Health aNd Fitness Guide

Here’s the first no-period contraceptive pill. Unlike other oral contraceptive pills that work on a 21-days-on and seven-days-off cycle, the new pill, ethinyl estradiol/ levonorgestrel (Lybrel E), is for continuous use and comes in a 28-day pack. There may still be some spotting and bleeding, which decreases over time with continuous usage of the drug. However, in the absence of regular periods, it will be difficult for women to know when they are pregnant. Primary studies show that when the pill, approved by the US FDA, is discontinued, menstruation returns to normal.