birth control often experience variations in their menstrual cycles.
The birth control pills often cause a reduction in the menstrual cycle of women and even lead to the complete suppression of their periods. Several oral contraceptives are responsible for eliminating the menstrual cycles completely. The birth control pills are responsible for causing regular monthly bleeding but do not cause ovulation. He bleeding caused due to the birth control pills is just mimicry of actual menstrual cycle. While practicing birth control, women are usually advised to consume hormone pills for 21 days followed by 7 days of non-functional placebo pills in order to resume the normal menstrual cycle. Women also suffer from irregular periods due to hormonal birth control measures like vaginal Nuvaring, the transdermal patch as well as the injections. The transdermal patch leads to a break in bleeding for one week while the injection leads to halting the bleeding for a period of three months.
Thus, there is a strong link between birth control measures and irregular menstrual cycles among women.
Recommended Reading
- Birth Control Pill Questions
- A missed period is one of the most reliable first pregnancy signs symptoms
- Birth control effectiveness
- Depression related to birth control pills
- Acne birth control treatment

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