No More Periods?: The Risks of Menstrual Suppression and Other Cutting-Edge Issues About Hormones and Women's Health (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "The Boston Globe article describes Dr. Anderson as "one of the leaders of the anti-period movement, overseeing a nationwide test of a form of birth-control..." (more)
Key Phrases: menstrual suppression, nonstop use, generation pills, United States, Women's Health Initiative, Humanpapilloma Virus (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

No More Periods?

Observing the radical shift in the medical community toward menstrual suppression as a viable option in women s health, Dr. Rako sees not only a vast information gap for women, but a serious health crisis on the horizon. Drug companies and many health professionals are promoting the idea that it is okay, even preferable, for women to forgo their periods if they are not trying to get pregnant, and many women, when faced with the choice, are seriously considering that option. But what isn t being discussed enough are the hazards of such suppression, risks that include osteoporosis, heart attacks, strokes, and cancer.

In No More Periods? Dr. Rako delves into the whys, hows, and musts of women s gynecological health and takes a reasoned stand for believing that nature and our bodies have an intelligence about this critical issue. This book is a call to sanity from a woman who has become known as a devout defender of women s health rights.


"Tampering with the hormonal climate of healthy menstruating women, including teenage girls whose lives stretch ahead for decades, for the purpose of doing away with their periods is, in a word, reckless. Manipulating women s hormonal chemistry for the purpose of menstrual suppression threatens to be the largest uncontrolled experiment in the history of medical science. Hands down.

What the media has not conveyed, what the public has not heard, what too few health professionals know, and what every woman and her doctor must know about the hazards of menstrual suppression deserves a voice. I am determined that it will have one." Susan Rako, M.D.

From the Inside Flap

No More Periods?

Observing the radical shift in the medical community toward menstrual suppression as a viable option in women?s health, Dr. Rako sees not only a vast information gap for women, but a serious health crisis on the horizon. Drug companies and many health professionals are promoting the idea that it is okay, even preferable, for women to forgo their periods if they are not trying to get pregnant, and many women, when faced with the choice, are seriously considering that option. But what isn?t being discussed enough are the hazards of such suppression, risks that include osteoporosis, heart attacks, strokes, and cancer.

In No More Periods? Dr. Rako delves into the whys, hows, and musts of women?s gynecological health and takes a reasoned stand for believing that nature and our bodies have an intelligence about this critical issue. This book is a call to sanity from a woman who has become known as a devout defender of women?s health rights.


"Tampering with the hormonal climate of healthy menstruating women, including teenage girls whose lives stretch ahead for decades, for the purpose of doing away with their periods is, in a word, reckless. Manipulating women?s hormonal chemistry for the purpose of menstrual suppression threatens to be the largest uncontrolled experiment in the history of medical science. Hands down.

What the media has not conveyed, what the public has not heard, what too few health professionals know, and what every woman and her doctor must know about the hazards of menstrual suppression deserves a voice. I am determined that it will have one."?Susan Rako, M.D.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Harmony; 1st edition (April 22, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400045037
• ISBN-13: 978-1400045037
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,337,645 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Got me worried.... but without cause., September 3, 2005

By	Althea A. Morin "althea" (new york, ny USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you are interested in one woman's personal opinion, feel free to read this book. But if you are looking for actual medical facts regarding a woman's health, supported by scientific studies; you won't find any here.
Dr. Rako makes a lot of claims in this book, but doesn't have anything to back up those claims. Her reasoning seems to be, "periods are NATURAL and a part of woman's FEMINITY, so choosing not to have them is BAD."
At least she admits in the first chapter that many well-educated medical professionals DISAGREE with her personal opinion.

12 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Insightful, June 10, 2003

By	simone hines (USA) - See all my reviews

I would have to disagree with the other reviewer. This book was a WEALTH of information! More and more doctors are touting the use of birth control pills and the cessation of our periods as an answer to many of our gynecological ills. After reading Susan's book--as well as doing my own independent research-- I would have to agree with many of her facts. These are not just one woman's opinions, they are indeed FACTS, that are SUPPORTED--if you care to learn the truth for yourself. I think that this book is a treasure for any woman who wants to take control of her health--and doesn't mistakenly believe that her doctor 'knows all'. A definite read. Enlightening!

13 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Author Writes: Women -- Read and decide for yourselves., June 7, 2003

By	Susan Rako, M.D. (Newton, MA USA) - See all my reviews

The pharmaceutical industry is developing drugs to do away with the menstrual cycles of healthy women. The market for these drugs is 2.2 BILLION DOLLARS. My book, "No More Periods? The Risks of Menstrual Suppression ..." is thoroughly researched and annotated, with references given for every factual statement, and with a reference bibliography of 226 listings. I have included the URL for any website from which quotes have been used. Every statement made by the anonymous reviewer "from Chicago," including the spelling of my name, is in error. I am alarmed that AOL or any other media publication will print an anonymous "review." The book is a carefully balanced evaluation of the pros and cons of menstrual suppression, including a full discussion of those women for whom the birth control pill is a reasonable choice. Unfortunately few doctors know the risks of menstrual suppression, which include cancer of the cervix, heart attacks, strokes, reduced sexual interest and pleasure, and depression. Women -- read, learn, and decide for yourselves.