Among the existing options the first and natural option is of course pregnancy and motherhood. Proper nursing stops the menstrual cycles in a healthy and natural way. After childbirth there is a constant secretion of Prolactin in the mother's body. But later, the hormone's level decreases and becomes dependent on regular baby-nursing. Studies found that interruption of nursing during the night, for a period longer than two hours brings to a decrease in Prolactin and stimulates a new ovulation cycle. Nursing is a perfect and healthy solution for mothers. Unfortunately, reality shows that this natural means has vanished today, hence it is first recommended to read the book "The Continuum Concept" written by Jean Liedloff dealing with rediscovering natural motherhood.
If we shall examine all the other available contraceptives for women today, we can reject the use of most of them. For this purpose only we shall divide the contraceptives into three separate groups:
- Mechanical contraceptives (do not contain hormones), allow menstruation.
- Hormonal contraceptives based on derivatives and combinations of Estrogen.
- Hormonal contraceptives based on Progesterone derivatives.
The first group is irrelevant for stopping the menstrual cycles.
The second group includes the regular pills, containing various dosages of Estrogen and sometimes a little Progesterone. Estrogen is a hormone causing growth of the breast and womb tissues in preparation for pregnancy. Using Estrogen prevents ovulation, but results in the building of a tissue rich in blood vessels in the womb wall. Due to this phenomenon it is required to have a break between one package of pills to the next, this break results in the monthly bleeding. Using these pills has been proven to be harmful since it raises the risk for breast cancer.
The third group includes contraceptives based on derivatives of the hormone Progesterone.
Progesterone is secreted from the ovary when ovulation occurs, and it signals the body there is pregnancy. The secretion of the hormone during a real pregnancy causes a planned and natural neutralization of the menstrual feedback.
Progesterone based contraceptives contain varied dosages of the hormone, some of them allow menstruation. The reason for this is the belief that the monthly ovulation is a natural process and it is dangerous to stop it.
There are four contraceptives based on Progesterone derivatives approved for use in Israel, and we shall discuss them according to their ascending order of efficiency:
Femulen – This is a daily pill, containing a low dosage of Progesterone, the hormone that causes the thickening of the womb wall, thus preventing implantation of the fertilized egg. The manufacturer reports that the pill – does not stop ovulation – therefore the Femulen pills are not suitable for women who wish to avoid infertile ovulations.
Mirena – This is an Intrauterine Device releasing Progesterone, causing thickening of the womb wall and preventing implantation of a fertilized egg. The hormone prevents bleeding from the womb tissue, but the manufacturer states that the IUD does not stop ovulation – therefore Mirena is not suitable for women who wish to avoid infertile ovulations.
Norplant – This is another Progesterone based contraceptive, and a small operation is needed for placing it and for removing it. Norplant is implanted under the skin of the arm and affects the ovaries and the womb. It stops ovulation and bleeding. This contraceptive works between two to five years, depending on the desired period of time. The advantage and disadvantage of Norplant is the fact that a long term decision is needed before starting to use it.
Depo-Provera – this is an intramuscular injection for preventing pregnancy that contains progesterone and stops ovulation. Progesterone strengthens the womb walls and prevents the bleeding. In order of stopping the menstrual cycle, an injection in the buttocks area (close to the target area) should be taken every three months. The manufacturer reports a stop of the menstrual bleeding for all users within one year since starting to use the products.
An important warning from the manufacturer: an extended usage of the product might damage the density of the bone tissue. This warning should be taken seriously and periodic (bone mass) tests should be taken according to the doctor's recommendations.
The Depo-Provera injection was inevitably selected here. There is no better and available substitute in our current health-basket. The reason for this choice: all the new solutions (Melatonin, Prolactin and hormonal blockers) are tested in controlled studies. The process of testing and approving a new drug is very strict and might extend over a period of many years; meanwhile women's biological clock (determined by the existence of menstruation) continues to tick unnecessarily. |
