NYP Brooklyn Methodist

COMMUNITY FORUM A W O M A N ' S H E A R T M A K I N G S A F E C H A N G E S S K I P P I N G P E R I O D S Do you have a comment or question about an article you read in thrive? Send us an email at AskThrive@nym.org, and let us know if we can print your name and submission. IN THE ARTICLE "CONTRACEPTION: A GUIDE TO THE LATEST OPTIONS," IN THE SPRING/SUMMER 2016 EDITION OF THRIVE, YOU DISCUSS MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONTRACEPTION. I HAVE FRIENDS WHO USE THEIR BIRTH CONTROL PILL CONTINUOUSLY SO THEY DO NOT MENSTRUATE AT ALL. IS THIS SAFE? IT SEEMS UNNATURAL TO SKIP YOUR PERIOD EVERY MONTH, BUT I LOVE THE IDEA OF NOT HAVING A PERIOD. TAYLOR L. Thanks for writing, Taylor. It is safe to go for months or even years without a period while using birth control. The idea that the uterus needs to be cleaned out monthly is a myth. The only reason you would need to have a period is if you were planning on getting pregnant, as a period is part of the way the body prepares for pregnancy. If you would prefer to skip your periods altogether, talk with your doctor about any changes you need to make in your medication. To skip your period on the pill, you need to take the medication continuously—instead of taking placebo pills and having a period, you go straight to the first pill in a new pack. Some pills are marketed specifically for skipping periods, but any monophasic birth control method can be used to skip periods. Monophasic pills and rings use the same mix of active hormones each week while multiphasic methods use different hormones from week to week. Be sure to discuss it with your doctor before changing the way you take your birth control. —Sanford Lederman, M.D., Chairman of Obstetrics/Gynecology at New York Methodist Hospital IN THE SPRING/SUMMER 2016 ISSUE OF THRIVE, THERE WAS A HELPFUL ARTICLE ABOUT CREATING A FALL-SAFE SPACE AT HOME ["MAINTAINING BALANCE," PAGE 24]. THANK YOU FOR INCLUDING THESE TIPS. MY 80-YEAR-OLD MOTHER, WHO HAS LIVED ALONE SINCE MY FATHER PASSED AWAY, HAS HAD A COUPLE OF FALLS THAT COULD HAVE ENDED BADLY. THE CHECKLIST INCLUDED IN THE ARTICLE WAS A GREAT STARTING POINT TO HELP HER ADAPT TO HER ENVIRONMENT, INCLUDING ADDING NIGHT-LIGHTS AND MAKING SURE SHE WEARS SHOES AROUND THE HOUSE. ANDI R. THANK YOU FOR INCLUDING INFORMATION IN THE SPRING/SUMMER 2016 ISSUE OF THRIVE ABOUT WOMEN'S HEART ATTACK SYMPTOMS ["ABOUT ANGINA," PAGE 12]. I HAD A HEART ATTACK AT AGE 65 AND HAD NO CHEST PAIN. I FELT SICK AND EXHAUSTED, ALMOST LIKE I HAD THE FLU, AND MY JAW WAS STIFF AND ACHY. I ALSO HAD TROUBLE CATCHING MY BREATH. WHEN I CALLED A FRIEND TO CANCEL PLANS BECAUSE OF HOW I WAS FEELING, I WAS SHOCKED WHEN SHE TOLD ME I SHOULD CALL 911. THANKS TO HER KNOWLEDGE, I GOT HELP AND TREATMENT QUICKLY FOR MY HEART ATTACK. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW THE WIDE RANGE OF SYMPTOMS THAT CAN OCCUR AND NEVER IGNORE ANY PROBLEM THAT COULD BE A HEART ATTACK. JUNE H. P H Y S I C I A N RE F E R R A L / / 718 . 49 9. C A RE 31 R E A D E R L E T T E R S

• Cover