PMS Factor

For those of you who don’t mind traditional medications, here is some news for breast pain relief during premenstrual times:

“Toremifene, a drug that blocks the effects of estrogen and is used to treat breast cancer, also relieves premenstrual breast pain and tenderness without causing any major side effects, according to the results of a study published the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

“Dr. Sinikka Oksa, of Satakunta Central Hospital, Pori, Finland, and colleagues conducted a study with 62 women between the ages of 25 and 45 years who had premenstrual breast pain during at least three previous menstrual cycles.

“The subjects were randomly assigned to receive 20 mg toremifene daily or placebo from day 15 of the menstrual cycle until menstruation for three consecutive cycles. Following a cycle in which no drugs were administered, the women were switched to the other treatment for three additional cycles. Fifty-six women completed the study.”

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http://today.reuters.com

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