South Dakota Medication Aide Practice Test

Levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol, marketed as Seasonale, is a combined oral contraceptive known for its unique dosing regimen, which allows women to have only four menstrual periods each year. This is achieved by extending the active hormone phase of the pill cycle to 84 days, followed by a 7-day period of inactive pills. This effectively reduces the frequency of menstruation, providing a significant benefit for women who prefer fewer periods for convenience, lifestyle, or health reasons.

While the other options may address common concerns related to contraceptive use, they do not accurately encapsulate the primary feature of Seasonale's design and intended benefit. For instance, while weight fluctuations and libido changes can vary among individuals taking hormonal contraceptives, they are not guaranteed or specifically associated with Seasonale's function in the same way that its unique regimen of fewer periods is. Thus, having only four periods a year stands out as the defining characteristic of this contraceptive method.