More, less and equal: how does contraception affect critical days?

The pills usually combine estrogen and progesterone, and their effect depends on the health of the individual. But usually they shorten the duration of critical days and reduce blood loss. That is, the usual 5-7 day cycle can be reduced to 3-4 days. It is a good option for those who suffer from heavy and painful periods.

The pills, which contain only progestins, do not decrease the profusion of the critical days, but decrease their pain (and those which must be taken without interruption generally make the “holidays” disappear). They can be taken during breastfeeding and in case of estrogen intolerance, but it is important not to be more than a few hours late in taking.

The effect depends on its type. A non-hormonal spiral can cause heavier discharge in the first few months and smearing in between. But in general, it does not affect critical days. A hormonal coil with progestin reduces the duration and abundance of menstruation, and can even “suppress” it. The spiral is placed on average for 5 years.

It affects about the same as the hormonal spiral, but the smearing occurs more often (which is why it is sometimes abandoned). It takes three years.

Its effect is similar to tablets, only you need to change it once a month.

This is one of the newer methods of protection – a progestogen drug is injected into the buttock or upper arm every three months. During these periods, after the first injection, there may be smearing and irregular cycling, then the critical days become less abundant and may completely disappear.