With the national college entrance examination and the high school entrance examination approaching, girls should not rely on birth control pills to delay their periods. As the annual exams draw near, various health issues affecting test-takers have once again become a focus. Following the recent heated discussion on Sina Weibo about students collectively receiving intravenous drips to prepare for the exams, discussions have recently emerged online about girls taking birth control pills to avoid menstruation during exams.
If your period coincides with an exam, is it really necessary to take birth control pills to alter your menstrual cycle? What side effects might birth control pills cause? For girls who don't want to artificially interfere with their menstrual cycle with medication, what methods can they use to alleviate menstrual discomfort and minimize the impact of their period on their exams? A reporter interviewed a gynecologist in Guangzhou about these questions.
Risks: Birth control pills may cause dizziness , fatigue, and edema.
Recently, reporters saw several discussions on Sina Weibo about girls taking birth control pills to postpone their periods for the college entrance examination or the high school entrance examination. Some netizens thought that taking birth control pills once in a while would not have much impact on the body; however, some netizens were worried that artificially changing the menstrual cycle with medication might cause harm to the body; some netizens even claimed to have "been there" and said that they took birth control pills for the same reason and experienced great side effects.
Luo Min, deputy chief physician of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Region, stated that for most ordinary girls, taking birth control pills to delay menstruation for exams is "unnecessary." She explained that some girls may experience significant premenstrual syndrome, or heavy menstrual bleeding and severe menstrual cramps, which could indeed affect their exams. These girls could consider taking birth control pills to delay their periods, but it's important to note that as a medication, birth control pills can also cause side effects.
"There are two main types of birth control pills on the market: short-acting birth control pills and emergency birth control pills. Relatively speaking, short-acting birth control pills have fewer side effects, but they can still cause physical discomfort."
Luo Min explained that short-acting birth control pills contain small amounts of estrogen and progesterone, which can alleviate premenstrual syndrome to some extent and can also delay or advance the onset of menstruation in girls. "Some people may experience discomfort such as dizziness, headache, and fatigue after taking them. If such reactions occur, it will be even more detrimental to exams." In addition, some people may experience weight gain, edema, rashes, and pigmentation after long-term use of short-acting birth control pills.
"While the dosage of short-acting oral contraceptives is indeed very small, some people may not tolerate even a small dose of the same medication, while others may not respond even to a larger dose," Luo Min said.
Recommendation: Teenage girls should not take birth control pills for extended periods.
Because the side effects of taking birth control pills can vary from person to person, Luo Min advises test takers that if they must use this method to delay or advance their menstrual period, it's best not to try it at the last minute before the exam. "It's best to try it beforehand to see if you can tolerate it." She stated that short-acting birth control pills usually need to be taken continuously for 21 days without missing a dose. After taking the pills, the number of days in the menstrual period may decrease, and the menstrual flow may also be lighter.
If you only want to delay or advance your period without relieving premenstrual syndrome, you can also take progesterone. "Generally speaking, you can start taking progesterone about 8 days before your period, and your period will come 5 or 6 days after you stop taking it." She said that the progesterone content in progesterone capsules may be slightly higher than that in short-acting birth control pills, but the former does not contain estrogen.
While occasional use of hormones once or twice may not have significant side effects, adolescent girls should avoid long-term use unless medically necessary. Luo Min explained that while women of reproductive age can use short-acting oral contraceptives for contraception, the reproductive endocrine axis of adolescent girls is not fully developed. Repeated use of hormones may alter the body's naturally occurring reproductive endocrine axis, therefore long-term use is not recommended unless absolutely necessary.
Reminder: Never use emergency contraceptive pills indiscriminately.
Compared to short-acting birth control pills with low-dose hormones, emergency contraceptive pills contain high doses of progestin, which may cause greater harm to the body. "Emergency contraceptive pills are intended as a last resort after unprotected sexual intercourse; they should never be taken to alter menstrual cycles."
Luo Min stated that, relatively speaking, emergency contraceptive pills have significant side effects. They may not only affect the menstrual cycle but also cause amenorrhea, and may even disrupt the entire reproductive endocrine system in a woman's body or cause sudden withdrawal bleeding.
In addition, some adult women experience significant premenstrual syndrome symptoms, such as breast tenderness, tension, anxiety, and irritability. Besides taking short-acting birth control pills, appropriate supplementation with B vitamins can also provide some relief. However, it may be difficult to completely alleviate premenstrual syndrome, and excessive intake of B vitamins may cause poisoning.
Tips: Three suggestions for test takers during their period
1. Keep warm: If your period coincides with the exam period, it's best to avoid raw or cold foods, especially cold drinks. If there's air conditioning indoors, don't wear too little clothing. Additionally, you can use external heat packs or patches to warm your abdomen and relieve menstrual cramps.
2. Avoid strenuous exercise: Women should avoid strenuous exercise during their menstrual period. If a physical education exam coincides with your period, it's best to postpone it. During menstruation, a woman's pelvic cavity is heavily congested with blood, and the cervix is open. Strenuous exercise at this time may increase bleeding and could even cause retrograde infection.
3. Relax: Mental state can also affect the menstrual cycle. Some people may experience amenorrhea when they are under work stress or pressure. Therefore, it is recommended that candidates who are menstruating try to relax and approach the exam with a calm mind.
Advice for mothers with daughters:
Luo Min explained that girls usually start menstruating around the age of 12. Some girls are very anxious about menstruation, so when mothers notice their daughters developing breasts, they can talk to them first. "When talking to them, it's best to use a normal attitude. For example, you can tell the girl that this is a wonderful thing, indicating that she has entered the blossoming age."
In addition, mothers can prepare a pack of sanitary napkins for girls who are starting to develop, place it in their room, and tell their children how to handle it when they find out they have their period. They can also tell their children some precautions during their period, such as not exercising too much or eating too cold food.
"It takes time for an ovary to develop from an immature ovary to a puberty ovary, and then to a mature ovary. After the first ovulation, menstruation may be irregular for a period of time, which is normal. Mothers can tell their children not to worry too much."
Friendly reminder : Emergency contraceptive pills have significant side effects. They may not only affect the menstrual cycle, but also cause amenorrhea, and even disrupt the entire reproductive endocrine system in a woman's body, or cause sudden withdrawal bleeding.
