New Contraceptive Pill approved to stop periods

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · May 23, 2007

Basically, this new Rx is just birth control pills tweeked a tiny bit and with continuous dosing. I know that for decades, female physicians, have personally taken their oral contraceptives without a monthly break. The progestin component keeps the uterine lining from building up. I've heard this refered to as "pseudo-pregnancy" for the uterus.

I took continuous estrogen/progesterone for years without monthly breaks and had no bleeding. I had uterine ultra sounds that showed the lining to be thin and healthy.

Now, I personally, would not take any contraceptive pill long-term. However, that is because I believe artificial progestins (not progesterone) to be dangerous. But that is a topic for another thread and another time!

prinzessdy · May 23, 2007

Im sorry babe, I'm no laughing, but the image of GET ME A TACO NOW!!!........or YOU WILL BE SORRY!! is funny!
So this just happens when the new depo is due does it? think I could cope with that..maybe! Did you never have this before..its only with the depo?

This happpens 2 weeks before the depo is due and about 1 week after you get it (for me anyways). And it is pretty much the way you describe it:lol2: . And it is not that you eat too much at all, Its just that you have to have that taste and you are fine. It has pretty much been like this the entire 12 years! Oh well.

allnurses Guide · May 23, 2007

It would be helpful for me not to have period for the next two months as during that time I will be in Vietnam - we work in rural villages and the bathroom is an "outhouse" of sorts. So, to not bleed would be cool.

However I don't like putting "chemicals" in my body and probably wouldn't use something long term.

Plus, I'm pushing 50 . . menopause is around the corner. And my periods have never been painful. I just bleed more now.

steph

danissa, LPN, LVN · May 23, 2007

prinzessdy.this is another road I may think of! If what you describe is bearable, then it sounds ok! Anything to take away the monthly monster is desirable! My dh had the snip 14 yrs ago, so the contraceptive thing is not an issue, but just for relief........so needed!

SillyLilly · May 24, 2007

I do not get my period unless I am on BC. Blood tests show up ok. My gyno said that I should be on BC because its good to have my period to decrease my risk of cervical cancer. As far as I know, Im not at an increase risk for cervical or ovarian cancer.

I have heard that its safe to not have periods, I have heard it unsafe too...

Silverdragon102, BSN · May 24, 2007

Silverdragon, is there a medication embedded or coated onto the IUD? I've not heard of it.

http://www.mirena.com/html/index.html

yes it has hormone Very popular. Also have noticed Implanon (implant contraceptive) becoming popular stopping menses and changed every 3 years. Depo provera in the UK has guidelines which indicate assessing after 2 years due to bone density effects and risks evaluated regarding continuing on it

bigsyis · May 24, 2007

basically, this new rx is just birth control pills tweeked a tiny bit and with continuous dosing. i know that for decades, female physicians, have personally taken their oral contraceptives without a monthly break. the progestin component keeps the uterine lining from building up. i've heard this refered to as "pseudo-pregnancy" for the uterus.
i took continuous estrogen/progesterone for years without monthly breaks and had no bleeding. i had uterine ultra sounds that showed the lining to be thin and healthy.
thank you! this is exactly what i was wondering. it makes good sense! thanks also for the info on the mirena iud. i haven't had a uterus in years, but it is good to know this. you never know when it might be useful for pt teaching, or hx, or something.

deanaRN · May 25, 2007

Didn't see anything about how long until it is available, just that it has been approved. Would love to try it.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · May 25, 2007

Wouldn't you know it, just as I hit menopause, they come out with a pill that stops periods............sigh.........

When I think of all the money I could've saved on super-plus tampons, super-sized pads, Depends, and ruined underwear, I wish they'd developed this pill 30 or 40 years ago! :idea:

bumpkittynurse · May 25, 2007

Yes, you can use any regular non-graduated dose oral contraceptive (where the hormones aren't higher or lower each week to mimic the body's actions) and just skip the last week of sugar pills. My gyn doc actually prescribed it to relieve my bilat ovarian cysts, and so far it seems to have worked. There was an excellent article in the New Yorker a few years ago about the inventor of the pill designing it to conform to socially acceptable concepts of "monthly cycles" because of pressure from religious groups.

Periods are not just annoyances for some women, but a full 1/4th of their life (three months out of the year!) of being lethargic, in pain, irritable. I like to think i'm doing my patients and myself a favor by being less distracted by physical symptoms and not wanting to bite them when they ask for more ice.

dream'n, BSN, RN · May 26, 2007

Plus, I'm pushing 50 . . menopause is around the corner. And my periods have never been painful. I just bleed more now.
steph

We were just discussing this at work today. Why as we get older, do our periods seem to get heavier and heavier? Several of us have noticed this happening. Why is that?

rn/writer, RN · May 26, 2007

We were just discussing this at work today. Why as we get older do our periods seem to get heavier and heavier? Several of us have noticed this happening. Why is that?[/quote']
Maybe a "going out of business" sale? All fluids must go.