[at-l] serious "women's" issues plus question

[shane@theplacewithnoname.com (Shane Steinkamp)]

> The last long hike I was on, 3 out of the 4 of us were stopping
> every few miles to
> attend to nearly raw chafing.
> I was cruising along happily with my spandex bike shorts under my
> swimming trunks.

Didn't we have a discussion of kilts a few weeks back...?

> Some time back, I heard a report which said that some doctors of
> female athletes were
> prescribing birth control pills to eliminate menstruation during
> the training/ event
> months.  The questions were raised that; A) menstruation was
> necessary to avoid risk
> factors for uterine cancer or other disease. (i.e.. not
> menstruating would mean an
> accumulation of uterine tissue which would normally be expelled
> which might then be a
> risk factor) and B) What chemical / hormonal problems might be
> heightened due to the
> continual dosage from the pills?

Taking birth control pills can lessen the severity of menstruation but does
not necessarily preclude the occurrence of menstruation.  My wife has taken
BC for twenty years (with the exception of the time she conceived and
carried our daughter) with no apparent problems.

> What are your opinions on thru-hiking without ever having a
> menstrual cycle?  Would
> you be concerned about potential and / or unknown risks from the
> medication?  Would
> you be concerned about biological effects of not menstruating.

Many serious women athletes (runners, etc) will often skip their cycles,
sometimes for many months.  This is a biological fact that has often been
noted.  These women seem to suffer no ill effect.

> I'm asking for two reasons.  First, I'm curious, Second, My
> Wife's opinion and mine
> differ so I'd like to know if mine is the "male" viewpoint and
> her's is the "female",
> or if there's no sexual bias, just opinions.

Some women do not respond well to BC pills.  It really is up to your wife,
and a decision she should make with the help of her GYN.

Shane