A lifestyle revolution for women

A new pill promises a lifestyle revolution for women, by eliminating periods. The oral contraceptive is the first in the world designed to do away with menstruation completely. Wyeth Pharmaceuticals claims it is safe and does not do any permanent damage to a woman's fertility. Normally a woman takes the pill for 21 days and then stops, or takes a dummy or sugar tablet, for seven days. During this time she gets a monthly bleed. The new pill, called, Lybrel is the first designed to be taken 365 days a year without a break. There is no medical reason why women cannot take the existing pill without a break. However, when the oral contraceptive was launched in the 1960s it was thought retaining an element of the monthly cycle would help make it more acceptable to women. Surveys in the 1970s reinforced that belief as women said it made the process feel normal. But since then attitudes have changed, prompting Wyeth to create the first pill designed to be taken continuously. There is actually little chemical change in the new pill although the dose will be varied so it can be taken non-stop. Could this pill mean the end of menstruation as we know it? Some say why medicate away a normal life event? On the other hand for women who don't want to have a period often this is a very good option. Most importantly however it provides women with a choice.