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RSS FeedLybrel (the "no period" birth control pill): Is it safe?
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| Yes | 22% | 38 votes | Total: 175 votes | |
| No | 78% | 137 votes |
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Add to FavoritesWhen the birth control pill was invented, scientists deliberately created an artificial bleed week in the belief that women needed a period psychologically, for reassurance or to feel feminine. However, on hormonal contraception, you not only do not need a period medically, the period you get isn't actually a period at all. Confused? Let's take this step by step!
In a genuine normal menstrual cycle, several hormones, FSH & LH, cause an egg to ripen and be released. If it's fertilized, you have a baby. If not, then you menstruate. Menstruation is triggered by the breakdown of the corpus luteum, a small yellow cyst-like body left behind in your ovaries after the egg is released. The corpus luteum produces progesterone, which would nourish a pregnancy until the egg was firmly attached, if there was a pregnancy. When there is no pregnancy, progesterone drops, and you menstruate.
Now, if you are taking the birth control pill, things are very different. The progesterone and estrogen in the pill tell your body that you are effectively pregnant, preventing an egg to be released. No egg, no pregnancy. When you "get your period" on the pill, what is really happening is that the sudden drop of hormones convince your body it's time to shed the lining. The lining you grow while on the pill is different than a regular lining. It's thinner, and contains less tissue.
You can be on the pill continuously without issues. Your lining will *NOT* continue to grow, because the hormone levels prevent that. I personally was on the pill continuously for years, without an issue.
Lybrel is not new, except in marketing. Women have been using the pill, the patch, and the ring continuously for over 20 years. Some women do it because they don't want their periods. Some do it for medical reasons, such as menstrual migraines, severe PMS, or endometriosis. This has been safe and well-used, just not well publicized.
If you are on the pill / patch / ring and wish to use it continuously, talk to your doctor. All you would do is begin a new pill pack INSTEAD of taking the placebo ("fake") pills.
To sum up the issue- "periods" on the pill are induced bleeds, not real periods. The lining doesn't continue to build up because of the hormones in the pill. Lybrel isn't new, it's the same pill in different packaging. Continuous pill use also isn't new, it just hasn't been marketed before. Continuous pill use is safe, effective, and may be helpful if your periods are troublesome due to medical, psychological, or lifestyle issues. Please consult your doctor before taking the pill continuously.
Learn more about this author, Ophelia.
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No
Lybrel, as the name itself means liberty, but is it?
Every woman think that Period is the most annoying and sometimes the most painful moment in a women life, but that doesn't take away the fact that it's a part of every lady. I don't believe that this pill is safe, specifically for young girls because if you get pregnant, you won't know, as you would be too happy celebrating your no period and if you continue taking the pill, tell me what the chances are for us women to have a normal child without any disabilities. This pills as result may show is not a hundred percent safe at all. For a suggestion lets say the pills works great, it still leave the gateway open to sexually transmitted diseases. Does this not bother anyone taking such a risk just to get a few days relief each month? Some girl for instance might be so in love that they trust their partner, and maybe he doesn't know either that he does have this virus, it is a great hazard for your life as their is no cure for these disease and no hope yet. Many girl or women are mortified when going to the doctor for complete check up and find out that they have this incurable disease, that is the most horrific and devastating news for anyone, the worst and also deadly one would be HIV. I know that it is unfair for women to have their period, being so uncomfortable but at least you will have the peace of mind knowing each month that you are not pregnant and that using a condom is not such a bad thing. But if any girl is still adamant about these dumb pills, please just use a pregnancy test each month, and if you don't like condoms get your partner tested for any kind of disease, that is the only guarantee that you will not be in trouble. For me the natural way is the best if you know how it is done, as I think that pills can cause dysfunction to your hormones. So girl doesn't be a guinea pig, as it doesn't have any insurance. As a mother we must prevents our daughters from making this terrible choice that may ruin their life, so we have an obligation to talk to them to explain the positive and negative effect of this product. Some parents just don't take the time to inform their child as for them sex is taboo, so sometimes just to get rid of the subject they accept that their daughters take the pills without evaluating the risk that forward. If only every mother could do just this little talk, our girls will be much more aware of the risk and be prepared to be protected.
Learn more about this author, Nathalie How Kit.
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