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Does Nextstellis Stop Your Period?

Key Takeaways

  • Nextstellis is a combined oral contraceptive that contains the hormones estetrol (an estrogen) and drospirenone (a progestin).
  • This birth control pill can change your menstrual cycle, which may lead to lighter periods, irregular vaginal bleeding, or occasionally a missed menstrual period.
  • Changes in bleeding patterns are common when starting hormonal birth control and often improve after a few months.
  • If your menstrual period stops for more than one cycle while taking Nextstellis, a pregnancy test and consultation with a healthcare provider are recommended.
  • Like other hormonal contraceptives, Nextstellis has possible side effects and rare but serious risks such as blood clots.

What Is Nextstellis?

Nextstellis is a brand-name birth control pill approved by the FDA as a method of hormonal contraception. It is a combined oral contraceptive that contains two active ingredients: drospirenone, a progestin, and estetrol, a type of estrogen.

Unlike many other birth control pills that use ethinyl estradiol as the estrogen component, Nextstellis uses estetrol, a naturally occurring estrogen. The combination of these hormones prevents pregnancy by stopping ovulation, thickening mucus in the cervix, and altering the lining of the uterus so pregnancy is less likely.

Nextstellis comes in a blister pack that contains pink tablets with active hormones and several inactive tablets at the end of the pack. Taking Nextstellis daily as directed helps maintain steady hormone levels that prevent pregnancy. If you miss pills, follow the instructions on the packaging or talk to your healthcare provider. You may need to use a backup birth control method (such as condoms or spermicide).

Can Nextstellis Stop Your Period?

Nextstellis does not permanently stop the menstrual period, but it can significantly change your menstrual cycle. Many people taking Nextstellis notice lighter bleeding or shorter periods.

Hormonal contraceptives like Nextstellis regulate hormone levels that control the menstrual cycle. Because of this, bleeding during the inactive pills is known as withdrawal bleeding rather than a natural menstrual period.

Some people taking Nextstellis may experience:

  • A lighter menstrual period
  • Light bleeding or spotting between cycles
  • Irregular vaginal bleeding
  • Occasionally missed periods

A missed period while taking hormonal birth control does not automatically mean pregnancy. However, if vaginal bleeding stops for more than one cycle, a healthcare professional may recommend taking a pregnancy test.

Why Birth Control Pills Affect the Menstrual Cycle

Combination birth control pills influence the hormones responsible for ovulation and the menstrual cycle.

Drospirenone functions as a progestin that prevents the ovary from releasing an egg. Estetrol acts as the estrogen component that stabilizes the uterine lining.

These hormonal changes can make the uterine lining thinner. When the lining is thinner, there may be less tissue to shed during the menstrual period, which often results in lighter bleeding.

Because hormonal contraception alters natural hormone patterns, changes in bleeding patterns are common during the first few months of taking Nextstellis.

Common Side Effects of Nextstellis

Like other hormonal birth control pills, Nextstellis may cause side effects in some people. Most side effects are mild and improve after the body adjusts to the medication.

Common side effects of Nextstellis include:

  • Breast tenderness
  • Mood changes
  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • Light bleeding or spotting between periods
  • Vaginal bleeding outside the usual menstrual cycle

Some individuals may also notice changes in sex drive or mild weight gain while using hormonal contraception.

Skin changes such as chloasma may occur in people sensitive to estrogen-containing contraceptives.

Serious Side Effects and Health Risks

Although uncommon, Nextstellis can cause serious side effects similar to other estrogen-containing birth control pills. Some of these require immediate medical attention.

These include:

  • Blood clots
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • High blood pressure
  • Liver problems or elevated liver enzymes
  • Gallbladder disease
  • Severe headaches, including migraine headaches
  • Serious allergic reaction
  • Increased potassium levels (hyperkalemia)
  • Increased risk of breast and cervical cancer

Symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, severe headache, or sudden vision changes may indicate a serious complication. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.

The risk of blood clots may be higher in people with certain medical conditions or risk factors, including smoking, hypertension, obesity, or a history of blood vessel disease.

Drug Interactions and Other Safety Considerations

Some medications and supplements can interfere with hormonal birth control or increase side effects.

Examples of potential drug interactions include:

  • A combination of ombitasvir, paritaprevir, ritonavir, and/or dasabuvir, which are used for hepatitis C
  • A protease inhibitor and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (nevirapine, nelfinavir, boceprevir, telaprevir, indinavir, ritonavir, and etravirine), which are used for hepatitis C and HIV
  • Medications that increase potassium levels, like potassium supplements, spironolactone, and amiloride
  • Thyroid medications, such as levothyroxine
  • St. John’s wort supplements
  • Lamotrigine

These medications may reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraception or change hormone levels in the body.

People taking medications for conditions such as kidney disease, adrenal gland disorders, or hypertension should discuss possible interactions with a healthcare provider before starting Nextstellis.

Who Should Avoid Nextstellis?

Nextstellis may not be appropriate for individuals with certain medical conditions.

A healthcare provider may recommend avoiding this birth control pill if someone has:

  • A history of blood clots or thromboembolic disorders
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Breast cancer or other hormone-sensitive cancers
  • Severe liver disease or liver problems
  • High cholesterol
  • Uncontrolled high blood pressure
  • Gallbladder disease
  • Kidney disease or conditions affecting potassium levels
  • Swelling of your skin, especially around your mouth, eyes, and throat (angioedema)

People over 35 years of age who smoke may have an increased risk of cardiovascular complications while taking estrogen-containing birth control pills.

Tips for Taking Nextstellis Correctly

Taking Nextstellis exactly as prescribed helps maintain its effectiveness as a method of birth control.

Helpful tips include:

  • Take the pill at the same time every day
  • Start a new pack immediately after finishing the previous blister pack
  • Use back-up contraception, such as condoms, if pills are missed
  • Store tablets at room temperature

Following these instructions helps maintain stable hormone levels and reduces the risk of unintended pregnancy.

When to Talk to a Healthcare Provider

Changes in menstrual bleeding are common with hormonal contraception, but some symptoms should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Medical advice may be needed if:

  • The menstrual period stops for more than two cycles
  • There is heavy or persistent vaginal bleeding
  • Severe headaches or migraine headaches occur
  • Symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath develop

A healthcare provider can determine whether symptoms are related to the birth control pill or another health condition.

The Bottom Line

Nextstellis can change how your menstrual cycle acts, which may result in lighter periods, spotting, or occasionally a missed menstrual period. These changes occur because hormonal birth control alters the hormone levels that regulate the uterine lining.

For many people, bleeding patterns become more predictable after several months of taking Nextstellis. If periods stop completely or unusual symptoms occur, it is important to speak with a healthcare provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Nextstellis stop your period completely?
Yes, some people may occasionally miss a menstrual period while taking Nextstellis. Hormonal birth control pills can thin the uterine lining, which may lead to very light bleeding or no withdrawal bleeding during inactive pills.

Is spotting normal when starting Nextstellis?
Yes, light bleeding or spotting is common during the first few months of taking Nextstellis. The body often needs time to adjust to hormonal contraception, and bleeding patterns usually stabilize after a few cycles.

Should you take a pregnancy test if you miss a period on Nextstellis?
If you miss a menstrual period while taking Nextstellis correctly, pregnancy is unlikely but still possible. A healthcare provider may recommend a pregnancy test if two periods are missed or if pills were missed.

Does Nextstellis protect against sexually transmitted infections?
No, Nextstellis does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Barrier methods such as condoms are recommended to reduce the risk of STIs.

How long does it take for bleeding patterns to stabilize on Nextstellis?
Many people notice menstrual cycle changes within the first two to three months of taking Nextstellis. During this period of time, irregular vaginal bleeding or lighter periods may occur before cycles become more predictable.

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