Click to play videoNew Delhi: Can woman imagine a world without PMS, without cramps and without periods?
There is news that could actually be a medical breakthrough. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has just approved an oral contraceptive, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals' pill Lybrel for continuous use. And the pill is expected to hit stores in US in July.
Says gynaecologist, Apollo Hospital, Dr Geeta Chadha, “The pill contains normal hormones, what other pills have: estrogen and progesterone one thing. You take the same hormone, you don't have any hormone-free day. If you don't have a hormone-free day, you do not bleed. You’ll be a period-free person for a whole year.”
So it's an oral contraceptive that allows women to put their menstrual cycle on hold, not just for a month or two but also for a whole year at a time.
Most subjects in the clinical studies did experience some spotting, which lessened over time.
Doctors however, don't think that in itself is cause for concern. What is, though, is whether what's being called the period-free pill is meant for everyone.
“Liver gets no time free of the oestrogen load and the progesterone load, so anyone with a weak liver, there are more chances of liver disease or gall bladder disease, with patients who continue the pills. In simpler words, family history, younger heart attacks/ strokes/ deep vein thrombosis, these are a huge risk group I would say do not touch hormones with a barge pole also,” says Dr Chadha.
In any case, oral contraceptive pills aren't meant for everyone. Most have side effects including increasing the risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack, and these risks are increased in those who smoke.
So now that a life without a period is a physical possibility, will women worldwide even want to look a potential gift horse in the mouth?
Since the pills involve hormones, and there's no word on possible long-term health effects, clearly the bottom line is to get a medical opinion, and make an informed choice.
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