While using a contraceptive pill as your main method of contraception, there is no medical reason to have a period each month. A study published in a 2007 Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism by Richard Legro, M.D., professor of obstetrics and gynecology, Penn State College of Medicine, noted that taking a continuous contraceptive pill actually helps pain and moodiness when women do have a period. If you're looking for a way to stop having periods altogether, continuous contraception pills may be a good choice for you.
Seasonique
Seasonique is a Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptive pill that allows you to have only four periods per year. This is because a prescription of Seasonique comes with three months worth of continuous pills that are taken back to back without a placebo week. After three months, one week is allowed for you to have a period, after which you begin the next three month course. Seasonique has the same risks as other birth control pills, including heart disease and stroke. The side effects are mild, and include breast tenderness, nausea and headache.
Lybrel
A recent article in the Washington Post noted that prescription contraceptive Lybrel was the first contraceptive that is approved by the FDA to be taken 365 days per year, resulting in an elimination of monthly periods altogether. Especially helpful for women who find periods to be too painful, Lybrel is taken every day without placebos or periods. It poses the same risks as any other contraceptive pill, but has not been tested in the long term, to see if it remains effective year after year.
Regular Pills
Even if you don't want to get a new prescription for a continuous contraceptive pill, you can use your usual monthly pill continuously occasionally. If you have an event or vacation coming up and don't want to have a period, discarding the placebo pills and starting directly on a new pack of pills without a period is fine to do, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, if you are planning on making it a habit, try an drug that is FDA-approved for continuous use.
Considerations
Although continuous contraceptive pills sound like the answer to many women's PMS and period woes, it should be noted that breakthrough bleeding is still likely to occur while on these pills, although Science Daily reported that it was not enough bleeding to affect a woman's quality of life. While on continuous pills, if you have reason to suspect you may be pregnant, stop taking them immediately. You can allow yourself to have a period to be sure, or see your doctor if your pregnancy suspicions are confirmed.
