For MudWomen Only: Seasonique

Subject: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 May 08 - 12:56 PM

I hope this will be a moderated thread, for women members' posts only.


Fresh from a TV commercial:

"Birth control, plus! Only four periods a year! Seasonique!"


Disturbed, outraged, cynical-- just a few of my immediate reactions.

Sure-- change my total brain chemistry, reproductive cycle, and wisdom cycle. Because we hate being women?!?!?

Your thoughts?

~Susan

Subject: RE: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 May 08 - 12:56 PM

(obviously move to BS section)

Subject: RE: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 06 May 08 - 03:17 PM

actually it seems perfectly practical to me-athletes have been doing for years to avoid having to perform at the wrong time of their menstrual cycle - chemistry's an odd thing don't you think?

Subject: RE: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 06 May 08 - 03:59 PM

Anyone using contraceptive pills is altering their cycle - and contraceptive pills have been prescribed for medical reasons to women who were experiencing (painful) difficulties with their normal cycle. (Admittedly the week's break in medication was to make the "cycle" appear more normal.) How is choosing frequency different from choosing whether to control fertility?

Kitty

Subject: RE: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 May 08 - 04:21 PM

Because it changes the woman's whole cycle. Changing the frequency is a whole other kettle of fish from chemically altering the fertility hormones..... it's an exponential change.

~S~

Subject: RE: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: GUEST,The Mole Catcher's unplugged Apprentice
Date: 06 May 08 - 04:42 PM

'The claims are utter nonsense, frankly"

you have the scientific evidence to back up your opinion of course?

Charlotte R

Subject: RE: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 06 May 08 - 05:34 PM

Well it's all happy and feminine for those who sail through their cycles with barely a blot or a bloat, but for those who associate their gender with yo-yoing weight, debilitating cramps, migraine headaches, fainting, blood pressure problems, bloating and water retention, extensive blood loss, irrational mood swings and depression for one week in four, despite there being no desire to procreate, it can only come as a blessed release.

LTS

Subject: RE: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 06 May 08 - 05:59 PM

This link might be useful for those who haven't heard of this product.

LTS

Subject: RE: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 May 08 - 06:06 PM

Thanks, Liz. This is one of the hastily-delivered cheerful messages in the commercial:

Keep in mind you're more likely to have bleeding and spotting between periods. This can be slight to a flow like a regular period and should decrease over time.

So..... they're gonna make it all go away, but not?

It's the same old story on all drug company advertising-- the "side effects" are exactly like the "condition" they purport to "treat."

~Susan

Subject: RE: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 06 May 08 - 07:00 PM

I find it hard to get excited about it one way or the other. It might be helpful for some people and others won't be interested so it will work itself out..hopefully it is safe..any hormonal interference is not to be done lightly. mg

Subject: RE: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: LilyFestre
Date: 06 May 08 - 09:22 PM

I can understand the need for birth control that regulates the cycle for women with PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome) who experience large clots, extremely heavy bleeding, cramps requiring IVs for relief, etc but I don't understand how eliminating the entire period works in a healthy manner. Those disclaimers are something, aren't they? I've seen this commercial and kind of wonder what the point of it all is.

    I think it's best to mess with Mother Nature as little as possible when it comes to altering hormones.

Michelle

Subject: RE: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 May 08 - 10:25 PM

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. . .

You're messing with chakras with this stuff. Things we in the West barely begin to understand. Doesn't mean they still aren't with us.

The monthly bloating and pain would probably be better solved by a good exercise routine and a really healthy diet, along with enough sleep at night. I found that eating a few bananas before and at the beginning of my period took care of cramps and such very well.

I find this kind of product downright creepy.

SRS

Subject: RE: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: Sorcha
Date: 06 May 08 - 10:47 PM

Sam, I don't think you belong in this thread. Women only.

I find it rather scary too, and those women athletes have found out years later the price they were paying.

If you mess with Mother Nature, there WILL be a price to pay.

What I don't understand is why we human females have to do this every 30 days. Dogs, every 6 mos, horses, once a year, elephants, presumabley every 2 years or longer...so why US?

I was just so happy to get rid of the damn thing once I was finshed procreating. There should be an OFF switch, perhaps in the belly button?

Subject: RE: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: Bee
Date: 06 May 08 - 10:50 PM

I think for some it will be a good choice. I'd have accepted some spotting, etc., when I was in my twenties and early thirties over the 10 day long very heavy periods.

As for being un-natural, it is un-natural for women to have monthly periods for decades like some of us do. Our reproductive system was evolved for pregnancy, a few months respite, then another pregnancy.

Subject: RE: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 May 08 - 10:52 PM

Who is "Sam?"

Success breeds success, so to speak. It lead to breeding success, probably to counter relatively long pregnancies.

SRS

Subject: RE: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: Mrrzy
Date: 07 May 08 - 09:07 AM

Considering that women are supposed to have only a period or two a year - because they are supposed to be pregnant a lot of the time - it's probably really good for you not to menstruate monthly year in and year out... and it sure beats being pregnant every year!

Subject: RE: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: Becca72
Date: 07 May 08 - 09:18 AM

As Liz stated above, I am one of those women who suffered from horrible periods. I was basically out of commission for several days and no amount of Pamprin or fruit or exercise did a damn bit of good...it runs in my family. I am 36 years old and DO NOT want children. I have never wanted children. Removal of my uterus seems harsher than the option I chose...Depo-Provera. I haven't had a period in over 8 years and its been wonderful. Whatever the price is to be paid later, I'll pay it for the relief I'm getting now.

Subject: RE: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: wysiwyg
Date: 07 May 08 - 11:26 AM

Certainly women should and, today, can make their own decisions about what is best for them. But these ads are targeted to all women, and feature the "type" of women to whom they are marketing this drug program and a mindset that what most of us were raised to see as a passage of life is a nuisance a modern girl doesn't have to put up with..... there's no image of relieving suffering, for instance, in the way this is being portrayed. And it concerns me to see young women being bombarded with the same kind of advertising that looks and feels like the way cigarettes are marketed to "snag" young new buyers.

This is not an ad campaign about medical choices; it's a campaign touting unexamined lifestyle choices and unexamined consequences.

Unfortunately all too many prescribing physicians comply very quickly with requests for new medications.

~Susan

Subject: RE: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: Irene M
Date: 07 May 08 - 02:57 PM

OK, so I haven't seen the ad, but if you are taking something that reduces the periods to four a year, how the hell do you know if you have missed one (ie are pregnant). A bit late for the morning after pill?

I never had regular periods. Fortunately for my sanity, I didn't have a sex life either, otherwise, I imagine a lot of anxiety would have occurred.
Becca, I am with you on the not wanting kids front. Over-rated, if you ask me.

..and who is Sam?
Did they get moderated off?

Subject: RE: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 07 May 08 - 05:22 PM

Irene - the thing is a birth control pill, so theoretically, you shouldn't get pregnant.

I'd be interested to see if trials have found it is counteracted by antibiotics or stomach upsets, like the more traditional oral contraceptives.

LTS

Subject: RE: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: Becca72
Date: 07 May 08 - 07:03 PM

I can't speak for the quarterly pill, but I know on Depo I had one doctor who made me take a pee test before every shot (which are also quarterly). My current doctor does not require a pee test every time, only if I do not get my shot during the 2 week window in which it should be administered. Of course, if I turn up preggers I'm going to have to change my religious beliefs and change my name to Mary...I use it for the benefit of no Red Menace.

Subject: RE: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 07 May 08 - 10:57 PM

I do know that one of the most wonderful thing about being older is ---- NO PERIODS.. sex or no sex, kids or no kids --- periods are yukky - or were for me. I would probably be too nervous to take a drug that interfered with the cycle but certainly couldn't find it in me to criticize those that do......my periods were ok - ish -- I just hated them.

Subject: RE: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: GUEST,dianavan
Date: 08 May 08 - 12:36 AM

Again, its personal choice but...

I'd be very careful if you plan to have children in the future.

Subject: RE: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 08 May 08 - 12:50 AM

dianavan -- I think people who have posted pro this topic have been pretty clear chlldren are not in the cards for them.........

Subject: RE: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: freda underhill
Date: 08 May 08 - 02:59 AM

There is a great long term solution that is natural, permanent and liberating. you just have to be very patient..

freda

Subject: RE: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 May 08 - 09:25 AM

I don't think anyone on this thread has criticized anyone else in this thread.... that certainly is not MY intention and I don't think it's anyone else's, either.

The drug company and advertising people, yes, but MudWomen? No.

~Susan

Subject: RE: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: Jeri
Date: 08 May 08 - 09:54 AM

One question I'd have would be if the drug prevents ovulation 2/3 of the time it would normally occur and if menopause happens when your body runs out of eggs, would that mean you'd quit having periods and not experience menopause until after you're 120 or so? And if the estrogen keeps flowing all that time, how will it affect mortality?

Guess they probably haven't done studies on THAT stuff yet.

Subject: RE: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 May 08 - 11:10 AM

Oh, wooooowwwwwwwwwwww............. yeaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh............

~S~

Subject: RE: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 08 May 08 - 12:48 PM

BUT... if we don't experience the menopause, that will release us from the sudden weight gain, water retention, night sweats, hot flashes, osteoporosis related to lack of estrogen, mood swings and homicidal tendencies that a lot of women get won't it?

Works for me....

LTS - rapidly hurtling towards that 'special age'.

Subject: RE: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 08 May 08 - 01:19 PM

Sorry, menopause is not based on the eggs being used up. If you're on hormonal controls of menstruation, no doubt your doctor will recommend taking you off when you reach the appropriate age, and you'll get to go through all the fun.

~ Becky in Tucson
at an age when that "certain age" is coming in view...

Subject: RE: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: Irene M
Date: 08 May 08 - 02:36 PM

Liz, it may be a birth control pill, but what if it makes you mildly depressed, so you take St John's wort for the depression, that interferes with the pill and you get pregnant? You could be weeks down the line before you realised why you were dazed and confused (and even more depressed!).
Thank God for celibacy. (Which will start a run of nun jokes, I suppose.)

Subject: RE: For MudWomen Only: Seasonique
From: SINSULL
Date: 08 May 08 - 05:03 PM

I am still recovering from the "Have A Happy Period" ads. I suffered from chronic anemia from disgusting, painful periods that left me ill after 21 days of flow. I had a D&C and was told I wouldn't have a period that month - 2 days later it started and I walked into the OBGYN's office and announced "Either you take it out or I will". She could not believe my condition and set a date on the spot.
Wish I had had a hysterechtomy at 12.