Menstruation And Menopause

 

Women's Health

 

We support the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research in the position that a woman?s menstrual cycle is an important part of a woman's reproductive health; because of this, more women-centered perspectives in research, policy-making, and advocacy are needed.

The SMCR has additional position statements on various topics, including menstrual suppression and hormone replacement therapy for menopause. Queries to the site can be used to locate experts on various issues pertaining to the menstrual cycle, including so-called Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and issues with birth control.
 

Menopause and Politics of Treatment

 

We agree with the National Women's Health Network (NWHN) that women deserve accurate information about menopause, including what treatments might be unproven, unnecessary, or dangerous.

The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) publishes a variety of position statements about clinical issues in menopause treatment and research. The companion website to Our Bodies, Ourselves has online excerpts available of the new book Our Bodies, Ourselves: Menopause, including a section on the medicalization of menopause.
 

Facts for Advocates

 

The NAMS makes available a useful short paper about menopause and charts about postmenopausal hormone therapy. The NWHN provides fact sheets about menstrual suppression, hormone therapy for menopause and related topics, as does the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals. The Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research (CeMCOR) gives information on the four reproductive life stages for women, including adolescence, premenopause, perimenopause, and menopause.