Preserve Your Memory with Estrogen?
Reports today indicate that in tests of visual memory, post-menopausal
women taking estrogen supplements performed better than those who didn't,
possibly meaning that the hormone could retard or prevent memory loss occurring
naturally or pathologically with age.
You'll recall that estrogen has also been shown to reduce
rates of heart attack in post-menopausal women, but to probably increase chances of breast cancer. In general, women are much more likely to die of heart disease than
breast cancer, contrary to what many women believe.
Estrogen may also be causing the declining sperm
production noted in men of many countries. Many man-made substances
contain forms of estrogen, and when these products are discarded, estrogen
can leach into the water and food supply. This is a busy field of research,
and an important one.
Women Can Abort Earlier at Planned Parenthood
At 23 Planned Parenthood clinics around the country, doctors are aborting
women as soon as eight days after conception
using a method made possible by off-the-shelf pregnancy detector kits, which
allow very early determination. This gives women yet another method to end
an unwanted pregnancy - at eight days, the embryo is about the size of a
pin head - and before a missed menstrual period would indicate the possibility
of conception.
The New York Times reported Sunday that Dr. Jerry Edwards, medical director
of Houston and southeast Texas for Planned Parenthood, developed the technique
employing a hand-held syringe, not the more expensive
and noisy electrical vacuum pump. An article announcing the technique
appears in the Journal
of the American Medical Association for December. (See also JAMA's Women's Health Information
Center.)
In an interview on National Public Radio today, Dr. Edwards said that
the syringe is about the 60 cubic centimeter size, and "looks
like a turkey baster," an analogy just great for this festive
season.
Edwards said that about 15% of patients ask for no sedation, but doctors
use a local anesthetic. He said patients experience about the same amount
of pain as in the pump approach.
The drug RU-486, Edwards said, requires two doses several days apart,
and creates an artificial miscarriage; it requires surgery in 5-10% of the
cases. The American Food and Drug Administration has not approved it.
This newest kind of intervention can be quick, avoiding the somewhat
long wait before abortion common in some other approaches. Edwards
said that this long wait can be torture for many women.
Almost a year ago, the FDA approved the "morning-after" pill
as an abortion device, an oral contraceptive taken up to 72 hours after
unprotected intercourse.
A doctor can also insert a Copper-T device into a woman's uterus up
to a week after unprotected sex to prevent a pregnancy from continuing.
Women can use this method as a long-term contraceptive by leaving it in
the uterus.
Look at the patent for a menstrual suction
"gun." It's similar to devices used by some women's groups
to abort members who want to end a suspected pregnancy.
The Beat Goes On: Instead vs. The Keeper
The telegraph key tapped this missive seconds ago:
My experience with Instead [menstrual cup] was not a positive one,
although I applaud the product and their marketing strategies, assuming
that it must work OK for some folks. I experienced major leaking that seemed
to be precipitated by just about anything (a full bladder, gas, an awkward
sitting position, etc). I believe Instead was inserted properly because
everything would be fine for the first couple of hours. The non-biodegradability
is a tough issue for me to accept, also.
My experience with The Keeper thus far (one cycle) has been a positive
one. Insertion was not difficult. I had to shorten the "tail"
considerably for comfort. Clearly, I need to develop better removal skills,
but it was not too messy even as a novice. I had a small leaking incident
once, but I had neglected to partially rotate the cup to develop a seal.
I intend to continue using The Keeper.
See also the other comments in this Battle
of the Menstrual Cups!
Calling All Menstrual Painters, I!
A recent visitor to the museum left this request:
I am creating a show on menstruation and menopause, and looking for
work in all media. It can be from a spiritual, cultural, personal, or historical
perspective.
The show runs 9 - 19 April 1998 at the Pentucket Arts Center, Haverhill,
Massachusetts (U.S.A.).
As soon as you can, contact Amy Shutt, Bradford College, Box 511, Bradford,
MA 01835 (U.S.A.). Phone: (978) 469-1323, or e-mail: ashutt@bnet.bradford.edu
I need your work or proposals as soon as possible!
Calling All Menstrual Painters, II!
And here's another request:
Hi, I'm a student from Australia trying to contact some feminist
artists who use menstrual blood as a medium - are you able to help me out?
It would be much appreciated.
© 1998 Harry Finley. It is illegal to
reproduce or distribute any of the work on this Web site in any manner or
medium without written permission of the author. Please report suspected
violations to hfinley@mum.org