New Birth Control Pill Stops Periods

Lybrel offers women another safe and effective birth control option

Lehigh Valley, Pa. (July 3, 2007) – The Food and Drug Administration recently approved a new birth control pill, Lybrel, which stops monthly periods. It's taken every day, but unlike traditional birth control packets, it contains 28 "active" pills and no placebo pills – eliminating women's monthly periods.

"Lybrel could be a great option for women who have menstrual-related issues, such as migraines, PMS or significant menstrual cramps," says Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network gynecologist Joseph Patruno, M.D. "It makes sense that not having periods could eliminate these cyclical symptoms."

Risks associated with Lybrel include unpredictable spotting or breakthrough bleeding. Lybrel is highly effective at preventing pregnancy, as long as it's taken correctly.

Patruno says not having your period is safe and not a new concept. "For a long time, physicians, at the request of their patients, have altered the use of hormonal birth control with the goal of decreasing bleeding," he says. "And, we've seen a continuous trend toward birth control pills that eliminate menstrual periods." For instance, when taking Seasonale, women get their periods only four times a year (or once a season).

Lybrel, manufactured by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, is expected to be in pharmacies in July. Like other birth control pills, Lybrel is not recommended for women who smoke and are over age 35. It increases women's risk of blood clots, heart attacks and strokes, and does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases. Patruno recommends talking to your doctor about birth control options to determine what’s best for you, along with receiving regular gynecological care.

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