A menstrual bleed is not a pill bleed

Contrary to public belief, pill bleeds are not menstrual period bleeds. Bleeding that occurs on the pill is called withdrawal bleeding - a result of the drop in hormones during the placebo week that causes the uterine lining to weaken enough to allow bleeding to occur.  

The purpose of the pill is to prevent ovulation, and without ovulation one can’t have a true menstrual bleed.  Hormones on the pill are given in steady amounts to suppress the natural production of estrogen and progesterone that occurs in the cycle.  

Does this matter? Not necessarily, but it can.  Combined hormonal contraception (the pill) is a very effective way to prevent pregnancy and manage certain symptoms, but too often it’s being used to ‘regulate’ hormones, which it is not in fact doing, it is suppressing hormonal pathways.  The type and frequency of bleeding you’re having while on the pill gives us very little information about what is going on.

For some hormonal pictures, it can be an effective treatment to manage symptoms, and its a very effective way to avoid pregnancy, but in other cases, it’s not changing the overall hormonal picture and might actually be masking other important concerns. For many women, a monthly menstrual period is a very valuable and health-promoting thing.  Your body makes its own estrogen and progesterone for many reasons.

Unfortunately, we don’t give women with heavy, irregular, or painful menstrual cycles, or significant premenstrual symptoms, enough alternative options for treatment.  The pill CAN be a great option, but we need to INFORM women of how it works, where it can be helpful, and what benefits a menstrual cycle can have.

Interested in supporting your cycle with alternative methods, let’s chat!