Doctors are letting women in on a little secret – monthly periods are unnecessary
By Sheila Dwyer, Body1 Staff
Women who are tired of their monthly periods may not have to deal with them anymore. Doctors are researching the continuous use of oral contraceptives that keeps hormone levels constant and eliminates monthly menstruation. Menstruation suppression will allow women to control a condition that most find undesirable and unnecessary.
The new drug, called Seasonale, is developed and marketed by Barr Laboratories. Seasonale uses the same formula containing estrogen and progestin that has been used in popular oral contraceptives for years, but accommodates 91-day cycles rather than the traditional 28. Women take 84 active pills followed by seven placebos, which works out to an even four packs a year.
Some women already know how to suppress their periods. Doctors selectively permit their patients to toss out their inactive pills and continually take their active tablets for special occasions, such as honeymoons and vacations. Doctors do not always feel comfortable allowing women this option, since it’s an off-label practice that has not yet been thoroughly tested.
Some physicians see potential benefits to menstruation suppression and are trying to convert their opponents. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 50 percent to 75 percent of women suffer some physical or emotional discomfort during or right before their periods. As many as 85 percent suffer from PMS and over 50 percent experience painful cramping.
One benefit of the traditionally prescribed birth control pill is its ability to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer by 40 percent and endometrial cancer by 50 percent in women. Women with endometriosis, which is caused and made worse by menstruation, may also benefit from period suppression as well. For others, skipping periods means no PMS, no bloating, and no monthly cramps.
Not everyone is convinced that suppressing menstruation will have any benefits. Opposition arises from common misconceptions regarding menstruation. Today’s menstrual cycles differ from those of women who lived hundreds of years ago. Years ago, the average woman had approximately 160 periods in her lifetime; today’s woman has about 450. Women in industrialized countries begin their periods at a younger age, have fewer children, and experience menopause later than our hunter-gather ancestors. Today, women on the Pill don’t need to have their periods on a monthly basis – there is no ovulation and barely any build-up of the uterine lining that would necessitate it.
Some doctors hesitate about advocating continuous birth control pill use. Though most studies have found it to be safe for most women, some studies suggest that Pill takers have a slightly higher chance of developing venous blood clots, and having a stroke or heart attack. However, many doctors agree that potential risks related to continual use of the Pill are equal to the risks related to traditional use. The dosages that women take today are much lower than what was prescribed years ago.
Once doctors have determined that period suppression is a viable solution for women, it may turn out that, like pregnancy, monthly periods are a choice. Following FDA-approved clinical trials, Seasonale may be on the market by 2003.
References:
www.msnbc.com/news/395750.asp
www.msnbc.com/news/395748.asp
www.webmd.com
