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In This Issue » Life & Love » Seasonale: The New Birth Control Pill

Seasonale: The New Birth Control Pill

Only four periods a year

Written by: Farin J. – Posted: Sun Mar 28th, 2004
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We get them once a month. Sometimes they're accompanied by cramps, bloating, and mood swings. They force us to spend up to eight dollars a month on pads and tampons to catch the uterine lining and blood that runs between our legs. Pretty gross, huh?

What if I said that you would only have to experience your period four times a year instead of the usual thirteen? A new prescription birth control pill recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration will grant this wish. The name of this miracle? Seasonale.

What is Seasonale?

Seasonale is a birth control pill that contains the same low-dose hormones, estrogen and progestin, as traditional 28-day birth control pills. The Seasonale Extended-Cycle Tablet Dispenser contains 84 pink active pills and seven white inactive pills, which is enough for a three month cycle.
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im on seasonale right now. its pretty cool having only 4 periods a
year but my cramps seem to have worsened. ive been on the pill for
7 months and ive only had one breakthrough. charisma2000- i
would assume that it would shock your body when you stop taking
it, although if it was me i would slowly decrease the dosage so it
wouldnt be so much of a shock.

And for the whole pregnancy thing, i plan to adopt kids because im
a lesbian and it is physically impossible for me and my fiancee to
have kids.
I understand that you are giving your opinion too, but... you are
also putting down other people in the process... And I know
wherever I make a comment you will find some way to slam it and
try to make me feel horrible. Or just insult me in some way. So I
would like you to stop. *smiles*
The hormones in Seasonale are comparable to what our own bodies
make each and every day. It is not mandatory that our bodies shed
the lining of the uterus each month and it is not harmful by any
means when we do not have monthly menstrual periods. Many women
who are healthy don't have monthly menstrual periods; the hormonal
changes are specific for each and every body and our bodies adjust
amazingly to the hormones in birth control pills. Going off any
type of birth control suddenly is not harmful; it might take the
body 30 days to readjust to hormone levels but it is not harmful
and there should not be any problems associated with stopping
Seasonale or any other birth control method. Just remember, your
chance for pregnancy now exists though!!!!

My mom, who is a nurse practioner, has masters in nursing and has
a good friend who is a gynecologist, wrote that. She just wanted
to help out those who were curious or having doubts about
Seasonale
What happens when you want to get off of these pills? You've
already made your system change and try to adapt, wouldn't it be a
shock to your body to stop taking it and go back to normal? Anyone
know how this is done? Is it a gradual thing?
Even though this seems like a dream come true to mostly every
woman on the planet, I'm not sure I would try this. I myself have
extremely painful periods each month, and I take Ortho Tri-Cyclen
Lo for it. It's helped a little bit, but I don't think I would
risk being on estrogen and progestin for 84 days. That seems like
there are so many risks involved. As much as women hate it, we all
need periods to clean out our systems.

I would love to try something like this, but I know I never will.
It may work for some, and it may not. It does sounds like a dream
come true! I just don't want to be one of the women it doesn't
work for and end up seriously messing up my system. I guess I'll
stick to the regular forms of the pill. It has helped a little
with the cramping. I only cramp the first two days instead of four
or five. If anyone is considering this, just make sure you have a
thorough examination and talk about all the pros, cons, and
possible side effects with your doctor. And talk with others to
make sure you really want to do this and that it is right for your
body's system. Do some extra research as well to get all the
information.

By the way, that article was greatly researched and well done.
Good job to the editor:)
to angel_wings22's comment, i dont think u want to deal with what
we have to, i either get kicked or am tried to kick in my
testicles about 15 times in a couple days, and we have to worry
about being erect in the middle of class or something, my gf makes
fun of me all the time cus she always gets me that way in one of
the classes we have together and im startin to think that by now
shes startin to do it either to laugh at me or to see it and im
not sure about the latter. i know i used some scientific terms for
stuff but i havent posted much talkin about this kinda thing and
im not sure how strict kiwibox is about language on these things,
lol
i asked a few girls i know about this and they jumped at the idea
but it worries me a little bit, it seems almost too good to be
true for women and things that are too good to be true never seem
to wrk out well. i wouldnt like it for my gf to use this, im
worried that it could hurt her in some way, i dunno, that is her
desicion but id rather she didnt. another thing i noticed was i
know that its a birth control pill but what if half way through
the year and uve been taking it for a while what if u change ur
mind and want to have a baby or sumthin how would ur body react if
u just stopped taking it?
What do you have against me? I having nothing against you.
And please, PrincessQT is the nursing student, not you, so I think
she knows what she is talking about.
As for the cancer thing, true, God gave it to us. Doesn't mean he
doesnt love us. *smiles*
So please, I would appretiate it if you did not try to out-smart
anyone. They are giving their opinions.
I am so very sorry if I sound like an idiot and I am sorry that
you do not like me, for I wanted to be everyones friend on here.
Well, I must go now.
Good bye.

~Snow~

If they do more studies on this and find it's 100% safe to use, I
am SO there!
I completely and whole heartedly agree with you Angel_wings22. I'd
just like to see a guy deal with the whole "period" thing for one
week. Bloating, cramps, the whole deal! They woulnd't last one
day. *lol* *sigh* Dreams do come true though.... :)

I think I have that Endometriosis thing...I am literally knocked
out of life for a week. I'm locked in my room, and I don't leave
until day 6 or 7. It's sad, but oh well. It's my own fault because
I know the pill helps with regularity and pain, but I haven't
found the courage yet to take a trip to the Gyno. *sigh* I WILL do
it before school starts though. So, May or June.
*AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!*

*jenn

PS. GREAT article by the way! Rock on!
Oooo Lord would it be great to put this monthly burden upon men.
They wouldn't complain ever again. I'd rather deal with that so
called "jock itch'" that they get...rather than popping 900 mg
(not an exaggeration..I kid you not) of Ibuprofren with little
relief.
this would be great for someone who has horrible period cramps
etc.. but otherwise it's way too unnatural and i have talked my
friend out of it already.
go ahead all you people that have such bad pre-period symptoms...
but everyone can just put up with it!!
"Ophelia_dear: Why would you start putting someone down because of
her belief in God? That's ignorant"

I wasn't putting down someone for her belief in God, I was putting
her down because she's dumb. I know her. Her religious "point"
also held no logic. I'd say it was pretty ignorant of you to
defend her without knowing our past. Her faith had nothing to do
with it.

Seasonale/continuous birth control doesn't just prevent the
uterine lining from shedding; it prevents it from building up.
There isn't anything to shed. That's why it's easier on the body
that the constant building and shedding of a lining. Have you
looked into the studies done on its prevention of ovarian cancer?

"Also, while pregnant and taking birth control-There could be side
effects on the fetus. "

Can you list some of those, and a source? Not being a smartass,
I'd just always been read and been told by my doctor that birth
control wouldn't hurt the fetus. I asked when I first went on
birth control, and looked it up because I didn't want to take any
big chances.
Also, while pregnant and taking birth control-There could be side
effects on the fetus. All anomolies occur in the first trimester,
which is the first 3 months of a pregnancy. Although BCP's are
natural and your body is making those hormones, too much of them
could cause things to happen such as deformities of limbs and even
brain damage. It depends on when and how long BCP's are taken
during pregnancy.
Okay, this is in response to everyone talking about how you don't
need to have your period because it does more harm then good-I'm a
nursing student at the University of Pittsburgh and I have studied
the menstrual cycle, and it is good for the body to shed its
uterine lining. It's a cleansing process, although, it has been
proven that it does not need to shed its lining every month.

Ophelia_dear: Why would you start putting someone down because of
her belief in God? That's ignorant

As far as Seasonale goes: I wouldn't personally recommend it until
there are more studies done.
How would you know you were pregenant?When you don't get your
period when your suppose to during those 3 months and you start to
get a little fat.I think I'll just stick to the 28-day birth
control.
if it works than im down for it caue periods just suck
jocelyn says HOOORAY
...let it be known that I've encountered Never_Winter before, and
I give assurance that she's one of the duller crayons in the box.

God gave us cancer, too.
sorry, hit enter twice ^^ *peace*


~Snow~
Thats not right.
God made us have periods for a reason, we shouldn't try to change
it ^_~
Thats not right.
God made us have periods for a reason, we shouldn't try to change
it ^_~
I've been taking Seasonale for about 3 months now and it works
really well. The headaches, cramps, and other period symptoms are
almost nonexistent. And about the price...how much is it really?
My insurance covers it all so I was just wondering. Also for those
who are thinking about taking other birth control for longer than
you're supposed to (like on period days) so you won't have your
period, I wouldn't recommend it; I tried that and I had my period
for almost a month because it screwed everything up. Just letting
ya know.
other birth control pills can be used in the same way. my aunt
took another kind for the purpose of decreasing the number of
periods in a year and also to help regulate them. also, they can
be used for other conditions. my mom is on birth control pills,
even though it is impossible for my parents to have any more kids,
because she suffers from pre-menapause and her taking birth
control pills decreases her symptoms.
People, you "mess with nature" when you take antibiotics or
Tylenol. This just seems scary because you haven't heard much
about it. Monthly periods aren't necessary. They do more harm than
good.
its seems a bit.....not intact with nature. i wudn't mess around
with shit liek that n screw up ur body cuz who knows? maybe 20
years down the road they'll discover a serious risk that can
happen when using the drug but for th ppl who started it now, it
might be too late for them to stop in the fture..if tha tmakes
sense...
ACtually, alot of women take the pill because of medical
disorders. It's not just a form of preventing pregnancy. It can
also regulate a women's cycle, decrease severe cramps, help with
pain in the lower abdomen and back during the whole month, and
many more things. And still most insurances will refuse to pay
for any of it. I understand erectile disfunction is a medical
disorder, but what comes about from it? Something to increase
their sex lives, wouldn't being on birth control increase a
couple's sex life too?
"Because they will cover viagra and what not but i guess birth
control is too much to cover."

yea, because erectile dysfunction is a physical disorder.

choosing to go on birth control is a personal choice, not
something youre taking because theres anything wrong with you.
You can achieve this with any birth control pill by skipping the
sugar pill.

Still for me it seems risky, thats messing with nature a bit much.
"it can camaflouge any changes on your health because of the
constant cycle it keeps you on."

Like what?

"This has to be a hoax, it's too good to be true. "

Do you know what hoax means? This is most definitely true. Lots of
women, including myself, have been using continuous birth control
for years.
i duno about this one .. i think that it would be cool in the way
that u wouldn'thave to worry about it everymonth but there has to
be sumthing .. liike a catch or something i'm not sure
wouldn't there be any side effect later on when you stop taking
them. for me i stick to the regular ones.
This has to be a hoax, it's too good to be true. How much would
that rock to only get your period 4 times a year? No more PMS!
personally i will not use birth control. It messes with your
hormones, and although they are what are already in the both, it
can camaflouge any changes on your health because of the constant
cycle it keeps you on. Not good.
"Because they will cover viagra and what not but i guess birth
control is too much to cover. "

I know, and it's retarded. You know it's a man's world when
insurance won't cover birth control (which some women need for
reasons not even related to sex), but insurance will cover meds
for men who can't get it up. They'll make sure men can put the
plug in, but don't offer the women any help in preventing
consequences from all those erections. Blargh.
Yea I work at a pharmacy and I just learned about this pill today
at work. Where I work these pills are about 100 dollars which is
very reasonable. But just to let everyone know alot of insurance
companies do not cover birth control, which is very dumb. Because
they will cover viagra and what not but i guess birth control is
too much to cover. And as for side effects, the pharmacist said
its not until others just simple stuff which goes away after you
take it a while. Overall this sounds good to me, only 4 periods a
year sounds peachy.
mm.. that sounds so great.. i've been on the pill & currently on
the patch..... and man.. i tell ya.. gotta doc appt comin up and
im ask about it
I agree with Ophelia. If birth control hurt you, doctors wouldn't
give it to people so easily. Insurance companies usually cover
most if not the full cost of birth control as well.
"and you would continue taking the pill for that long and could
hurt the baby."

It can't hurt the baby. Birth control pills aren't like Vicodin or
Xanax; they're natural hormones your body already produces when
you're pregnant.

"Anyways I don't like messing with pills to control something that
is natural."

Think of it this way: when we were created/evolved to our present
states, women had a baby every or every other year, starting very
young. Infant mortality rates have been extremely high just up
until the last century. Since the mortality rates have gone down
thanks to vaccinations and technology, and since women don't need
to try to reproduce every year, most women only have a few
children in their lifetimes. A huge change from giving birth a
dozen times to ensure you'll have a few living children. A monthly
period i simply not necessary anymore. In fact, /not/ having a
period every month is better for you. Think of all the strain your
body goe through when you menstruate. It's unneccesary, and
there's a healthier option.

As far as the price, many Planned Parenthood and health
departments offer birth control on an income-based price. If you
have no income, you pay nothing. They won't charge you more than
you can afford.

"I mean there has to have been a reason no ones done this
before,"

We've been doing it for a long time with regualar birth control.
My doctor told me about it a few years ago after I read about it
in Cosmo. This is just one of the first ways that it's been
marketed specifically for this purpose.

"There is a reason we have a period,"

Not if you understand anatomy. Periods are pointless if you're not
going to be reproducing for several more years. It's just wear and
tear on your body that you don't need. Taking bc like this can
actually lower health risks like ovarian cancer.


More info on this at these sites:
http://www.koin.com/webhealth/2003/20030212_birthcontrol.shtml

http://www.crankyeditor.com/Portfolio/Sex/No%20More%20Periods!%20C
ontinuous%20Birth%20Control%20Therapy.htm

http://my.webmd.com/content/Article/62/71562.htm?pagenumber=2
LOL it was my bf who told me about this pill. I would like it...
but the prise hmmm... plus i feel so good on the pill im taking
now, itīs yasmine and there are no side effect on me from that
pill. But i heard that if you were taking the pill then it would
be okay to take all the cards in a row- all the time! Thats, never
have periods.... i heard that on TV but i think iīll ask my doctor
first.
The problem with this is if you get pregnant while on the pill, it
could be months before you figure it out, and you would continue
taking the pill for that long and could hurt the baby.
I don't even know why I even read the article.It's not like I
would need the product.I haven't had my first period yet even
though I am almost seventeen.Isn't the average age for a girl to
start her period like 12?Maybe I'm a few years off.lol.Also I
don't need birth-control because I don't plan on having sex until
I'm married.Very interesting and informative article though.
This sounds good until you see the price.. ouch its not worth
it...... but having only 4 periods a year seems cool but then
again PRICE is a big one.
I'm irregular so it's sometimes 4-6 months between my period. It's
a lot more painful then it is when you get it every month I've
noticed. Anyways I don't like messing with pills to control
something that is natural. In fact the less meds the better.
I personally don't like messing with my body's chemistry. There is
a reason we have a period, and it probably isn't a good thing to
go screwing with this. I think I'll stick with having my period.
It really isn't all that bad.. just a bit of a nuisance, and if
those pills prove to cause cancer or infertility or something,
well, it's just not worth it to me.
And I quote... "Receiving nine more weeks or estrogen and
progestin every year than with the 28-day birth control pill may
increase the chance of serious health risks, but there have not
been enough studies conducted to prove this."

Although I think this would be amazing, I mean no periods how
awesome is that, but until more studies have been done I wouldnt
risk it. I mean there has to have been a reason no ones done this
before, birth control pills have been around for over 30 years,
someone would have thought about this before... anyway I'd rather
have 12-13 periods a year than have a stroke... so unless its
proved harmless I'm sticking to my good old tri-cyclen
What I've heard is with the other birth-control pills, you can
skip the placebo week if you want to skip the period. All this
does is package it with the intention of skipping many of them. It
isn't really new medicine in any way.