What's new in birth control
There are so many birth control options to consider today. Which one is right for you?
By Rhea Seymour
Seasonale
Approved in Canada in 2007, this pill alters the menstrual cycle so you menstruate once every three months. (A contraceptive pill called Lybrel that eliminated menstruation for one year came out in the U.S. in 2007 but there were some safety concerns, says Maker, and it never got Health Canada approval.) Reducing your frequency of periods probably sounds pretty great, but it is controversial. “Some people get upset that these products mess with the menstrual cycle, which is an integral part of our bodies,” says Biali. For a lot of women, however, such as those with anemia or menstrual migraine, having fewer periods is quite beneficial, says Maker.
What’s involved: With Seasonale, you take active pills continuously for three months (84 days), followed by seven days of inactive pills, during which time you have your period. Then you start the cycle again. Some women already do essentially the same thing with regular birth control pills if they want to skip their period, say for a vacation or honeymoon, says Biali.
How it works: Seasonale contains a combination of estrogen and progestin, which inhibits ovulation and changes cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to penetrate the egg. According to the manufacturer, it is 99 percent effective with perfect use.
Who it’s best for: “If you’re having extremely heavy periods, or have anemia, it may be an option, but you still need to address the cause of those problems,” says Biali.
When to avoid it: If you can’t take hormonal methods of birth control, are a smoker over 35 or have a risk of blood clots or heart disease, you should avoid it. It may not be a doctor’s first choice for younger women, either. “When we start women on the pill, it’s usually on the one with the lowest-dose estrogen since they may be on it for years,” says Maker. “Seasonale is fairly low-dose but not super low-dose.”
What’s involved: With Seasonale, you take active pills continuously for three months (84 days), followed by seven days of inactive pills, during which time you have your period. Then you start the cycle again. Some women already do essentially the same thing with regular birth control pills if they want to skip their period, say for a vacation or honeymoon, says Biali.
How it works: Seasonale contains a combination of estrogen and progestin, which inhibits ovulation and changes cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to penetrate the egg. According to the manufacturer, it is 99 percent effective with perfect use.
Who it’s best for: “If you’re having extremely heavy periods, or have anemia, it may be an option, but you still need to address the cause of those problems,” says Biali.
When to avoid it: If you can’t take hormonal methods of birth control, are a smoker over 35 or have a risk of blood clots or heart disease, you should avoid it. It may not be a doctor’s first choice for younger women, either. “When we start women on the pill, it’s usually on the one with the lowest-dose estrogen since they may be on it for years,” says Maker. “Seasonale is fairly low-dose but not super low-dose.”
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