It may be possible for some women to have fewer periods or to avoid periods altogether by using extended-cycle or continuous oral contraceptives, either by taking one of the newer extended-cycle pills or continuous pills, or by always skipping the "placebo" week (the last week) of regular birth control pills. However, for many women, this simply results in irregular bleeding and spotting, which may be even less desirable than a regular (but predictable) monthly period.

 

Keep in mind that the "period" a woman has on birth control pills is not really a period at all. It is simply the effect of temporarily stopping the hormones. A "real" period occurs on an approximately monthly basis due to ovulation and cyclical hormonal changes. There is really no medical need to have a period, whether it be a real one or not.

 

Nonetheless, many women find it unnatural to go without periods. Some women find a monthly period to be very reassuring.