Refresher on Your Cycle Phases / How To Insert a Menstrual Disc / Why Skipping Periods on Birth Control Is A-OK 👍

Hi friend!

Periods: the bane of so many of our existences. Even as annoying as periods can sometimes be, they’re also really important. Knowing when they’re expected is critical when you’re trying to conceive — and they can be a clue into certain health conditions.

Consider this week’s issue — the last one of 2023 — your abbreviated guide to periods.

Refresher on Periods and the Menstrual Cycle

Every month(ish), the body goes through a sequence of hormonal changes to prepare for a possible pregnancy. This happens regardless of whether or not you want to get pregnant. If you were assigned female at birth, are in your reproductive years, and don’t have any medical reasons for not ovulating or getting periods, the menstrual cycle continues.

Here’s a quick overview of the phases of the menstrual cycle:

• Follicular phase + your period: This phase covers day 1 of your cycle until about day 14 (when ovulation happens in a "textbook" 28-day cycle). Day 1 kicks off with your period. This phase focuses on getting an egg ready for ovulation.
• Ovulation: This phase typically happens around day 14 in a 28-day cycle. Ovulation is when an ovary releases an egg. The released egg travels through the fallopian tube so it’s available for fertilization by sperm.
• Luteal phase: This phase starts after ovulation and continues for another 14 or so days. This phase centers on getting the body ready to support a growing pregnancy. If fertilization doesn’t happen, the uterus sheds its lining. That’s your period.

For a deeper dive, check out our article on the phases of the menstrual cycle.

5 Things Worth Knowing About Periods

• Iron deficiency is common in people with periods. These are the signs.
• Pregnancy isn’t the only reason periods can be late.
• Yes, your periods change as you get older.
• Here's your guide to washing period underwear.
• Learn how to insert and remove menstrual discs.
• Read all of our articles on menstrual health.

Sexual & Reproductive Health in the Wild:

Some people just get it. These are some of our favorite posts in our feeds this week:

Sometimes menstruation sucks

When you love naming things but don’t want kids

Respect sex workers

Don't talk to me until I've had my felt coffee

Trying to use a tampon for the first time 

Mythbuster: Is Skipping Periods on Birth Control Unhealthy?

First things first: Vaginal bleeding while on hormonal birth control is not a true period. A true period is the shedding of the uterine lining after an ovulated egg isn’t fertilized. 

Any vaginal bleeding while taking hormonal birth control is actually what’s called "withdrawal bleeding." It’s the body’s response to the decrease in hormones during weeks without hormonal birth control. 

If you use hormonal birth control, you may take a week off from it each month. This might mean taking a sugar pill or not wearing the birth control patch or ring. These off-weeks aren’t because bleeding is medically necessary for "cleaning out" the uterus or "detoxing." The reason off-weeks exist is because they made it easier to get Catholics on board with birth control by mimicking "natural" menstrual cycles.

There are no health risks associated with taking hormonal birth control continuously (aka skipping the off-weeks altogether). If you want to skip your periods, it’s totally safe to do so.

Bottom line: No, skipping periods with birth control isn’t unhealthy. There is no medical reason for bleeding every month. Skip the off-weeks if you want to!

What Were Reading, Watching, and Listening to This Week:

• This article on weaponizing the law after miscarriages
• This update on non-hormonal male birth control
• This roundup of reproductive health news from 2023
• The latest attempt to limit abortion access
• This op-ed on sex education in prison

Like what you've read so far? Forward Sex Ed, Rescripted to a friend who, too, is en-route to learning more about their body and navigating the semi-overwhelming health and wellness landscape.

With love, The Rescripted Team