|
|
|
WHAT'S NEW
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Putting a stop to your periods
|
|
|
Discover the pros and cons of modifying your monthly cycle.
|
|
|
By Karyn Wilson
|
|
|
|
|
Weigh the pros and cons
Durand recognizes that many women are abandoning their natural rhythms, choosing to "customize" their cycles according to their busy lives. This fact worries American psychiatrist and women's health expert Susan Rako, M.D., author of No More Periods?: The Risks of Menstrual Suppression and Other Cutting-Edge Issues About Hormones and Women's Health (Harmony, 2003). In her book, she offers cautionary advice that outlines the dangers associated with altering the female body's natural rhythms.
According to Rako, the artificial manipulation of the menstrual cycle exposes women to a number of alarming health risks. She writes, "Disrupting the normal menstrual cycle eliminates a natural mechanism that lowers blood pressure. These changes are bad for our immune system...increase our risk of heart attacks and strokes, and decrease our sexual desire, sensitivity and pleasure." Durand's response to this is that any medication a woman is taking can cause these reactions, it is simply a matter of what works best for a patient. Some women on the pill may feel a decrease in their sexual desire while others do not feel any different.
Is stopping your period for extended periods of time good or bad? The best way to determine this is to be informed and consult your doctor to determine what is best for your body. Here's a brief look at some of the possible pains and gains of menstruation suppression.
Possible side effects
• Blood clots
• Heart attack & stroke
• Decreased sexual desire
• Increase risk of cancer of the cervix (not the cause but may contribute to growth of cancer)
How the pill can help
• Alleviate pain caused by endometriosis
• Reduce the occurrence of menstrual migraine headaches
• Alleviate symptoms associated with menstruation
• Convenience (ability to customize menstrual cycle to accommodate your lifestyle)
Page 2 of 2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 more articles |
|
|
|
|
|
|
