Challenging Ideas on Women’s Cycles

MENSTRUATION . . .

A THING OF THE PAST?

Produced by ABC News

Discovery Health Channel

June 1, 6-7 p.m. and 9-10 p.m.

This hourlong special explores the question of whether women really need to have a menstrual period each month. The topic has only recently been discussed in medical circles, and many women might be unaware that this is a legitimate issue.

Although “Menstruation . . . A Thing of the Past?” may enlighten viewers, it does not provide an in-depth look at the detailed scientific and medical questions at stake. It does give viewers a good sense of why some doctors are beginning to question the need for monthly periods and what a woman should consider before making a decision to manipulate her menstrual cycle.

The program spends considerable time discussing a historical view of menstruation and points out that our female ancestors typically had many children and breast-fed for many months. Therefore, they had far fewer periods during their lives than modern women. A segment of the program is also spent on a discussion of oral contraceptives and how they have affected women’s views on menstruation. The pill is designed to mimic a woman’s natural cycle.

The most interesting part of the program is host Juju Chang’s interviews with doctors on whether it’s OK for women to take the pill continuously to reduce the number of periods. Some viewers may be surprised to learn that this is a common and accepted practice endorsed by many gynecologists.

The discussion on just how menstruation hurts or helps women’s health is much less thorough. Chang points out that periods are linked to several health problems, such as endometriosis, fibroids, even ovarian cancer. But it is less clear how reducing menstruation will actually benefit women other than freeing them from the nuisance of frequent periods. Experts correctly point out that there are no long-term studies showing the effects of taking continuous oral contraceptives to reduce menstruation.

While many women might prefer to have less frequent periods, it may be troubling to some viewers to see menstruation depicted in a negative light throughout the program. In her introduction, Chang describes it as “a constant source of misery.” There is no suggestion that better treatments for menstrual problems and healthier attitudes about the nature of menstruation might go a long way toward making it more tolerable in our society.