All women normally go through menstrual bleeding every month. However, some women have it harder than others due to struggles like heavy periods. Medically, this phenomenon is called Menorrhagia. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a woman usually bleeds for 4-5 days and loses 2-3 tablespoons of blood. If you lose twice this amount and bleed for more than seven days, you will need treatment to manage such heavy bleeding. 

One of the promising options in such cases is birth control. It can reduce heavy bleeding and minimize other menstrual struggles like pain and cramps. Read ahead to find out what type of birth control for heavy periods is effective and suitable for you. 

Does birth control help heavy periods

Not all types of birth control will give you the desired results when managing heavy bleeding. However, hormonal birth control is a promising treatment for heavy periods, especially if you do not want to get pregnant at present.

It includes options like Intrauterine Devices (IUDs), pills, vaginal rings, shots, and patches. They help in menstrual suppression, relieving symptoms like pain and bleeding. You will start seeing improvement three months after you start taking hormonal birth control. 

Out of all treatment options, oral contraceptives are a first-line treatment for heavy periods. They can reduce menstrual blood flow by up to 69% and improve the bleeding pattern.

Best birth control for heavy periods

There are numerous hormonal birth control options to treat heavy periods. The right choice depends upon your needs, efficacy, and doctor’s suggestions. Some of the best birth control to treat heavy periods in women: 

Minipill

Minipill is also called Progestin-only Pill (POP) as it contains no Estrogen. The hormone Progestin in these pills, inhibits the growth of the endometrium lining and helps promote lighter menstrual flow. 

It is taken every day without a break at the same time for the best results. The females taking minipill may have no period at all. 

Combination pills

These birth control pills contain synthetic Estrogen (controls menstrual bleeding) and Progestin (prevents pregnancy). According to NCBI, combined oral pills cause thinning of the endometrium, which inhibits ovulation and regulates periods.

Their usage over six months can reduce heavy menstrual bleeding in women from 12% to 77%. Moreover, they also improve the hemoglobin levels in women with heavy periods. 

Did you know? :
Oral birth control pills are among women’s most used contraceptives. Approximately 25% of women between 15 and 44 years of age prefer pills as their birth control method of choice.

Hormonal Intrauterine Device (IUD)

These devices are placed inside the uterus under a doctor’s supervision to effectively treat menstrual problems more efficiently than birth control pills. They slowly release Progestin in the uterus and reduce heavy menstrual bleeding. 

A Levonorgestrel 52-mg IUD can reduce menstrual flow by up to 90% over six months of usage. Mirena is a Levonorgestrel- releasing IUD (LNG- IUD), which is FDA-approved to treat heavy periods for five years. It is considered one of the best birth control for teenagers with heavy periods.

Warning:
Hormonal IUDs are an effective contraceptive and treatment option for heavy periods, but they do not offer protection from Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) such as HIV. So, if you had sex with an infected person, immediately contact a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. 

Birth Control Patch

Birth control patch
Woman using birth control patch for heavy periods

Contraceptive patches release hormones that can prevent painful and heavy periods. So, it can relieve cramps and regulate the flow, making periods lighter. They can also prevent iron deficiency or anemia, which can occur due to excessive blood loss. 

Vaginal rings

According to NCBI, the low-dose combined hormonal vaginal rings can manage irregular menstrual flow. These soft rings inserted into your vagina release hormones to prevent pregnancy and make your periods lighter.

Birth control shot

Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate, or a birth control shot, can reduce heavy bleeding. It is a long-acting form of Progestin (synthetic Progesterone). You can consider this option if you do not want to get pregnant for a year. 

When to see a doctor

Sometimes, your heavy periods can be more than just a menstrual irregularity. It can be due to uterine problems or other diseases, such as Endometriosis. Therefore, it is crucial to seek medical diagnosis and treatment promptly.

You can consult your doctor if you get heavy periods regularly and lose more blood than normal periods. Also, keeping a close eye on the duration of your menstrual cycle can help prevent serious complications. 

Conclusion

Hormonal birth control methods are a promising treatment for menstrual irregularity. A doctor can recommend the use of contraceptive pills, such as minipill and combined pills, to manage heavy periods. Furthermore, IUDs, contraceptive patches, shots, and vaginal rings can also relieve heavy menstruation. 

It is vital to keep a track of your menstrual cycle to spot such abnormalities or irregularities. This will help find out the underlying cause of heavy periods and also seek treatment on time, preventing complications. 

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