New Contraceptive Pill approved to stop periods

Nurses General Nursing

Published

:uhoh3:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6684511.stm

Okay, all of you gyne experts-we know the obvious benefits of this pill, but what are the risks?

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:

I'm right with you on that one. I finally, just this past week, decided to keep two "sets". I am soooo looking forward to getting on something to get rid of my periods...it's just a mess...I just want the option to have another baby as soon as I'm done with nursing school.

Specializes in Brain injury,vent,peds ,geriatrics,home.

I cant believe this would be safe.God has created us a certain way and for our bodies to maintain homeostasis.I personally wouldnt even try it.

I cant believe this would be safe.God has created us a certain way and for our bodies to maintain homeostasis.I personally wouldnt even try it.

God also created an immune system. By that same argument the entire practice of medicine is really an intervention to the natural order.

Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.
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']

Off the top of my head:

  • As the decades go by, we have a greater likelihood of developing structural abnormalities in the uterus like polyps and fibroids that are caused by long-term estrogen dominance. These benign polyps and fibroids cause heavy bleeding.
  • Balance between estrogen and progesterone goes wacky in the perimenopausal years and this can cause heavy bleeding.
  • Increased body fat correlates with age. Body fat produces estrone, which in turn, builds up the endometrium causing heavy bleeding.

Here's a good article:

http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic1449.htm

Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.
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.

i thought i should let you know - i'm a pre-nursing student. even though i stand by what i said, it may not be wise to use what i said for patient-teaching.

In skimming through this thread, something I have not seen that I had a thought on are long term effects. By altering hormones a bit, what will the long term risks/effects be as relates to Osteoporosis?

I was on depo for 7 years. Recently switched to the pill because my husband and I are planning to start trying for kids as soon as I graduate, and depo can take months to leave your system. I didn't have any food cravings. I gained some weight during the 7 years, but I also lost 30 pounds while I was still on it so I don't think it's attributable to the drug. I also aged from 20 to 27, so my metabolism probably slowed a bit. The only side effects I had were rare spotting the first year or so and I used to get a little overemotional right when I got my shot - it seemed like for a few days or a week I'd cry over nothing, or yell at a telemarketer for interrupting my dinner. Also, FYI - your periods don't necessarily stop right away with depo. It's nor practical to take it for only that reason so you can plan to be out of the country, b/c they might stop in your third month or in your seventh on the shot. The new pill might be a better option.

In skimming through this thread, something I have not seen that I had a thought on are long term effects. By altering hormones a bit, what will the long term risks/effects be as relates to Osteoporosis?

Mmm, since your hormone levels remain stable there should be no problem.

I have been on Seasonale for almost a year. I am supposed to have a period every 3 months during the week of the placebo pills. However, I have not had a period in 6 months. I asked my gyno if it was ok that I wasn't having a period. He said (laughing) maybe you are pregnant. I about slapped him :chuckle I am taking the pill to keep my already extensive endometriosis at bay. If I were pregnant, It would be a miraculous conception. My husband was snipped before I found out about the Endo. I only have one ovary now due to the Endo, and I am on the pill. Anyway, he said it's no big deal. I do worry about osteoporosis though with taking the pill long term.

Just speaking from personal experience, I was on the pill for 8 years and switched to Depo. Was on Depo for a year and never had any female problems until then. I began to have ovarian cysts and endometriosis. Took care of those problems with surgery and got back on the pill. Was on birth control a total of 13 years but ever since I took depo I've had repeated issues. I decided to go completely off birth control in January and life has been wonderful. No more pain or cysts at all! I know everyone will argue with me but I honestly believe that the artificial hormones were what was causing all my problems. It got to the point where I was gonna have my ovary out it was so bad! So for me, the no-period-pill is a BIG NO-NO!!! It's just unnatural!

rn/writer makes a very valid point, prior to contraception women had more babies and breastfed them which meant they had far fewer periods than women today.

Estrogen has been linked to both lung cancer in smokers and breast cancer so it stands to reason reducing the constant levels of estrogen production may have a positive effect on the likelihood of cancer.

Sorry. I don't think it is a good idea to take medication unless you are sick.

I don't like the pharmaceutical industry advertising medication for non illness.

Menstruation is not a disorder.

Being awake is not a disorder. I'm tired of that moth on TV and the one with two covers to keep you asleep all night.

Being nervous in social situations is not usually an indication to take medication.

I would rather wake up and go to the bathroom than take a pill to prevent it.

Dry eyes?

Is a NEW medication for heartburn really needed?

A new arthritis medication and a new oral anti diabetic medication that were heavily advertised are just found to be dangerous.

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