WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for November, 2000: Re: Ceasing menstruation with birth control pills

Re: Ceasing menstruation with birth control pills

From: Lynn D. Montgomery, MD (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 15 Nov 2000 10:14:39 -0600 (CST)

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At Tue, 14 Nov 2000, Katie wrote: >
>I am a senior in college and I am taking a human sexuality class this
>semester. I am doing my research paper on the use of birth control
>pills to stop your period. I just wanted to hear some thoughts about
>this topic from some doctors. I know that a person who takes triphasic
>pills can skip the placebo pills at the end of the pack and start taking
>the beginning of the pack, therefore stopping menstruation. Do you
>think that ceasing your period alltogether is a good thing or a bad
>thing to do to your body? What are your reasons? I know that this method
>of using the pill has not been approved by the FDA yet, so would you
>reccomend a paitent to take the pill in this way? I would love whatever
>feedback you could give me about the subject! Thanks!

Katie, Taking the pill without a break has not been defintively proven safe. It is pretty clear that a woman should have at least 3-4 periods per year, regardless of whether she is taking the pills or not. The concern revolves around the continuous stimulation with the estrogen in the pill and by not having a period, the stimulation could result in abnormal cellularity within the uterus, resulting in a potential pre-malignant process. In most current pills, there is a progesterone contained as well. This may counter the effects of the long term estrogen stimulation and limit the dangers associated. This, however, is the part that has not been definitively studied over a long enough period of time. Many women on the combination pills will actually get to the point that they do not have periods, even during the time they are supposed to. This is because the estrogen and progesterone allow a balance within the uterine lining. There isn't enough built up to shed monthly and there isn't a problem with abnormal cellularity developing in the uterine lining... Lynn

--
Lynn D. Montgomery, MD
Director, Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Rocky Mountain Perinatal Center
Missoula, Montana

**Note:  Opinions expressed here are for educational purposes only and, as such, do not constitute a physician-patient relationship.  This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to consult with your physician prior to choosing therapeutic options and/or interventions.

**Private e-mails cannot be entertained due to time constraints, consequently no private e-mails will receive a response.

**Thank you for your understanding ;-)

Next message: MKM: "Coming of the Pill"
Previous message: Lynn D. Montgomery, MD: "Re: Whats the chances??"
In reply to: Katie: "Ceasing menstruation with birth control pills"
Next in thread: anon: "Re: Ceasing menstruation with birth control pills"
Reply: anon: "Re: Ceasing menstruation with birth control pills"

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