Health Questions and Answers: Why do women who are on the pill have a period if they do not ovulate?

Health Question:
Why do women who are on the pill have a period if they do not ovulate?

Question:
I was wondering why women who are on birth control pills still have a period if they do not ovulate? Thank you.

Response:
The pill alters a woman's hormone levels during the three weeks you take the hormone pills. The fourth week of spacer pills is when you get your period. It is not, however, a true period. It is actually "break-through" bleeding caused by the DROP in hormones in your body.

To learn more about women's natural monthly cycles go to www.fwhc.org/health/moon.htm
www.fwhc.org/birth-control/fam.htm

When a woman is taking The Pill then the natural cycle is not happening. Birth control pills work by preventing ovulation, and without ovulation, there is no pregnancy.

See also Society for Menstrual Cycle Research - a nonprofit organization and multidisciplinary group of women pioneers in understanding the centrality of menstrual cycle research to women's health.

back to questions

Disclaimer: FWHC makes health information accessible in the belief that knowledge leads to empowerment, that people make better health decisions when they have as much information as possible.

This website does not offer advice about health or healthcare. The information contained in this website cannot substitute for advice from a healthcare practitioner. Only personal contact with the healthcare practitioner of your choice -- who knows your health history, who can examine you personally, and who can bring expertise and experience to bear on your situation -- can yield advice about your specific health situation.

FWHC makes no express or implied warranties whatsoever with regard to the information, ideas, or merchandise provided through our website. FWHC makes no express or implied warranties about the accuracy, completeness or correctness, timeliness, or usefulness of any opinions, merchandise or information provided through this website. In no event will FWHC be liable to you or anyone else for any decision made or action taken by you or anyone else in reliance upon the information provided through this website (www.fwhc.org).