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August 03 2007
Is Menstruation Necessary?

Lybrel, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals’ new birth control pill that eliminates women’s periods, is now on the market. Unlike traditional oral contraceptives, which include a week of placebo pills at the end of the cycle to bring on menstruation, Lybrel has no placebos, and women on the pill do not menstruate.

While many women are wary of Lybrel, fearing that it takes away a key sign of health, fertility, and womanhood among females, others welcome the convenience and freedom from menstruation’s side effects that the drug offers.

Doctors are also divided on the issue. Some maintain that Lybrel is safe, and point out that traditional birth control pills have been prescribed without the placebos to halt menstruation in women with painful periods, or who wanted to avoid menstruation during a special occasion, for years.

Further, they say women must traditionally menstruate to shed the thick lining of the uterus that builds up during the cycle. Women on oral contraceptives only build a thin lining and, therefore, they may not need to menstruate.

Women are also designed to stop menstruating during pregnancy and nursing, however in today’s culture, with increasing numbers of women forgoing motherhood for other pursuits, they often continue menstruating monthly.

This may be “too many periods,” according to one doctor.

However, other experts point to potential risks of long-term use, as Lybrel was only studied for one year. There are also social implications. Eliminating menstruation, according to many sociologists and anthropologists, tells young women that there’s something wrong or shameful about the natural menstrual cycle, and therefore with the female body.

Houston Chronicle July 31, 2007

 



Dr. MercolaDr. Mercola's Comments:
Nearly two-thirds of women surveyed by Wyeth reportedly said they’d be interested in giving up their monthly periods. As a result, analysts have predicted that Lybrel stands to bring in $250 million a year for Wyeth.

Women are likely being influenced by the many doctors purporting that Lybrel is safe and healthy. And it very well may not cause any major problems for women who take it for a few months or even a few years.

But there’s something major here that can’t be denied. No one knows what influence eliminating menstruation will have on women in the long run. Lybrel has only been tested for ONE year, yet some women may opt to give up their periods for decades.

Let's get things straight. Women were designed to have periods and, while that can easily be manipulated with artificial or even natural hormones, if a woman chooses to do this regularly, there is a high likelihood that it will contribute to some type of physiological imbalance that will ultimately cause her more harm than good.  I realize that women regularly go through periods without menstrual cycles when they are pregnant, but this is virtually impossible to precisely replicate and any attempts to do will likely result in inevitable future harm.

There is at least one known risk of this: long-term suppression of periods will minimize blood loss and could contribute to iron overload syndromes that are so pervasive in men. Elevated iron stores are one of the primary risk factors for cancer and heart disease. Other studies point to increased risk of different female cancers.

There is no telling what other implications a loss of menstruation may contribute to. Only time will tell.

Aside from the unknown effects of messing with Mother Nature, all birth control pills, Lybrel included, contain artificial hormones that your body is not designed to be exposed to, ever.

Long-term use of these synthetic hormones will invariably increase your risk of developing serious chronic illness, including cancer, blood clots, and more.

If women really want to “liberate” themselves, Lybrel is not the answer. Ditching all synthetic birth control and using safer, more natural options, like barrier methods or natural family planning, will truly liberate women by working with their natural cycles, rather than artificially eliminating them.

Even though they are very convenient, I strongly advise avoiding birth control pills like the plague as invariably with enough time they seem to cause some health complication in most women. Please find another safer option as soon as possible.  There's simply no reason to use dangerous synthetic hormones, and risky surgically implantable devices at all. There are many safe birth control alternatives, among them:

Male condoms: Condoms have a 98 percent effectiveness rate when used correctly. A water-based lubricant will increase the effectiveness; do not use an oil-based lubricant, however, as they break the latex.

Female condoms: These thin, soft polyurethane pouches fitted inside the vagina before sex are 95 percent effective. Female condoms are less likely to tear than male condoms.

Diaphragm: Diaphragms, which must be fitted by a doctor, act as a barrier to sperm. When used correctly with spermicidal jellies, they are 92 to 98 percent effective.

Cervical cap: This heavy rubber cap fits tightly against the cervix and can be left in place for 48 hours. Like the diaphragm, a doctor must fit the cap. Proper fitting enhances the effectiveness above 91 percent.

Spermicides: Creams, jellies and suppositories contain chemicals that kill sperm. While they can increase the effectiveness of other forms of contraception listed here, I don't recommend using them alone.

Other natural methods to scientifically check your fertility.

Additionally, any of the above methods can be combined with natural family planning, in which the woman charts her cycle by regularly monitoring her first morning oral temperatures with an accurate thermometer, and also checks her cervical mucous for appearance and "ferning" patterns.  If these two methods are combined, then their effectiveness approaches that of birth control pills.


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Community Comments ( 135 )
Comment on this Article
  
  
mmc88121
[ Joined on 11/06 ] [ Posted on August 2, 2007 ]
32 Points        
   
 
Moderator User
Lets see 
                     Monthly Period VS. increased risk of Stroke
                                                         increased risk of Blood Clots    
                                                         Weight Gain    
                                                          increased risk of Cancer
                                                         increased risk of osteoporosis

I'll stick with the monthly period.

Mary
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
MZ1227
[ Joined on 11/06 ]  [ Posted on August 5, 2007]
4 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola
Monthly period Vs. WEIGHT GAIN?

LOL...

I'm sure most women would chose the *dot*.

And anyway, ever since I started taking fish oil, I've had NO PMS or cramps, so I don't mind having the period now. :)
Mercola
  
luvVDub
[ Joined on 06/07 ]  [ Posted on August 21, 2007]
7 Points        
   
Novice User
  Mercola

A close friend from church, just lost her sister a couple weeks ago to a stroke. She was only 37. She did not smoke or drink. The only thing the doctor attributed this to was birth control pills. He also said that he see two to three women a week that have had strokes in their 30's. He believes that this is from the birth cotrol pills. Pretty Scary! I have not been on any of these for almost 6 years. I had a horrible experience with the Depo shot. I broke out in horrible cystic acne all over my face and back. It took almost three years to clear up. I learned my lesson.

Mercola
  
Mercola Fan
[ Joined on 11/06 ]  [ Posted on August 21, 2007]
3 Points        
   
Apprentice User
  Mercola

Purhaps we all, including the drug companies, need a refresher course in sex ed. There are only certain days of the month when a woman is fertile enough to become pregnant. There are ways of keeping track of those days..one of them is a calender. For those who are not regular enough to use that method, there is a product that will test your saliva to let you know if you are fertile instantly so you can avoid pregnancy with abstinance or a barrier method. It is called an OVUSCOPE (or F scope). I got mine many years ago from a chinese doctor in California named Dr Chi for 100.00

www.chi-health.com/.../F-SCOPE.htmand

I just looked and see they are available right now on amazon.com and other sites as well. I was surprised to see one advertised for only 20.00 at CVS recently also. The interesting thing..for those who are trying to get pregnant..the ovuscope also has a high accuracy rate of predicting the likely sex of the child. Dr Chi's book explains how this works.

www.chi-health.com/.../HERBAL_book.htm

Mercola
  
samurai
[ Joined on 04/07 ]  [ Posted on August 21, 2007]
5 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola

JUST SAY NO TO ARTIFICIAL HORMONES, PEOPLE.  

I HAD TO TAKE DEPO-PROVERA, A PROGESTERONE BASED, BIRTH CONTROL.  I WAS HAVING HORRIBLE MENORRAGHIA FROM A UTERINE FIBROID WHICH IS NOW OUT.

ANYWAY, I HAVE JUST PASSED THE 50-DAY HALF LIFE AND I CANNOT WAIT UNTIL IT IS OUT OF MY SYSTEM.

Mercola
  
rf01
[ Joined on 08/07 ]  [ Posted on August 21, 2007]
1 Points        
   
This user is BELOW novice level and all their comments need to be reviewed with great caution.
  Mercola

If you are going to use birth control pills, I think this is an interesting pill to check out.  Newer versions of birth control pills in the past were a great improvement over older versions.  Before contraceptive devices were readily available, some women often had child after child.  They didn't have menstrual cycles.  I know the pill isn't for all women.  It certainly wasn't for me.  I've been off of it for 10 years.  It caused my blood pressure to increase while I was in my 20's.

Resa

Mercola
  
Dean & Lesly
[ Joined on 06/06 ]  [ Posted on August 22, 2007]
3 Points        
   
Novice User
  Mercola

I agree Mary... I have had painful ones when I was still single to the point when I also experience having vertigo but that doesn't mean that there would be no more comforts.  Now that I had two kids (and planning for 2 more...) menstruation is something that is easy for me to have now.  I do not bleed so much anymore and I agree that you just need to eat healthy, exercise regularly and stay happy.  I am not on any pill which is good for me as I know that pills can have a bad effect in a woman's body and health.  So, I am sticking with having the periods even though there are discomforts (which is not for life...).  

Lesly

Mercola
  
docpoehlmann
[ Joined on 06/06 ]  [ Posted on August 22, 2007]
3 Points        
   
Apprentice User
  Mercola

The reason why women live longer than men is their monthly blood letting, called period. When the period is painful it is a sign of a chronic ovary problem that can be treated quickly and effectively with Neural Therapy (injection of a local anaestetic onto the nerve plexus between ovaries and uterus). It will also help in the symptoms of chronic ovary problems: pain in major joints (hip, knee, elbows, writs, big toe, thumb), sacroiliac joints, stiff necks and gall bladder problems. Do not expect a gynaecologist to diagnose this! Taking hormones will always make the problems worse. When you take a hormone you have no natural periods at all (as the article suggests) but a hormone withdrawal bleeding that might look like a period but is something entirely different. The increase in *** cancer through taking hormones is well documented. So *** cancer, arthitis, stiff necks, lower back pain and gall bladder problems when you get older as a price for not having periods - is it worth it? For preventing pregnancy: Ever heard of the "Maybe Baby" microscope? It is a little microscope where you put a drop of saliva and let it dry. If you see a fern pattern you are fertile. No hormones, no guesswork, no side effects.

Mercola
  
mama_of2
[ Joined on 06/06 ]  [ Posted on August 22, 2007]
3 Points        
   
Apprentice User
  Mercola

Menstruation is clensing our (female) body of impurities. Also is preparing body for pregnancy and birth of the baby ( blood loss and rejuvination).

We (women) are design to have menstrual cycle and PLEASE do not mess with that!!!

There are SOOOOO many problems with PILL and infertility is one of them.

Pass the info to your female friends and educate  them.

What is going on with ALL drug companies? They will do anything for the money?!!!!

Mercola
  
Zimmfam
[ Joined on 08/07 ]  [ Posted on August 24, 2007]
       
   
Novice User
  Mercola

I like how Eckhart Tolle (Power of Now) talks about how many women can reach enlightenment during their menstrual cycle.  His exercises have helped me come to appreciate that time of the month and use it as a time of reflection and also to take good care of myself physically and spiritually.  I suffered terribly all through my teen years and 20's with cramps and PMS.  I wish the Power of Now was available to me during those trying years when I thought menstruation was such a curse.  After practicing the Power of Now and "catching" the negative thoughts and pain before they "take me over" has been a Godsend. Now during that time I feel energized, connected to the planet and empowered.  I meditate a great deal during that time to stay in control. If I do experience pain I sit and feel it instead of trying to run from it, and what I find is that it can't take hold of me.  On the physical level I have also found that Red Clover Extract is an amazing supplement for keeping me regular and lessening the side effects (including excessive bleeding, *** tenderness, etc).

Mercola
  
terryd1960
[ Joined on 04/07 ]  [ Posted on September 8, 2007]
       
   
Novice User
  Mercola

My menstrual cycles were so horrible, from just before I ovulated to a week after my period began (I had one good week a month), pregnancy was a huge relief.  In fact, until I had a hysterectomy in 2001 (which gave me back my life), the only time I was ever healthy after I started menstruating at thirteen was when I was pregnant. I never had morning sickness, and the few minor discomforts, such as needing to pee all the time, were nothing compared to the torture I went through when I wasn't pregnant. Two of my daughters (as did my mother before me) have also gone through this struggle, and birth control pills are the ONLY treatment that work. If I could have continued taking them (I had to stop after my last child was born because I couldn't afford them, and insurance didn't cover them at the time), I would not have spent more than a decade of my life sick, exhausted, in pain, and emotionally labile while trying to raise my five kids, one of whom suffers from a serious mental illness and needed a healthy mother, not the chrinically ill one with whom he was saddled. Women who haven't suffered as I, my mother, and my daughters have don't have the right to an opinion about whether birth control pills are good or bad, they just have the right to make their own choice whether or not to use them.

Mercola
  
Kaelisabeth
[ Joined on 07/07 ]  [ Posted on September 8, 2007]
       
   
Novice User
  Mercola

Reasons why every girl should love their Period:

 I'M NOT PREGNANT! WHOOO!

 Keeps Iron Levels at bay

 Sure reason to beg my teachers to allow bathroom visits (unless you have a really mean teacher)

 I am ensuring that I am healthy and my body is doing it's job

 I'm still Fertile

 I have a legitimate reason not to go swimming if I don't want to

Oh, and by the way, the pill still lets a thin "lush" layer form on the uterus, but you don't expel it.

Um, yuck. I don't know about you, but a lush layer of wall doesn't need to be there unless I'm pregnant!

  
  
Magnolia
[ Joined on 06/06 ] [ Posted on August 5, 2007 ]
20 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
My first thought when reading this article was, "Are those people all crazy ?" I realized then, that Wyeth is not nuts; they are probably counting on making a bundle off this redesigned contraceptive. What a windfall for them.

The people I am taking to task are the ones, like Dr. Patricia Sulak, at Texas A & M, who has come up with the unbrilliant idea that women are having too many periods today. Where on earth did she dream that up? Women in some cultures do have a lot of children and are busy either nursing or being pregnant. But in many cultures, for millenia, they did not. For centuries, Roman Catholic nuns would live their entire lives without being pregnant. The elite of most societies did not require the women to bear more than three or four offspring, especially if at least one of those was a male. So where is this illogical idea coming from?

Personally, I think it