Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Sonja Herbert, MPH, National Women's Health Network, 732 Stannage Ave, Albany, CA 94706, 510 527 4304, sherbert@world.oberlin.edu

What woman hasn't at least occasionally wished she could avoid having her period? Scientists have now found a way to offer women this option via extended use oral contraceptive pills. Taken for 90 days at a time, extended use OCs enable women to have just 4 periods a year, instead of a dozen. Menstrual suppression has become somewhat controversial. Proponents claim that regular menstrual cycles are at best a hassle and at worst promote disease. Spokespeople for the manufacturer have told women that they're likely to score better on tests if they're not having their period. In all cases, the right of individual women to make a choice about whether or not to have monthly periods is stressed. Feminist critics have pointed out that associating women's periods with intellectual weakness and physical disease is old fashioned sexism, even when presented in a modern advertising campaign. Some critics have even questioned whether or not it is safe to suppress menstrual bleeding. The author will review the claims made on both sides of the controversy, and present an analysis that adds a scientific underpinning to the debate.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, the participant will be able to

• Describe the mechanism of action of extended use oral contraceptives.
• Articulate the arguments for and against menstrual suppression.
• Analyze messages used in advertising campaigns for menstrual suppression.

Keywords: Family Planning, Women's Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No