With New Mindset, New Contraceptives, Menstruation Becomes Optional

TRENTON, NJ—For young women with a world of choices, even that monthly curse, the menstrual period, is optional.

Thanks to birth control pills and other hormonal contraceptives, a growing number of women are taking the path chosen by 22-year-old Stephanie Sardinha. She hasn't had a period since she was 17.

Using the pill or other contraceptives to block periods is becoming more popular, particularly among young women and those entering menopause, doctors say.

…Already the Seasonale birth control pill limits periods to four a year. The first continuous-use birth control pill, Lybrel, likely will soon be on the U.S. market and drug companies are lining up other ways to limit or eliminate the period.

Linda Gordon, a New York University professor specializing in women's history and the history of sexuality says caution is needed because there's not enough data on long-term consequence of using hormones continuously. "People should proceed very cautiously," she says. Today's birth control pills still increase the risk of heart attack, stroke and blood clots.

After Barr Pharmaceuticals launched Seasonale in November 2003… amid wide acceptance by doctors, sales shot up 62% last year, to $110 million.

Publicity for Seasonale made women wonder, if just four periods a year are OK, why have any at all?

Used of Pfizer Inc's Depo-Povera, a progestin-only contraceptive shot lasting three months, usually are period-free after a year or two. There's now a generic version, but the drug can thin bones.

Associated Press 5/21/06