Do I really need to have my period?
Dear Dr Mitchell,
Do I really need to have my menses, or can I take the pill continuously for months on end to avoid the period? Are there any benefits at all to having my period?
Taking the oral contraceptive pills continuously to avoid the period is quite a safe choice. This may be done simply for the convenience of not having the periods or may sometimes be advised by your doctor in the treatment of women with endometriosis. The problem with continuous oral contraceptive pill is that if you miss a pill you can get irregular breakthrough bleeding which can be unpredictable and inconvenient, so you have to be disciplined about taking the pill every day.
You can also suppress your monthly period by using the contraceptive injection Depo Provera. This has no oestrogen in it and is quite, safe especially in women who have medical problems which make taking oestrogen preparations dangerous.
Initially there may be some irregular spotting but long-term there is no monthly period. This is quite safe and has the additional benefits of reducing the risk of anaemia and controlling period pains.
The other option is the Mirena. This is a contraceptive device that is placed inside the uterus. It contains the hormone levonorgestrel which is a progesterone. It causes extremely light to initially no menstrual flow in women who use it and would be a good choice.
It is quite safe not to have the period. It is important though that you consult with your doctor to ensure that you do not have any health issues that would make taking the oral contraceptive pill a danger to your health. This is important since it contains oestrogen and not all women should take this preparation. Women who have had a history of breast cancer, stroke, heart attack, clots in the legs or lungs, smokers, severe hypertensive patients and those with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus should not take the oral contraceptive pill.
Best wishes.
Dr Sharmaine Mitchell is an obstetrician and gynaecologist. Send questions via e-mail to allwoman@ jamaicaobserver.com; write to All Woman, 40-421/2 Beechwood Ave, Kingston 5; or fax to 968-2025. We regret we cannot provide personal responses.
DISCLAIMER:
The contents of this article are for informational purposes only and must not be relied upon as an alternative to medical advice or treatment from your own doctor or other professional healthcare provider.
