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Re: Ceasing menstruation with birth control pills
From: anon (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 15 Nov 2000 16:52:56 -0600 (CST)
If I could add an additional, related quastion- what is the concensus on
delaying menstruation? How about not ceasing menstruation altogether,
but skipping it every few months (as 3-4 periods a year does not sound
like one needs to have one every month...)? THANKS IN ADVANCE!
At Wed, 15 Nov 2000, Lynn D. Montgomery, MD wrote:
>
>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 ;-)
>
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