h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Unfortunately it is hard enough for most people to learn basic stress management and pain relief through meditation. To acheive the level of physiological control to halt mestruation would take years of intense study and parctice, far more effort than the average person is able or willing to put forth when there are drugs becoming available that can often acheive the same results (how safe they are for long term use remains to be seen). This is of course leaving aside the fact that in western medicine belief in, and willingness to try such techniques is noticeably lacking.

Surely it would be unhealthy to do it anyway?

Not in some cases. I need to take massive supplements to counteract the blood loss every month. For most of my life I was severely anemic, and while I did eventually find a way to counteract this many women do not. That is leaving aside the massive amounts of pain medication (and hospitalization a few times) that I sometimes have to take to counteract severe cramps. There are also women out there for whom it is not safe to bear a child. Should they be relegated to having to choose beween abstinence, surgery, and chancy birth control methods that leave the possiblitly of a pregnancy? There is also the fact that many women simply do not wish to bear children and the choices we have available are limited at this point in time. An option to turn the whole cycle off without side effects would be a real boon for many women.

I mean, like, you would have to stop the process from starting right back to the point where the body prepares the womb for a baby.
This is surely very difficult.
If you did not stop this process, but stopped the body shedding the red stuff, then you would still produce more each month and be full of it.
I have realiused what I have put and think I may have been talking crap.
I apologise for this.

For me, my sense of femininity is linked with my cyclic nature, and I would feel less...'complete'... without the tides of my hormones.

What about the possibility that the desire to stop the menstrual cycle entirely is aspiring to becoming more masculine? Is this desire to be rid of 'the curse' a symptom of a more profound denial of our cyclic, feminine nature? Of a desire to be rid of our most profound difference??

I don't know the answers to these questions, as I am just like any other woman trying to find her way in this (somewhat overbearing masculinized war-mongering world).



Some women wish, for whatever reason, to not bear children. There are those that suffer from menstrual disorders that cause pain and suffering. Of course women should be entitled and empowered to choose what to do with their own bodies.
It's just my concern that our attitudes towards our bodies, our menstrual cycles, our reproductive organs can sometimes not be entirely healthy - the denial of our 'difference' to men can sometimes lead to a feeling of alienation from ourselves, and all the other host of negative associations that stem from that, eg guilt, shame etc.


OK, I'll get off my soapbox now.

You make some valid points. In all honesty I cannot say that some unfortunate events in my past have not contributed to my desire to be rid of the whole cycle. While I don't really feel that I am trying to be more masculine there is no doubt that I am more of a "tomboy". At the same time I am very proud of what makes me different from my male companions. I also know that the pain and related medical problems would make an "off" switch a great boon to me. I have one child and my desire to never have another stems mostly from the fact that autism has some genetic roots and I cannot justify the possibility that another child of mine would have to go through the same frustration and trials that my son is currently facing. The rub here is that, other than complete abstinence there is no foolproof method of birth control available that does not involve removing some part of the reproductive system. I would be just as content with a foolproof method of birth control and a cure for the anemia and pain as I would be with an off switch for the mensrual cycle (although the money saved from sanitary supplies would pay for a new game system ;-P).

THease are the same guys who said that since gold dosent rust if you drink it you will become immortal

Hi sithkael

Have you tried any complentary medicine for your menstrual pain and anemia? I'm only asking as this is one area that traditional Chinese medicine can really help with. A friend of mine had suffered from endometriosis for many years, and after a few months of Chinese herbs, she is now pain free. Some of the herbs used can 'build the blood', which will help with anemia.

As your choice is to not have any more children, I guess having your tubes tied would be the least invasive surgical option for permanant birth control?

Maybe it's time to start working out the instructions for stopping the menstrual cycle that the ancient Chinese sages advised....
If you find out how, can you let me know please?!

Hi Leopardskinfynn.
My sister suffers from endometriosis and is waiting for yet another operation.
In the mean time she is still sufering every month.
Do you know what herbs your friend took?
I would appreciate any info you may have that could help my sister.

Thanks

aManda

I managed to get the anemia under control with massive doses of vitamin b-12 (on the order of 10,000 mcg daily) the only side effect so far is the occasional mild nosebleed. I have found that a slightly higher dose of pain medication and intense meditaion work well for the pain. So does keeping stress to a bearable limit and making sure my diet is at least somewhat balanced.


Two factors have made having my tubes tied unfeasable--my insurance won't cover it for another 5 years (apparantly I am not yet mature enough to know that I never wish to have another child in their eyes) and I have really odd reactions to any and all drugs, making any surgury a frightening prospect for me. It also has a small failure rate and the increased chance of eptopic pregancy.

Hi aManda

It's really quite difficult to diagnose and prescribe herbs without seeing the client, so I'd advise your sister to see an acupuncturist/Chinese herbalist for her endometriosis. If the cost is prohibitive, then your sister might like to find a student acupuncture clinic where she could receive treatment at a low cost by a third year student under the supervision of their qualified teachers.

This link might help:
http://www.acupuncture.org.uk/


There are some herbs that spring immediately to mind, but it's really best for your sis to have a full case history taken, her pulses measured and her tongue (of all things!) examined, just in case the herbs that I'm thinking of are not appropriate for your sister's particular constitution.


Here are some general recommendations:

Avoid meats, dairy, wheat and eggs. (Oestrogenic)
Caffeine contains theobromine and is found in coffee, tea and chocolate; as they also produce extra oestrogen it is important to cut this out of the diet too.

Maintain a good diet of wholegrains, vegetables and plenty of citrus fruit.

Warm castor oil packs over the abdomen are supposed to be good at regulating and cleansing the reproductive organs, so maybe that's worth trying? I think she'd have to be using the pack several times a week for an hour or more at a time, not just when she's bleeding.
This might help:http://freespace.virgin.net/cayce.walsh/remedies1.htm


Feel free to drop by my personal space if you want to chat more specifically about herbs.

LSF

Thank you very much.
I will show her what you have put and give her the links.

Thanks

I'm sorry to hear that your insurance wont cover the operation sithkael. So, if you don't mind me asking, what method of birth control do you use at the moment?

Have you tried using any herbs for your anemia?

The Chinese herb Dong Quai (Angelica Sinensis) is a good herb to help 'build the blood', and therefore regulate the menstrual cycle. It promotes blood circulation to the uterus, alleviates pain, and is moistening to uterus and skin. This herb is also anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, analgesic, and hypertensive. It circulates blood in the uterus helping to reduce clots, fibroids, and uterine masses. Vitamin E uptake in the body is also enhanced by the use of this herb.
If you do decide to use this herb, DO NOT USE WHILE BLEEDING, as it's action could cause you to bleed more.
http://www.holistic-online.com/Remedies/anemia.htm
http://www.naturalhealthnotebook.com/Herbs/Latin_Herbs/Genus-A/Angelica_sinensis.htm



Vitex Agnus Castus (Chaste Berry) may also be a good herb to use. This herb improves the oestrogen-to-progesterone ratio in your body by enhancing the production of progesterone during the second half of your menstrual cycle. This helps limit the amount of blood you lose during menstruation.

http://www.holistic-online.com/Herbal-Med/_Herbs/h211.htm

LSF

You're welcome aManda!

I hope it is of some help.

Right now involuntary abstinence ;-P. Usually though I use both condoms and the pill. I think I have tried just about every herb out there--the best thing for me seems to be what I am on right now, supliments and a careful diet. As far as the insurance goes, well it seems to be common here for the simple reason that the procedeure is so difficult to reverse that they want to make very sure that you know what you are asking before they pay for it. So they set age limits. Bah. Hence my wish for a simple, side effect free way to turn the whole ovulation cycle off and on at will.