Conclusion

Abstract Recurrent menstruation is unnecessary and can be harmful to the health of women. It is a needless loss of blood. Menstruation is responsible for aggravating an array of menstrual cycle–related medical disorders and is the cause of serious diseases such as premenstrual syndrome and endometriosis. Menstruation exacerbates anemia, which afflicts millions of women around the world. Long menstruation-free periods, such as occur during pregnancy and breast-feeding, alleviate menstrual cycle–related diseases. Freeing women of menstruation significantly reduces the risk of life-threatening disease such as ovarian and uterine (endometrial) cancers. The longer a woman is not menstruating, the greater the benefit. Freedom from menstruation can be achieved by the use of long-acting contraceptives or continuous use of the oral contraceptive pill. Under proper medical supervision, it can also be attained through natural means such as a conscientious regimen of rigorous physical exercise. Except for anemia, which has been known since the time of Hippocrates, the most debilitating consequences of repeated menstruation were recognized only in the twentieth century. Premenstrual tension undoubtedly existed in the past, but its association with menstruation itself was not recognized. Women with PMS were often considered witches or mentally disturbed. Some of these unfortunate women were confined to insane asylums or even sentenced to be burned at the stake.