Should Teens Skip Their Period? What Parents Need to Know About Menstrual Suppression

More and more teens (and parents) are asking: is it safe — or even beneficial — to skip periods altogether? This is one of the most common questions in adolescent health right now, and the answers might surprise you.  In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Suzanne Allen and Dr. Annalise Caron sit down with Dr. Sophia Yen -a board certified pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist- to unpack the growing conversation around menstrual suppression—the medical option to safely reduce or eliminate periods through hormonal contraception. They explore why this approach is often misunderstood, the science behind it, and how it can empower women and teens to make informed decisions about their reproductive and physical health.Dr. Yen discusses the multiple benefits—from reducing menstrual pain and mood swings to supporting mental health, reducing the risk of certain cancers, and overall quality of life—while addressing the myths and cultural stigma that often surround the topic. The conversation also provides parents with clear, evidence-based information you need to have an informed conversation with your daughter and her doctor.  You'll learn: • What menstrual suppression actually is and how it works • Which teens might genuinely benefit from it • The most common myths parents and teens believe (and the truth) • What questions to ask your teen's doctor • How to talk to your daughter about her options without adding pressure  Here are some highlights of the episode:00:00 – The Real Reason Women Have Monthly Periods02:32 – What If Periods Could Be Optional?04:10 – To Bleed or Not to Bleed: Understanding the Risk–Benefit Balance05:03 – The Hidden Health Risks of Monthly Periods07:32 – Menstruation and Anemia: A Common Connection11:04 – Does Birth Control Make It Harder to Get Pregnant Later?14:02 – How Birth Control Pills Can Support Fertility and Hormonal Health15:07 – When Birth Control Pills Aren’t Recommended17:50 – The Unexpected Benefits of Making Periods Optional20:00 – Dr. Yen’s Algorithm for Choosing the Right Birth Control Pill22:53 – Why Estrogen Plays a Key Role in Bone Health26:49 – When to Consider Birth Control as a Health ToolIf you’ve ever wondered whether skipping periods is safe—or how to help your teen navigate menstrual health decisions—this episode offers clear, evidence-based insights that empower both parents and young women to make informed choices.For additional information regarding #PeriodsOptional please watch Dr. Sophia Yen’s TEDX Talk at the link below:Making Periods Optional | Sophia Yen | TEDxBerkeleyYou can also follow Dr. Yen on Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook, Twitter and Youtube or connect with her company Pandia Health (where you can access the birth control algorithm):https://www.pandiahealth.com/about/https://www.instagram.com/pandiahealth/https://www.tiktok.com/@drsophiayenhttps://www.facebook.com/pandiahealth/https://twitter.com/pandiahealth🔔 New episodes every Wednesday-  subscribe for more expert conversations on parenting, health, and raising confident, well-informed teens.🌐 Visit https://www.theparentingpair.com to listen and learn more.DISCLAIMER: The Parenting Pair Podcast is designed for informational and educational purposes only. Do not rely on the information presented in this podcast as as a substitute or replacement for professional -- psychological or medical -- advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerns about you or a family member's well being, please contact a licensed mental health professional or physician.