| " Taken daily, the pill, called Lybrel, continuously administers slightly lower doses of the same hormones in many standard birth control pills to constantly suppress menstruation. It is designed for women who find their periods too painful, unpleasant or inconvenient and want to be free from the monthly ritual. " " "This will be the first and only oral contraceptive designed to be taken 365 days a year, allowing women to put their periods on hold," said Amy Marren of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, which expects Lybrel to be available by prescription by July. "There are a lot of women who think that's a great option to have." " " Company studies involving more than 2,400 women showed Lybrel as effective at preventing pregnancy as standard birth control pills. It also suppresses menstruation for many women within the first year, although some women experience sporadic bleeding, the FDA said. " " "Every woman's birth control needs are different, and the best methods are those that fit a woman's lifestyle and meet her needs," said Vanessa Cullins, medical director of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. " " Enough study? Critics questioned whether enough research had been done to assure the safety of long-term menstruation
... read the whole article |