Image via WikipediaI read an article, a few months past, that touted a drug that could be used to stop menstrual bleeding for several months at a time, with a once or twice a year menstrual event. This was said to be a good thing, because it mimicks what happens during pregnancy – no menses for nine months, then bleeding for a time after childbirth.
To get women on board with this idea, the convenience of fewer periods was emphasized. But to get women to accept the idea of an occasional heavy period, and to get them over the idea that this drug might be harmful, mild scare tactics were used. The writer said that monthly menses were not the normal state of things before birth control became possible. Women were constantly pregnant and had fewer menses. So ladies let's all take this drug to avoid the dire consequences of monthly periods that women have been having since pre-history.
My thought at the time was that we should leave nature alone, and these new birth control drugs are very likely harmful. There have been plenty of new drugs that have been shown to have sloppy data about their safety and usefulness. I no longer trust the drug companies or the FDA to screen drugs for safety.
I just picked up a book in the library, White Coat Black Hat by Carl Elliott, about the spin-doctoring and biased test data the pharmaceutical companies provide. It is eye opening.
In the first chapter I came across a story of a birth control drug that worked great but caused occasional severe menstrual bleeding. The pharmaceutical company wanted a writer to put a positive spin on the bleeding. She refused, and for whatever reason, the company did not market this drug. I do not know if this is the same drug and the same company, but I find the idea appalling.
Apparently, making money off of women who do not want to get pregnant is not enough. The drug maker wants to make money off of all women by informing them of a false need they never knew they had, and then providing a drug to solve yet another female problem.
So what does this have to do with aging? Plenty – the elderly often are taking too many different drugs as it is.
The next time you see an advertisement for a new drug, or your doctor gives you samples of something new, be wary. Do some research of your own, or ask for an older drug with a proven track record. It's your health that is at stake.
To get women on board with this idea, the convenience of fewer periods was emphasized. But to get women to accept the idea of an occasional heavy period, and to get them over the idea that this drug might be harmful, mild scare tactics were used. The writer said that monthly menses were not the normal state of things before birth control became possible. Women were constantly pregnant and had fewer menses. So ladies let's all take this drug to avoid the dire consequences of monthly periods that women have been having since pre-history.
My thought at the time was that we should leave nature alone, and these new birth control drugs are very likely harmful. There have been plenty of new drugs that have been shown to have sloppy data about their safety and usefulness. I no longer trust the drug companies or the FDA to screen drugs for safety.
I just picked up a book in the library, White Coat Black Hat by Carl Elliott, about the spin-doctoring and biased test data the pharmaceutical companies provide. It is eye opening.
In the first chapter I came across a story of a birth control drug that worked great but caused occasional severe menstrual bleeding. The pharmaceutical company wanted a writer to put a positive spin on the bleeding. She refused, and for whatever reason, the company did not market this drug. I do not know if this is the same drug and the same company, but I find the idea appalling.
Apparently, making money off of women who do not want to get pregnant is not enough. The drug maker wants to make money off of all women by informing them of a false need they never knew they had, and then providing a drug to solve yet another female problem.
So what does this have to do with aging? Plenty – the elderly often are taking too many different drugs as it is.
The next time you see an advertisement for a new drug, or your doctor gives you samples of something new, be wary. Do some research of your own, or ask for an older drug with a proven track record. It's your health that is at stake.
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