PMS Factor

Menstruation and Premenstrual Syndrome Relief

No Periods! Sounds like scary PMS advice to me

For young women with a world of choices, even that monthly curse, the menstrual period, is optional.

Thanks to birth control pills and other hormonal contraceptives, a growing number of women are taking the path chosen by 22-year-old Stephanie Sardinha.

She hasn’t had a period since she was 17.

“It’s really one of the best things I’ve ever done,” she says.

A college student and retail worker in Lisbon Falls, Maine, Sardinha uses Nuvaring, a vaginal contraceptive ring. After the hormones run out in three weeks, she replaces the ring right away instead of following instructions to leave the ring out for a week to allow bleeding. She says it has been great for her marriage, preventing monthly crankiness and improving her sex life.

“I would never go back,” said Sardinha, who got the idea from her aunt, a nurse practitioner.

Using the pill or other contraceptives to block periods is becoming more popular, particularly among young women and those entering menopause, doctors say.

“I have a ton of young girls in college who are doing this,” says Dr. Mindy Wiser-Estin, a gynecologist in Little Silver, N.J., who did it herself for years. “There’s no reason you need a period.”

Read the rest of the story at: http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060606/LIFE/606060359/1005

Filed under: PMS Relief, Women's Health, Menstrual Health, Premenstrual News | PMS Chick at 7:29 am on Tuesday, June 13, 2006
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2 Comments »

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Comment by Tricia

July 26, 2006 @ 10:38 pm

Inhibiting your natural period may also inhibit estrogen production. Depo provera definitely does. I’m not sure about other drugs, but I assume if you’re not menstruating, then you’re not producing estrogen. It is crucial to not inhibit estrogen production. Among other things, estrogen is necessary for bone density. I was on Depo Provera for 7 years, and did not have periods during that time. I am 32, have osteopenia, and the bone loss resulted in a herniated disc. There has been an FDA warning on Depo Provera since 2004 about associated bone density loss. The reason is lack of estrogen when inhibiting menstruation for extended periods (> 2 years). (This lack of estrogen is why women develop osteoporosis after menopause.) Not having periods may be great, but it isn’t worth the health consequences! Escaping one’s natural body functions doesn’t come without a price.

I am concerned about Stephanie in the above article, who isn’t following the instructions on the Nuvaring. This article seems to be encouraging misusing the drug. I suggest Stephanie should get a bone density scan to see the effects of 5 years of not menstruating during the most crucial period of building bone mass for women.

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Comment by PMS Chick

July 26, 2006 @ 10:53 pm

Tricia,

Thanks for your comment. While I am not a licensed professional to give advice, common sense is also a guiding light to say… “if you are doing something unnatural to inhibit something natural - then a big red flag should go up.”

While we live a world that is full of disease and we breathe air that is toxic, I believe God designed the systems of our body, and while I may not always be thrilled every 4th week of my life, you have to trust that the Grand Designer knew what He was doing.

I can use my common sense, exercise, nutrition, etc. to lessen the symptoms, but I sure hope that Stephanie doesn’t lead too many others down the path she seems to be taking.

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