For many women, menstruation is a painful and terrible event. In addition to immense discomfort from cramps and abdominal pain, monthly bleeding may not be the most comfortable situation. This is why more and more doctors are recommending the use of continuous birth control1. Continuous use birth control is a relief for many women, but not everyone knows how it works in the body or the pros and cons it offers. So let’s unravel the mystery: what benefits does this medication provide for women besides the absence of menstruation, and what risks might it pose with prolonged use?
Most continuous use contraceptives work based on progesterone, while others are based on estrogen and progesterone, such as Cerazette. But they work similarly to other birth control pills and fertility will not be affected by the prolonged use of this type of contraception.
Benefits of Continuous Birth Control
Besides the benefit for some women of not having a period, continuous birth control can also help eliminate or reduce cramps and reduce PMS in 80% of cases2. Women with heavy cycles who are uncomfortable due to the amount of menstrual bleeding can benefit from the use of the continuous pill. It must be prescribed by a doctor, as each case is different and it is necessary to use the pill appropriate for your specific problem or simply because you want to stop menstruating.
Women with heavy cycles who are uncomfortable due to the amount of menstrual bleeding benefit greatly from the use of the continuous pill. It should be prescribed by a doctor, as each case is unique and the pill must be chosen according to your specific condition or just because you want to stop having periods.
The downsides of continuous birth control are recurring issues with this type of medication. Some women experience frequent brown spotting and even bright red bleeding if the dose is not adequate. If the body does not adapt to the method, there could be swelling and weight gain3.
The most common way to use continuous birth control is the pill, but there are other options such as the IUD, contraceptive injection, and implant so that women do not have to menstruate anymore. The three-month injection is a good example; if taken correctly, it can prevent menstruation from occurring and is based on progesterone. The hormonal IUD also efficiently suspends a woman’s period, but the problem is the price—approximately R$600 to R$800 to have it placed in a doctor’s office. The investment in the IUD lasts around 5 years. The implant is also a way to stop menstruation. It can be inserted subcutaneously and costs about R$ 1,200.00 and lasts around 3 years. The most commonly used continuous birth control is synthetic progesterone-based—it is the most accessible of all and costs around R$25.00, but must be prescribed by a gynecologist. The estrogen combined with progesterone option is also a continuous use contraceptive and costs around R$ 40.00.
Always remember that the only person qualified to advise you on birth control use is your gynecologist. Never take a pill on the advice of friends or relatives because each person’s body and system require a different kind of pill and each body reacts differently to continuous birth control. Be very careful when choosing a contraceptive and report any problems during use to your treating physician.
See also: Injectable Birth Control – More Benefits or Disadvantages?
