Why Would I Want to Avoid My Period?

Author: Theresa Carle-Sanders

I was watching the TV a couple of nights ago, when an ad came on from some multinational pharmaceutical company informed me "That there is no medical reason to have a monthly period."

And so began their ad for the Lybrel the first birth control pill specifically designed to stop womens' periods. Now that is seriously messed up.

I was further dismayed only a couple of minutes later when I Googled this exact phrase. It took me until the 3rd page of results to find someone (anyone) who even remotely disagreed with this idea.

Many of the sites in favour of such a concept indicate that woman will be more productive on this pill. Why do THEY continue to find ways for me to work "harder, stronger and faster?" It's just another attempt to enslave the population and advance the corporation as far as I'm concerned.

As a society, we are obsessed with labeling what should be a monthly time of reflection for women as a "curse" and something to be avoided. Cultures around the world have celebrated a woman's period for hundreds of thousands of years. Many still do (although they are becoming fewer and farther between.)

Menstrual tents and huts were a common feature in pre-modern cultures around the world, from native Americans to Africans. There, women would gather to spend their monthly time together. Men were prohibited from entering. It allowed women (and men!) time away from the opposite sex to strengthen their bonds, share stories and renew body, mind and spirit.

At the same time, the pre and post menstrual women of the community would assume the menstruating womens' duties, thereby ensuring the smooth continuation of life for the whole community. See what happens when we work together?

And that's just my commentary on the social considerations that this pill brings up. But what about the effects on womens' health? There are very few autonomic processes that the body engages in "just for the hell of it." There are reasons for the monthly shedding of the lining of a woman's uterus. It cleanses the body of unneeded tissue. It regulates our internal clock, and signals that the body is on a normal, healthy rhythm. It reminds us that we are women. It promotes and necessitates simply slowing down for a couple of days a month, while our bodies do their thing. I could go on...

I understand that many women suffer from extreme physical and emotional pain during this time of month. I used to be one of them. However, there are many ways to reduce and regulate this pain naturally, without the use of pharmeceuticals. Changes in diet, regular exercise, acupuncture, relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and meditation are all known to relieve symptoms.

Before we adapt this most recent attempt to over medicate the population, I ask everyone to seriously consider what we are talking about here. This will have far reaching impacts on womens' mental and physical health and attitudes about what is normal. I am especially concerned about the effect it will have on pre-pubescent girls who are just starting to learn about menstruation.

I know THEY say it's safe. But THEY said that about Thalidomide, Paxil for Teens and Silicone Breast Implants, just to name a few.

Interesting reading on this topic includes:

Her Blood is Gold by Lara Owen (Non-Fiction)

In the House of the Moon: Reclaiming the Feminine Spirit of Healing by Jason Elias & Katherine Ketcham (Non-Fiction)

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant (Fiction)

Theresa Carle-Sanders is a corporate refugee that moved from a tiny apartment in the big city to a moderately sized home with a large garden on a lovely rural island, where she lives with her husband and their Dalmatian. She has come to appreciate the freedom of a simpler life. Her blog, Ideas and Recipes for Simpler Living can be found at ruralpioneer.blogspot.com