Comments on: Patriarchy, Pills And PMS

By: All Seasons Health

All Seasons Health — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 19:21:04 +0000

REDUCING PRE-MENSTRUAL SYNDROME (PMS)
Once a month, millions of women experience the unpleasant and disruptive effects of their hormonal cycles. Studies show women with more severe PMS have unusually low levels of certain nutrients, so many health experts urge a nutritional approach.
Three key factors increase the severity of PMS - poor nutrition, lack of exercise and stress. By improving the quality of foods, eating less of certain foods, exercising regularly, and learning to reduce stress, women can feel better all month.
Five steps can reduce the severity of PMS. Results are cumulative. Many of these recommendations are the same as those in the program for weight control and lowering cholesterol.
Enjoy fresh, natural foods.
Eat more fresh fish and poultry, whole grains, nuts, fresh fruits, vegetables. Drink plenty of water, herb teas and fruit juices. Prepare food simply, using a
Avoid certain foods and drugs.
Cut down or avoid salt, sugar, white flour, convenience foods full of chemicals, dairy products and red meat, chocolate, soft drinks and coffee. Studies show women with PMS consume more of these foods than women who do not. Cigarettes and coffee can deplete your body of nutrients and aggravate PMS.
Supplement with key vitamins and minerals.
Many clinics recommend foods or supplements rich in B-complex, magnesium, zinc, beta carotene, GLA and other vitamins, minerals and herbs. By containing many of these nutrients, Spirulina is useful in a PMS reducing plan, and several PMS supplements contain Spirulina.
Exercise.
Vigorous activity will increase your blood flow, oxygenate tissues, and help lift depression and anxiety.
Discover the art of relaxation.
Stress makes PMS worse. Create a more relaxing environment. Learn to let go through muscle relaxation, talking to friends, or meditation.

By: Harish

Harish — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 18:42:10 +0000

Hey, the doctor just wanted to help out some women who wanted relief from any inconvenience caused due to periods..I wonder why you have to tar all men with your big black brush for that..seems you really dislike men..’testosterone causes violence’. Interesting! You forgot that very often (in fact more often than it causes violence..much more often), testosterone also builds skyscrapers, ships and puts people on the moon (I’m scared to say ‘men on the moon’)! Take a chill pill instead of reading sinister designs of ‘male doctors wanting to control women’s bodies’ where none exist.

By: fred

fred — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 03:43:42 +0000

and yet you’ll contracept…poisoning your fertility…

By: Priya Florence Shah

Priya Florence Shah — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 19:55:15 +0000

Oh I DO consider women who have pain - I’ve suffered from it since my teens. It lays me low for days.

But, I have worked in the field of science and, like Sorab here, I question the wisdom of scientists and those who choose to treat a women’s natural biological functions like a disease, and in so doing, condemn future generations of women to believing that menstruation is unnecessary and should be eliminated from the human experience.

That research money, in my opinion, could have been spent on researching nutritional or natural ways to alleviate the symptoms of these disorders. Eliminating menstruation is not a rational way to go about it because of the sociological and psychological implications in younger women.

As a scientist, and a healer, I have learned that just because something CAN be done does not mean it SHOULD be done. It’s time that scientists and medical professionals considered the social and psychological implications of their actions.

By: FemmePhilosopher

FemmePhilosopher — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 08:07:45 +0000

I can’t believe what I am reading! Your opinion is obviously not considering women who suffer real pain from their menstrual cycle. I don’t mean simply just PMS or a slight case of the cramps, I suffer from a endometriosis, a condition that causes me great amounts of pain, not only through my menstrual cycle but for weeks after, resulting in almost constant extreme period pain. This pill to stop periods is empowering for me, I can improve my quality of life. There are many women who feel the same, and it has nothing to do with men. My options are endure terrible and unbearable pain, have a hysterectomy or take this pill so I can take control over my life again.
Itâ€™s an actual fact that women have more menstrual cycles in modern times than we are supposed too. In ancient times women on average had more children, meaning they had fewer menstrual cycles and so that â€˜time to retreat to a special place where she would be attended, bathed and nurtured by other womenâ€™ was not very often and certainly not as wonderful as it might sound today. Another fact is that birth control has always been controlled by men, up until only very recently, the last 40 years, have women been able to choose contraceptives, it was patriarchy that stopped women making that choice for themselves and it will be misinformed women such as yourself who discourage women from making that decision today.

By: Suman

Suman — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 08:28:12 +0000

I disagree with the view that one would be tampering with Nature or women’s feminity in altering this aspect of a woman’s health! If Science can alter the way a woman becomes a mother why not do away with something when you dont need it? I am sure methods to alter periods would be used only after they are proven to be safe! Imagine, not having to count days and think about dates before planning for things like travel etc! Feminity doesnt lie in going thru pain every month!

By: Priya Florence Shah

Priya Florence Shah — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 06:25:57 +0000

Thanks for your comments, people.

By: Sorab Dalal

Sorab Dalal — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 17:44:19 +0000

I could not agree more. Menstruation is a natural part of the cycle and while it can be painful for some women, I don’t think it is clear what the long term effects of getting rid of a menstrual cycle could be. I am a scientist and I think that sometimes some of my colleagues tend to overstate their case especially when it is something that is a potential money maker
Good article, keep it up

By: Mind Mart

Mind Mart — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 04:02:53 +0000

Patriarchy or mysoginism?

By: Mind Mart

Mind Mart — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 03:58:37 +0000

Menstrual Cessation…

Why would anyone want to have a period if that means heavy bleeding, clotting, and pain every month for 30 years? Well, menstruation and painful periods are two different subjects, but marketing is targeting menstruation as a problem in general.
A few …