VANCOUVER -- New forms of birth control pills that eliminate periods could soon come to Canada. A period-reducing pill is already available in the U-S. And with a new contraceptive called "Anya" awaiting approval from Health Canada -- many wonder if saying goodbye to menstruation is really a good thing.
Some women believe that we shouldn't be interfering with a woman's natural cycle.
Even though pills to reduce or eliminate periods aren't yet available in Canada, many women are already surpressing their periods using existing contraceptives. They simply throw away the sugar pills and continue with the medication.
Dr. Amanda Black, OB/GYN at Ottawa Hospital and Chair of Gynecologists of Canada Contraceptive Awareness Project, says, "I don't feel that there is a huge risk in taking the birth control pill, patch or ring in a continuous fashion. Best data taking it in tradional method way suggests it's safe and effective method."
Dr. Black says a lot of the worry stems from misconceptions about what actually happens with menstrual suppression.
"Alot of people often worried buildup of toxins. In fact, any hormonal works primarily by thinning out of the uterus. There is no build-up whatsoever."
In fact, the monthly bleeding that comes with traditional birth control is simply mimicking what happens when a pregnancy does not occur.
Dr. Black says, "it isn't necessarily a natural period. It's induced by the lack of hormones in that week off the pill, patch or ring."
UBC grad student Robin Repta is studying women's views about menstrual suppression.
"Not all women are sold. No, alot of women I talked too are hesitant because they think menstration is part of their natural bodies, healthy cycle. It's important to make sure that their bodies are functioning properly."
But for women with severe premenstrual problems. Stopping menstruation can be a godsend.
Tuesday June 27, 2006
