Expert: DW - 8/4/2008

Question
Hi. I have two questions. I have been on Depo Provera since I was in my teens(I am in my mid twenties now) and it has been a blessing for me. I used to have heavy bleeding, cramps. It was awful! And I HATED having a period. It was such a bother and an inconvenience. I always thought it was SO unfair that it was women who had to deal with that crap. I have NEVER wanted children, so I have no concerns about possible difficulties with conceiving in the future.

The first question is, is a period actually necessary? I have read that there are birth control pills on the market now that suppress periods. I have also read that the medical community is divided on this.

The second question is is it normal to have some cramps a couple of days prior to the date you are due to get your injection? I always get crapms a few days before, but it is NOTHING compared to what I used to experience. Thanks.

Laurie

Answer
Hi Laurie,

I appreciate your questions. In my opinion, I think a period is a natural way that we, as women, were made. I think natural is always the best way to go. More and more people are going natural, organic, "green" if you want to call it that. Having your normal cycle is the way a woman's body works, to cleanse and renew each month. Anyway, perhaps that is why the medical community is divided on this issue. Most birth control methods are hormonal and put hormones into our body and is not natural. Depo provera is hormonal and I hope you are not having side effects from this.

Secondly, I don't know the answer to this question but I can do some research for you if you like. You can email me at DWooley97@yahoo.com if you want to contact me.

Sincerely,
Diane W.