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Menstrual Management - Period Solutions That Fit Your Life

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What is Menstrual Management?

Menstrual management, also known as menstrual suppression is the choice to reduce the flow, decrease the frequency of periods, or stop periods altogether.

Is it safe?

When done in collaboration with your healthcare provider, menstrual management is safe for many people and does not affect future fertility.

What to know before you start

What are the benefits?

Having control over if or when you have a period can be convenient. It can also help treat period-related health issues such as:

Menstrual Management Options

Menstrual Management Options
Select an option for more info  Arrow pointing to the right IUD Arm
Implant		 Depo
Injection		 Combined Hormonal
Contraceptive
Methods		 Oral
Progesterone
Contraceptive
(mini) pill		 Oral
Progesterone
Pill		 Tranexamic
Acid		 Anti-
Inflammatories
Reduces Flow Expected effect Expected effect Expected effect Expected effect Expected effect Expected effect Expected effect Expected effect
Reduces Cycle Frequency Effects may vary Effects may vary Effects may vary Effects may vary Effects may vary Effects may vary No effect No effect
Eliminates Flow Effects may vary Effects may vary Effects may vary Effects may vary No effect Effects may vary No effect No effect
Prevents Pregnancy Expected effect Expected effect Expected effect Expected effect Expected effect Effects may vary No effect No effect
Treats Acne No effect No effect No effect Expected effect No effect No effect No effect Expected effect
Treats Endometriosis Expected effect Expected effect Expected effect Expected effect Expected effect Expected effect No effect No effect
Treats unwanted facial hair of PCOS No effect No effect No effect Expected effect No effect No effect No effect No effect
Helps with PMS and PMDD No effect Effects may vary Effects may vary Expected effect No effect No effect No effect No effect
Prevents monthly ovarian cysts No effect Expected effect Expected effect Expected effect No effect No effect No effect No effect
Decreases risk of uterus and ovarian cancer Expected effect Expected effect Expected effect Expected effect Expected effect Expected effect No effect No effect
NOTE: This information is a general guideline and may not be applicable to your specific circumstances. For example, individuals who smoke, experience migraines with aura, or have a history of clotting issues should not use methods containing estrogen. Speak to your provider about your particular situation so they can suggest the safest and best option(s) for you.
 Expected effect  Effect may vary  No effect
Hormonal option

Intrauterine Device (IUD)
(Not copper)
Trade Name(s) Mirena® and Kyleena®

RESULTS

Reduced Flow and Pain:
The IUD is inserted through the vagina into the uterus by a healthcare provider, staying in place for up to 5-8 years.

May Eliminate Flow:
After several months with the IUD in place.
Hormones Progesterone
Ideal user
  • Prefers a “set it and forget it” method. 
  • Prefers hormones in the uterus, not the bloodstream. 
  • Able to tolerate a brief insertion procedure through the vagina.
Hormonal option

Arm Implant
Trade Name(s) Nexplanon®

RESULTS

Reduced Flow and Pain:
The implant is inserted by a healthcare provider on the inner side of the upper arm, staying in place for up to 3 years.

May Eliminate Flow:
After several months with the implant in place.
Hormones Progesterone
Ideal user
  • Prefers a “set it and forget it” method.
  • Will tolerate some occasional spotting. 
  • Will tolerate a brief insertion procedure in the arm.
Hormonal option

Depo Injection
Trade Name(s) DepoProvera®

RESULTS

Reduced Flow and Pain:
The injection into the arm or buttock is performed by a healthcare provider every 3 months.

May Eliminate Flow:
After several regular injections.
Hormones Progesterone
Ideal user
  • Can access an injection from a healthcare provider every 3 months.
  • Can get adequate vitamin D and Calcium intake.
Hormonal option

Combined Hormonal Contraceptive Method - Pill
Trade Name(s)  

RESULTS

Reduced Flow and Pain:
Take the pill at the same time every day.

Reduced Cycle Frequency:
Take only the hormone pills in the pack, then start the next pack without a break. Continue for 12 weeks, then take a break for a week.

May Eliminate Flow:
Take only the hormone pills in the pack daily, without a break between packs.
Hormones Estrogen and Progesterone
Ideal user
  • Can remember to take daily pill.
  • Does not have any health contraindications to using methods containing estrogen (such as smoking, history of clotting, history of stroke, or migraines with auras).  
Hormonal option

Combined Hormonal Contraceptive Method - Patch
Trade Name(s) Evra® Patch

RESULTS

Reduced Flow and Pain:
Apply a new patch each week for 3 weeks, take a break for 1 week (4th week).

Reduced Cycle Frequency:
Change the patch every week without taking a break. Continue for 12 weeks, then take a break for a week. 

May Eliminate Flow:
Change the patch every week without taking a break. 
Hormones Estrogen and Progesterone
Ideal user
  • Can remember to replace, remove, or apply a patch each week. 
  • Does not have any health contraindications to using methods containing estrogen (such as smoking, history of clotting, history of stroke, or migraines with auras).
Hormonal option

Combined Hormonal Contraceptive Method - Ring
Trade Name(s) Nuva® Ring

RESULTS

Reduced Flow and Pain:
Place the flexible ring inside the vagina and leave it for 3 weeks. Remove the ring for one week (4th week).

Reduced Cycle Frequency:
Leave the ring in place for 4 weeks, then replace without taking a break. Continue for 12 weeks, then take a break for a week.

May Eliminate Flow:
Leave the ring in place for 4 weeks, then replace without taking a break. 
Hormones Estrogen and Progesterone
Ideal user
  • Can remember to change a ring every 3 weeks. 
  • Has access to cold storage if room temperature (<25°C) cannot be maintained and/or if storing for longer than 4 months. 
  • Does not have any health contraindications to using methods containing estrogen (such as smoking, history of clotting, history of stroke, or migraines with auras). 
Hormonal option

Oral Progesterone Contraceptive Pill (Mini-Pill)
Trade
Name(s)		 Movisse®, Jencycla®, Slynd®

RESULTS

Reduced Flow and Pain:
Take the pill at the same time every day.
Hormones Progesterone 
Ideal user

Can remember to take a daily pill. 
Hormonal option

Oral Progesterone Pills
Trade Name(s) Norlutate®, Visanne ®

RESULTS

Reduced Flow and Pain:
Take the pill at the same time every day.
Hormones Progesterone 
Ideal user
  • Can remember to take a daily pill.
  • Requires pain relief for daily pelvic pain or endometriosis.
  • Uses alternative method(s) to prevent pregnancy (if applicable).
Non-hormonal option

Tranexamic Acid Pill
Trade Name(s) Cyclokapron®

RESULTS

Reduced Flow:
Take a pill every 8 hours during heavy flow. 
Hormones None
Ideal user
  • Prefers to avoid hormone-based medication. 
  • Prefers to take medication only as needed. 
  • Uses alternative method(s) to prevent pregnancy (if applicable).
Non-hormonal option

Anti-Inflammatory Pill
Trade Name(s) Aleve® (Naproxen), Advil® (Ibuprofen)

RESULTS

Reduced Flow and Pain:
Take pill(s) as directed on the package during pain and heavy flow.
Hormones None
Ideal user
  • Prefers to avoid hormone medication.
  • Prefers to take medication only as needed. 
  • Can take with food. 
  • Uses alternative method(s) to prevent pregnancy (if applicable).

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