No More Periods?

It’s called the curse, the monthly visitor, and old faithful. Why? Eighty percent of all women endure some pain during their menstrual period. But what if they could say goodbye to “that time of the month?” For years gynecologists have known that a woman can eliminate her period by continuously taking the birth control pill. Now more women are doing it for convenience. Is this safe? Here are some of the pros and cons of menstrual suppression.

On the keyboard of life, Susan has eliminated one of nature’s most annoying punctuation marks: the period.

Susan says, “It’s a thing of convenience. Not having a period is very convenient.”

Instead of taking her birth control pill 21 days a month, she takes it every day.

An obstetrician/gynecologist says, “Aside from the occasional spotting that may occur, there really aren’t any major side effects associated with this.”

Some doctors say menstrual suppression can help reduce menstrual pain, migraines and PMS. However, some doctors opposed to using it for convenience. “Nature designed us on a cyclical fashion. If we were meant to have periods four times a year, then that’s the way it would have started out.”

Has Mother Nature been fooled?

Prehistoric women averaged only 160 periods in a lifetime due to frequent pregnancy and nursing. Today’s women have three times as many.

Doctor says, “There can be an increased risk of certain types of cancer associated with what we call ‘excessive ovulation.'”

That means suppressing your period may be more than an issue of convenience.

Doctor says, “We’re perhaps mimicking what in fact was very natural for a very long period of time.”

Susan says as long as she’s healthy, she’ll continue taking the pill.

A new birth control pill called Seasonale® is in clinical trials. Some doctors say prolonged use of the pill can increase the risk of high blood pressure, blood clots and breast cancer. Before considering menstrual suppression, consult your physician.