Progestin, a form of progesterone, is the hormone that stops your period. It thins the uterine lining, preventing menstrual bleeding. This effect is utilized in various methods of menstrual suppression.
How Progestin Works
Progesterone plays a crucial role in the menstrual cycle. By artificially increasing progesterone levels (through methods like birth control pills or other hormonal treatments), the body is tricked into believing it's already in the later stages of the cycle, where the uterine lining is naturally shed. This leads to a suppressed or absent period.
Examples of Progestin Use:
- Birth control pills: Many combined oral contraceptives containing both estrogen and progestin can effectively suppress periods with extended or continuous use. Mayo Clinic - Delaying your period with hormonal birth control
- Hormonal IUDs: These intrauterine devices release progestin, leading to lighter or absent periods in many women. Yale Medicine - What Women Should Know About Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)
- Other hormonal therapies: Various medications containing progestin are used to treat conditions like endometriosis, where suppressing periods can alleviate pain. Brigham and Women's Hospital - Endometriosis Medical Treatment
Other Factors Affecting Menstrual Cycles
While progestin is a key hormone in stopping periods, other factors can also contribute to the cessation of menstruation, including:
- Stress: High levels of stress can disrupt the hormonal balance, potentially leading to a temporary absence of periods. Mayo Clinic - Amenorrhea
- Menopause: As women age, their ovaries produce less estrogen and progesterone, leading to the permanent cessation of periods. Mayo Clinic - Menopause
- Hypothalamic amenorrhea: A dysfunction in the hypothalamus, a part of the brain, can disrupt hormone production, resulting in the absence of periods. Cleveland Clinic - Hypothalamic Amenorrhea
