CONTINUOUS CONTRACEPTION . There is some evidence that there are benefits for women who take the contraceptive pill . 1) There is a reduced incidence of endometriosis. 2) There may be a reduction in incidence of breast cancer. 3) Menstrual periods are usually lighter and more comfortable. 4) The menstrual cycle is controlled and predictable (Bleeding on weekends may be avoided!)

Women have known that they can miss a period by continuing with the next month's pack of active hormone (and not taking the "sugar" pills). This comes in handy for weddings and honeymoons.

More recently it has been suggested that women MAY NOT NEED TO HAVE PERIODS AT ALL. In the natural setting, women's bodies were designed to be either pregnant or lactating almost continuously from the age of fifteen to menopause. Therefore in the "natural" setting: MONTHLY BLEEDING IS ABNORMAL. It may even be bad for you when you consider all the blood loss and cramps -Not to mention PMS and other hormonal effects.

In fact, the scientists who designed the pill, knew that periods on the pill are not really necessary. While a woman takes the pill, the lining of her womb does not build up in preparation for a pregnancy. So there is nothing really which needs to be shed. The bleed at the end of a pill cycle is a "withdrawal bleed" when the hormone is withdrawn. There is no benefit to health in having a withdrawal bleed. The only reason to bleed at all is to confirm that there is no pregnancy. While this is a major imperative for a teenager, it may be less important for a mature woman.

Thus a perfectly acceptable option is to take the pill continuously and miss the sugar pills altogether. The periods will then cease completely.

If this regime causes any side effects or problems - Then there is a simple remedy: Cease the pill. The most common problem is breakthrough bleeding or spotting. This may settle if you persevere through a few cycles. If not, a change in formulation may be helpful.

It may be prudent to have a withdrawal bleed once or twice yearly, just for a "clean out".