Guest Author - Sharon Bejin

Since early teenage years most women have had to deal with periods - menstruation. Monthly periods, twelve times a year. By the age of fifty, the average woman has had over 450 periods. It would be safe to say that middle-aged women could call themselves professionals at handling this female-only cycle.

At times, I have thought how great it would be to not have to deal with the problems associated with periods and everything that comes with them: bleeding, cramping, migraines, swollen breasts, tampons, pads, and Midol. Who could blame any woman for growing tired of having each month interrupted by this unwelcome friend?

Well, wishing our periods would go away is a waste of time and until we are completely through menopause our periods are here to stay. Having periods is necessary and happens naturally. It is normal for the body to release an egg and the endometrium lining each month. The inner lining of the uterus is called the endometrium. If a woman is pregnant, the endometrium thickens. If a woman is not pregnant, her body sheds the uterine lining during menstruation.

If a woman does not shed the endometrium lining normally, she may begin to suffer from endometriosis. Endometriosis happens when the lining doesn’t shed and begins to grow on the uterine wall, creating scar tissue and causing pain. Some women take birth control pills to limit their periods so this lining is not shed monthly. Taking birth control can limit their periods to four times a year or not at all to avoid endometriosis. This is done by getting a hormone shot.

Another reason some woman don't have periods is due to medical problems that should be addressed. Stress, obesity, and medications can also contribute to absence of periods. For women who don’t have regular periods or have heavy bleeding, their physician may recommend going on the birth control pill. The pill will help to regulate periods.

Every women experiences menstruation for way too many years, as far as convenience goes. For some, their period is not a problem. For others, their period comes with dread. By the time women hit menopause, this new phase will be welcome and most women will appreciate not having to have a period anymore.