"No period" BC pill
What is the"normal" menstrual cycle?
Is menstruation essential for health?
Are menstrual cycle symptoms common?
Effects of "no period" pill on cancer
Effects of "no period" pill on the heart and blood vessels
What about the "patch"?
Extended cycles v. continuous use.
When do periods stop?
Examples of BC pills suitable for continuous use.
What is normal ?
Between starting her period "menarche" and stopping, "menopause", a woman will have a period every 28 - 40 days. During this time the lining of the womb will shed. This will show as a discharge varying from a slight staining to a heavier blood and tissue discharge.
Is menstruation essential to health
Some authorities contend that the menstrual cycle is essential to affirm a woman's femininity, that it is natural, and that it should not be interfered with. However the decades of experience with oral contraceptives have not shown any long term medical side effects of absence of periods. Women with endometriosis have had there perids suppressed for years without adverse effects.
Surveys of women who took the pill continuously showed that the majority expressed satisfaction with the continuous regime, and appreciated the absence of ill effects.
Symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle
More than three out of four women have symptoms related to their cycle.
- Period cramps and nausea
- headache
- breast discomfort
- bloating
- headache
- weight gain and fluid retention
- mood changes from severe (PMS) to mild, including tension, anxiety, depression, mood swings.
These symptoms can be severe enough to interfere with life activities such as schooling, work - loss of time - home and family activities, and interpersonal relationships. Many women need to attend their GP because of these complaints.
Effect of "no period" pill on cancer
Studies show that continuous use of the pill
reduces cancer of the ovary and uterus (womb). There may be a slight increase in breast cancer in young women with the gene for breast cancer.
Effect of "no period" pill on the heart and blood vessels.
Studies show that continuous use pills are associated with a
reduction in heart disease and strokes. There is a small increase in blood clots in the legs.
What about "the patch".
The chemicals can be delivered through a skin patch (transdermal). This delivers reliable contraception but does not give as efficient control of bleeding and had more side effects.
Extended cycles v. continuous use.
Some studies compared extended cycles and continuous use. An extended cycle would be taking the pill for 3 or 4 months then taking a week's break. Continuous use means taking the pill for a prolonged period without a break.
There were no advantages to having an occasional period and most women preferred the continuous method as it interfered with their lifestyle the least.
There were fewer failures of contraception with continuous use: more women got pregnant unexpectedly on the extended cycle regime.
When do periods stop?
Periods do not stop with the first month or two with continuous use, but by 10 months most women report amennorrhoea (no periods).
Samples of BC pills used for continuous use.
Alesse, Anya, Marvelon, Min-ovral, Orthocept, Ortho 1/35, Ortho .5/35, Ortho Novum 1/50, Ovral, Yasmin
