Types of Birth Control Used to Stop Periods

Some types of hormonal or surgical birth control methods carry the added benefit of reducing or eliminating a woman's monthly menstrual periods. Some considerations that you should discuss with your doctor when deciding on a method of birth control or menstruation suppression include the safety of the procedure or medication and what extent of irregular bleeding or spotting you might expect when taking these types of hormonal birth control.

Lybrel

Lybrel is a form of oral contraceptive pill that eliminates monthly periods. For the first six months, Lybrel may cause breakthrough bleeding or spotting at various times. After that, though, women taking Lybrel should not menstruate for as long as they continue taking it. Lybrel works by providing the same amount of hormones every day, as opposed to traditional birth control pills, which give the body a seven-day rest in the form of placebo (sugar) pills or no pills at all. Because there is no break in hormones, withdrawal bleeding will not occur.

Depo-Provera

According to the Center for Young Women's Health, the Depo-Provera injection, or birth control shot, eliminates menstrual periods in many women. The chances of not having a menstrual cycle rise the longer you take the shot. Depo Provera works by suppressing ovulation and thinning the lining of the uterus. Women on this method of birth control receive a shot every 13 weeks to ensure adequate levels of birth control hormones at all times. The birth control shot does not stop monthly periods right away; most women have irregular bleeding for the first six months of being on the medication.

Continuous Cyclical Birth Control

Although typically birth control pills as well as the NuvaRing birth control ring are used for three weeks then stopped for a week to allow for menstruation, it is possible, according to the Feminist Women's Health Center, to take them without ceasing. This will stop your monthly periods as long as you continuously use the hormones. Monophasic birth control pills are taken for 21 days, then re-started immediately, without taking the placebo pills. (This method should not be used with triphasic birth control pills.) A NuvaRing should be taken out after 21 days, then replaced the same day. Irregular spotting and bleeding can continue for four to six months while using these methods. Consult your physician for more information about the safety of using these products continuously.

Hysterectomy

While not typically used solely as a method of birth control, a hysterectomy; or surgery to remove the uterus, and in some instances, the cervix, ovaries and Fallopian tubes; effectively eliminates both menstrual periods and the chance of becoming pregnant. According to WomensHealth.gov, hysterectomies are most often performed to alleviate conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis, uterine prolapse, cancer and persistent pelvic pain.