In this work, a periodic end-coupled leaky-wave antenna is designed based on an asymmetrically loading unit. A simple balancing condition in the equivalent distributed circuit model is developed for the open stopband suppression by introducing a complex effective resonant frequency. The proposed balancing condition naturally satisfies both the frequency-balancing condition and Q-balancing condition in the lumped circuit model. Based on the derived formula, the physical parameters could be quantitatively determined. Subsequently, two typical periodic end-coupled leaky-wave antennas are designed, implemented and verified experimentally. The measured reflection coefficient and the radiation results show that the open stopband at the broadside frequency is successfully suppressed.