Is there any way to have lighter periods other than birth control pills?

Yes , plenty: Nuvaring, depo- Provera can get rid of periods, iud the Mirena (levonorgestrel) can also make them lighter, Lysteda - a med u just take on your periods, and if you do not want, any more kids, I do in office tubals- by essure of adiana- easy , takes 5 minutes, and then I do in office endometrial ablations takes 8 minutes, u miss 1/2 day work, it gets rid of your endometrium so either no more or minimal periods.