And, a 1998 study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine concluded that menstrual suppression can be helpful in treating women with conditions such as migraines, epilepsy, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and diabetes, all of which can become exacerbated during the pre-menstrual or menstrual cycle. Indeed, many physicians are advocating extending the number of contraceptive pills for women who are uncomfortable with the notion of totally eliminating their periods. The regimen is designed to reduce the number of periods a woman has from 13 to four per year. Clinical studies, involving more than 1,000 women in more than 50 sites nationwide begin late this summer, and the drug manufacturer hopes to bring the drug to market by early 2004. Not For Everyone Eliminating monthly periods is not without its problems, however.
Many women report breakthrough bleeding and spotting as well as some bloating and weight gain.
Physicians are also quick to point out that while the new low-dose oral contraceptives overall are extremely safe and have many benefits, they are not for everyone. These included women who have hypertension, diabetes, migraine headaches, fibrocystic breast changes or a history of breast cancer, uterine fibroids, or high cholesterol. Combination oral contraceptive, those containing both estrogen and progestin, should be prescribed with caution, if ever, to smokers over the age of 35. Women smokers under the age of 30 who are otherwise healthy can generally be prescribed combination oral contraceptives. If blood pressure remains well controlled, use can be continued.