Alesse 28 & Irregular Periods: Safety Concerns & What to Do

Question
Dear Dr. Rappaport,
I am a 20 year old female who was placed on Alesse 28 about 4 months ago.For about 3 months I have been somewhat abusive with the pills by skipping the placebo pills every month so I dont get my period. Ive been doing a lot of traveling, so it's been more convienent this way. Is this dangerous? Last month, I experienced break through bleeding for the first time. This is not the first time that I have been on the pill, but it is the first time that I have experienced break through bleeding.  

Answer
It is not dangerous to avoid getting your period every month. The new Seasonale pill only gives you are period every 3 months. From time to time, you will get some breakthrough bleeding that does help to "clean out" the endometrium. In the past, it was thought that if you do not get a period, you may develop adenomatous hyperplasia that can lead to cancer of the endometrium. However, that may not be true.