Do you know that US women with heavy menstrual flows work 3.6 fewer weeks yearly compared with women without mentrual problems and lose an estimated $1692 in wages per woman annually?
Actually, menstruation or not, does not pose any health advantages. In 2005, the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (ARHP) surveyed 1018 women aged 18-40 revealed that women harbour many misconceptions about their period, including what is "natural" and have an incomplete understanding of menstruation.
What are the usual symptoms of mentruation?
According to the study, 84% of them will experience bloating, 84% moodiness, 84% irritability, 81% cramps, 80% pimples or acne, 76% less energy, 70% food cravings, 69% breast tenderness, and 59% headaches,64% often or sometimes experience heavy bleeding and 63% have "really bad cramps".
So, what can we do about it?
SUPPRESS IT!
Women who wish to suppress their menstruation, are mostly women with menstrual-related medical or gynecologic problems, adolescents, perimenopausal women, athletes, females in the military, athletes, females with mental disabilities. Women who choose to menstruate less frequently are also candidates.
Since 1977, numerous randomized clinical trial have evaluated the safety and efficacy of extended use regimens of combination oral contraceptives. Extended contraception regimens eliminate the placebo week from the standard 21/7 day cycle.
Are there any side effects?
The major side effect of extended use hormonal contraceptives is unscheduled bleeding and spotting during the first few cycles of use. This side effect typically abates within a few months as the body adjusts to the new hormonal balance. No worry, as no endometrial hyperplasia or significant pathology has been observed in trials and the endometrium quickly reverts to normal cyclic changes after discontinuation.
How about benefits?Nonmenstrual benefits of extended regimens OCs
medical conditions include iron-deficiency anemia, mentrual related migraines or seizures, dysmenorrhea, prementrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and menorrhagia.
Is it safe?A lot of women may not aware that it is not medically necessary to bleed while taking hormonal contraceptives. No ovulation occurs and menstrual blood does not build up with hormonal methods. Monthly bleeding episodes are false periods designed to make cycles with the pill seem more "natural".
No serious side effects have been detected across dozens of studies involving thousand of women. There are no harmful effects on the uterine lining. Data on conventional pills use are reassuring regarding breast cancer risk. One study showed no increase of breast cancer related to OC dose, duration of use, young age at initiation, or family history. Return to fertility after discontinuation is expected to be the same as for conventional OCs.
Ask the pharmacist! He would counsel u on how to
1) Carefully select your hormone free days and create a full pharmaceutical care plan for you.
2)Expect unscheduled spotting and bleeding initially.
3)Stick to your schedule given by your pharmacist.
The author can be contacted by email: pharmalogik@gmail.com or msn: leems123@hotmail.com
(Sources: Epocrates CME)
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