Re: sex during period study
From: anonymous (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue Sep 10 00:36:20 2002
D.N., I'm with you!
At Mon, 9 Sep 2002, D.N. wrote:
>
>Hi Lauren
>
>I don't buy the study. I used tampons ( I had heavy periods and
>sometimes had to use two at a time) a lot when I still had real periods,
>I had severe endo.
>
>Also the theory that an orgasm pushes fluids out doesn't make complete
>sense to me. If the uterus is a muscle and it contracts and there are
>holes other than the cervix (the fallopian tubes) it seems when the
>uterus contacts some of the fluid could go out the other tubes too. This
>is JMO.
>
>I think there is a lot more to the development of endo. Again, JMO.
>
>Best wishes,
>D.N.
>
>At Mon, 9 Sep 2002, lauren wrote:
>>
>>Hi all,
>>I was just wondering if any one had read about the recent study which
>>linked having sex during your period and the use of tampons with a
>>decrease in the symptoms of endo.
>>
>>Apparently, if you believe in the retrograde menstruation theory, the
>>study's finding kind of makes sense, since both using tampons and having
>>orgasms at that time of month would tend to encourage the flow of blood
>>out of the body. I have posted two article abstracts on the study below
>>for anyone who has not heard about it.
>>Anyway, I was just curious if anyone had any comments. I know the
>>endometriosis association strongly disavows the study on the grounds
>>that the researchers have confused cause and effect - in other words,
>>the association maintains that women who have endometriosis are in
>>extreme pain during their periods, so they tend not to want to have sex,
>>not, as the researchers suggest, women who have sex during their periods
>>thereby lessen the chances of getting symptomatic endo.
>>However, without getting too personal, I personally can offer some
>>anecdotal support for the lessening of symptoms after engaging in the
>>activities mentioned, if you know what I mean. But this could be a
>>coincidence, of course.
>>
>>I'd appreciate any thoughts! Below are the articles fyi.
>>
>>Time Magazine
>>
>>Monday, June 10, 2002
>>
>>Vol. 159, Issue: 23
>>Janice M. Horowitz
>>
>>ENDOMETRIOSIS NEWS More than 10 million American women have
>>endometriosis, a condition that's not only painful but is also linked to
>>infertility. Now researchers think it may be preventable. A
>>fascinating though preliminary study suggests that women who use tampons
>>or who have sex when they are menstruating significantly reduce their
>>risk of getting the disease. How? The latest thinking is that
>>endometriosis develops because menstrual fluid backs up and travels to
>>the ovaries, Fallopian tubes and outer surface of the womb, where it
>>takes root. Having sex--more specifically, having an orgasm--causes the
>>uterus to contract, pushing out the fluid. And
>>tampons? They seem to act like a wick, drawing fluid out. The findings
>>may not be definitive enough to change your personal habits, but they're
>>worth considering.
>>
>>******************************************
>>
>>******************************************
>>--
>>******************************************
>>New York Times Abstracts
>>******************************************
>>Copyright New York Times Company Jun 4, 2002
>>
>>Tuesday, June 4, 2002
>>
>>Section F
>>
>>A Study of Endometriosis Brings Surprising Results
>>Eric Nagourney
>>
>>The discovery took researchers at Yale and Southern Connecticut State
>>Universities by surprise. Endometriosis, which often plays a role in
>>infertility, is thought to be associated with the amount of menstrual
>>fluid that backs up. And researchers long assumed that tampon use and
>>sexual activity would only worsen the backup.
>>
>>The researchers found that sex and tampon use, rather than contributing
>>to the backup of menstrual fluid in the pelvic cavity,
>>probably had the reverse effect. "An orgasm probably does move debris,
>>but instead of going backward it helps to get it out," Dr.
>>[Harvey J. Kliman] said. "And the tampons seem to act like a wick."
>>
>>--
>>-lauren
>>
![[ endo@obgyn.net ]](../../images/endo_at_obgyn.gif)