^ yep, the reason that the sugar pills are included is because from a psychological perspective women feel more secure with a period so when they started making them in the 50's they went with that but there is some of evidence to suggest that with modern contraception and less extended breastfeeding that modern women bleed more than our ancestors ever did and it may not actually be in our best interests. The are some pills available now that come in a packet with no sugar pill phase and quite a few women choose to just skip the sugar pills and avoid periods. when I was on the pill I used to take the sugar pills every 3rd cycle (or 4th if I had something planned on the 3rd) because I hate having my period. Some women get breakthough bleeding if they skip the sugar pills so it doesn't work for everyone.