Headache, back pain, breast pain, dancing mood, but also abdominal tension and weight gain. They are classic symptoms of the menstrual cycle, which almost all women have. In fact, 60 to 90% of women suffer during menstruation. A pain that, in 5-15% of cases, also causes cases of absence at work.
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- The small contraceptive and the other contraceptives,
- Cultural and psychological resistances,
- Because there are no health problems
The birth control pill and the new contraceptives
Today, however, there are gods available to women new oral contraceptives low dose, which can release the woman from menstrual flow.
Normal use of the birth control pill provides for the intake of 21 sugared almonds and then a week of suspension in which one occurs pseudo-cycle. “This break was introduced for reassure the woman that everything is regular, as in the spontaneous menstrual cycle, confirming that there is no pregnancy »she explains Sara Gaita, gynecologist of the Santagostino Medical Center.
In the packaging of the new contraceptives, on the other hand, there are 28 sugared almonds, of which only 24 or 26 are active (the remaining are placebos), with or without natural estrogens, which completely cancel out il menstrual flow, "Without this effect being a problem for women's health".
There are also new ones spirals with minimal hormonal release (Medicated IUD) that cancel or greatly limit the cycle: "They are very effective and practical methods because they are" fit and forget ": they last from 3 to 5 years, they can also be used by very young girls and by patients who have not given birth, they have a very low hormonal release that is limited to the uterus and without the systemic effects of the pill ».
The woman's cycle: how it works
go to the galleryIn the beginning it was an egg! Look at the fascinating photos in this photo gallery and discover how life can be born from a simple egg cell.
Cultural and psychological resistances
L'absence of the cyclehowever, it is experienced by women as something unnatural and artificial. "The materiality of the menstrual cycle can play a significant emotional role," she comments Nicoletta Massone, psychotherapist psychologist of the CSTCS and teacher of the School of Comparative Psychotherapy of Genoa. If it is true, in fact, that theabsence of menstrual flow it could make life easier for women, on the other hand it could also make them have a bad emotional experience.
«The first menstruation, for example, tells us that something feared and expected has finally happened. "They are like my friends, I do not stay behind. Something will not happen that will make me different forever. I too have grown up." The visibility of the menstrual cycle thus becomes an achievement and a confirmation of the fact that life can be given ».
The blood, then, every month, will attest to an internal vitality, with respect to fantasies of destructiveness. The cycle, in fact, understood as the ability to generate life, becomes a metaphor for being able to achieve something good. On the contrary, his absence would be the confirmation of not being able to.
"That blood it speaks to us of creation: there is something that every month tells us that we are not entirely a failure. A constant reassurance, therefore, with respect to clashes, misunderstandings and the loneliness experienced in relationships; repeated relief from a definitive sterility that smacks of old age and death. Despite every lack, every incompleteness, that flow still attests its belonging to the circuit of life and possibilities, bearing witness to an undisputed, precious ability ».
Today, there are new low-dose oral contraceptives available to women, which can free women from menstrual flow.
Because there are no health problems
Yet, from a medical point of view, there would be no contraindications. «For a woman who does not wish to become pregnant and for this purpose she uses a hormonal contraceptive method, the presence of menstrual flow is actually superfluous », resumes the gynecologist of the Santagostino Medical Center.
Il menstrual flowin fact, it would not have the function of keeping the woman healthy by renewing the body. "These are beliefs that menstrual loss has assumed over the centuries at a cultural and anthropological level - continues the expert - but which have no scientific basis".
Medically, the menstrual flow it only indicates that the woman has ovulated, but not conceived. "The loss of blood during menstruation is therefore not useful for the balance of the body as such, but is only the epiphenomenon of the fact that the genital system works regularly".
If the new drugs are successful, it will therefore depend on the ability of women to overcome their cultural and psychological resistances.
Questions and answers
Birth control pill: how is it used?
The normal use of the contraceptive pill involves taking 21 sugared almonds and then a week of suspension in which a pseudo-cycle takes place. This pause was introduced to reassure the woman that everything is regular, as in the spontaneous menstrual cycle, confirming that there is no pregnancy.
Birth control pills and new oral contraceptives: are there any contraindications?
From a medical point of view, there would be no contraindications. For a woman who does not want to become pregnant and for this purpose she uses a hormonal method of contraception, the presence of menstrual flow is actually superfluous. The menstrual flow only indicates that the woman has ovulated, but not conceived. The loss of blood during menstruation is therefore not useful for the balance of the body as such, but is only the epiphenomenon of the fact that the genital system works regularly.
TAG:
- period
- Menses
- birth control pill
- contraception
