Re: RC: delicate subject

[Onefarmgirl@aol.com]

I'll reply to Maggie individually about this, but thought one thing was worth 
posting here.   For those of you willing to take (or already on) oral 
contraceptives, they can be used to alter the cycle, specifically to delay a 
period, with a high degree of safety.   
This does constitute a form of hormonal manipulation (much like what we 
sometimes do to our mares!) so may not appeal to some.  However, there are a 
number of studies in which menses are delayed at some length, or are 
manipulated to be less frequent.   This is done, for example, in women who 
cannot meet hygiene needs.   So far as I am aware, there hve been no 
significant problems with doing this, certainly not with doing it on a rare 
occasion.

Physicians have been recommending this for special circumstances for many 
years, just don't widely advertise it.   One of the more common reasons is 
for a woman who is going on a honeymoon, but high level sporting events are 
another legitimate reason.    It's not something you could use real 
regularly, certainly not for a routine competition, but if I had spent 
several years of preparation for something like Tevis, or an international 
competition, I wouldn't hesitate.   Just one more option.


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