Tuesday, August 09, 2005
New Product Being Advertised to Women
On the news tonight there was this report about Seasonale, a new birth control option which eliminates your monthly periods. The way it works is the same as regular birth control pills, leaving women with 4 periods per year.
Interestingly, the choice of giving women 4 periods per year was done through market research. Apparently women's responses to marketing were most positive for the number 4, but not because there is any health benefit for this number.
This pill is very controversial. Women of all ages are reacting very differently. Some think it is amazing to be able to live without getting the monthly visit, while others think it is a plot to control women's bodies, let alone make more money from women's bodies by drug companies.
For me, one serious concern is that there is no evidence that the long term effects of this drug won't hurt women in the long run. They have short term studies, but no more than two years.
Interestingly, the choice of giving women 4 periods per year was done through market research. Apparently women's responses to marketing were most positive for the number 4, but not because there is any health benefit for this number.
This pill is very controversial. Women of all ages are reacting very differently. Some think it is amazing to be able to live without getting the monthly visit, while others think it is a plot to control women's bodies, let alone make more money from women's bodies by drug companies.
For me, one serious concern is that there is no evidence that the long term effects of this drug won't hurt women in the long run. They have short term studies, but no more than two years.
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I'll never get comfy with the drug companies as money-making machines. Stuff like this makes me pretty willing to believe they'd rather string us along with expensive treatments than look for the cures for diseases.
And the shot, Depo-Provera, eliminates pretty much all periods for most women, if anyone's interested.
And the shot, Depo-Provera, eliminates pretty much all periods for most women, if anyone's interested.
I use a Mirena - like Depo Provera is pretty much eliminates my period (except for some scant spotty 2-3 times per year).
My understanding of Seasonale is that you could achieve the same effect by using traditional birth control pills, but not taking the placebos or skipping a week, just taking the 21 pills then immediately starting a new pack.
People have been using traditional birth control pills for well over 30 years, the risk/side effect profile is pretty well established. And dropping down to 4 periods a year isn't exactly abnormal when you stretch it over years and years - most women have 2 children or less nowadays and start having them much later. 100 years ago women would have missed years and years worth of periods through 6 - 10 pregnancies and upwards of 10 years breastfeeding.
In fact, there's compelling research to suggest that the increase in ovarian cancer is in part due to the damage that repeated ovulation causes to the ovaries. Birth control might then actually help to reduce the risk (though there's no conclusive evidence to support that theory as of yet).
I guess this is a long winded way of saying that anything that increases a woman's choices in regards to her body (as long as that choice is informed) is a good thing.
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My understanding of Seasonale is that you could achieve the same effect by using traditional birth control pills, but not taking the placebos or skipping a week, just taking the 21 pills then immediately starting a new pack.
People have been using traditional birth control pills for well over 30 years, the risk/side effect profile is pretty well established. And dropping down to 4 periods a year isn't exactly abnormal when you stretch it over years and years - most women have 2 children or less nowadays and start having them much later. 100 years ago women would have missed years and years worth of periods through 6 - 10 pregnancies and upwards of 10 years breastfeeding.
In fact, there's compelling research to suggest that the increase in ovarian cancer is in part due to the damage that repeated ovulation causes to the ovaries. Birth control might then actually help to reduce the risk (though there's no conclusive evidence to support that theory as of yet).
I guess this is a long winded way of saying that anything that increases a woman's choices in regards to her body (as long as that choice is informed) is a good thing.
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