A New World of Menstrual Options

For women, a monthly period lasting three to five days is increasingly an option, not a necessity. Taking new drugs or changing the schedule for birth control pills or other contraceptive devices can reduce the frequency or duration of bleeding ‹ or eliminate it for months or years. Here is how three methods compare.

Option 1: Reduce frequency of periods

HOW TO: Take Seasonale or Seasonique; or alter dosage of birth control pills or patch (Ortho Evra), or vaginal ring (NuvaRing)*

PRO: Convenience; most women don¹t experience symptoms such as bloating and cramping during period-free months

CON: No monthly period to reassure you that you¹re not pregnant

NOTES: Short-term safety data are generally reassuring; long term safety not yet established

Option 2: Reduce length of periods

HOW TO: Use specifi c birth control pills such as Loestrin 24 Fe, Minesse, Mircette; or reduce days you take inactive pills in other birth control packs; or reduce the number of days allowed off for your period when using the patch or the vaginal ring*

PRO: Convenience; still get reassurance of a monthly period

CON: May still experience period-related symptoms such as bloating and cramping

NOTES: Short-term safety data are generally reassuring; long-term safety not yet established

Option 3: Eliminate periods

HOW TO: Skip placebo pills for any birth control pill, or skip the week off with the patch or vaginal ring *

PRO: Convenience; avoidance of period-related symptoms such as bloating and cramping. May ease pain tied to conditions such as endometriosis

CON: No reassurance that you¹re not pregnant. No consensus on what works to prevent breakthrough bleeding, though same-dose daily pills are thought to work better than pills whose daily dose of hormones varies during the cycle

NOTES: Short-term safety data are generally reassuring; long-term safety not yet established

*These approaches have not been subjected to longterm study. Consult with your doctor before using any method described.