The continuous birth control pill Anya is getting some rave reviews after a two year Canadian study.
Not only did it prevent pregnancy, but it also allowed women the option of stopping their menstrual cycles.
But not everyone likes the idea
Anya is another in a long list of oral contraceptives, but this one is meant to be taken 365 days of the year and was just examined over a two year period.
Dr. Robert Reid of Queen's University says, " the study demonstrated that the product had an excellent safety profile, comparable to other oral contraceptives presently on the Canadian market. There were very high levels of patient satisfaction with the product and at the end of the two year study the majority of women had achieved complete suppression of menstruation. 80 percent had no more menstrual bleeding at all.
Anya prevented pregnancies.. suppressed the menstrual cycle.. and did away with some of those nasty monthly symptoms.
Dr Reid says, " We really have a need for a combined continuous oral contraceptive in this country. There are many women for whom menstrual cycle cramps or menstrual related symptoms like bad pms or pre menstrual pain are not justconvenience issues, they're lifestyle quality of life issues that interfere with the ability to go to school or work or participate in sports and for these people it now offers physicians a very effective option for treatment.
Anya is expected to be available in Canada by the end of this year. ( 2006 )