Penny Budoff

Dr. Penny Wise Budoff (July 7, 1939 – December 6, 2008) is best known for her work finding ways to alleviate menstrual cramps and hot flashes. The New York Times called her "a pioneer in women's health" after she published her bestselling book No More Menstrual Cramps and Other Good News.[1] Budoff improved the lives of millions of women and was a recognized authority on the subject of women's health issues for many years, reflected by media coverage over the course of several decades.[2][3][4][5][6][7]

Dr. Penny Wise Budoff
BornJuly 7, 1939
Albany, NY
DiedDecember 6, 2008
Delray Beach, Florida
OccupationMedical Doctor
Spouse(s)Seymour L. Budoff
ChildrenJeffrey Budoff (orthopedic surgen)
Cynthia Louise (died June 5, 2007 at 39)
Parent(s)Louis Wise
Goldene (Zuckerman) Wise

She wanted to create a medical center that would cater to the needs of women. She envisioned a place where women would get the care they needed all in one facility. After receiving a loan, she purchased land in Bethpage, Long Island and created the Penny Wise Budoff, M.D., Women's Center (1985).[8]

Education

Budoff attended University of Wisconsin–Madison (1955–57); Syracuse University, B.A., 1959; SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York. in 1963 where she received her medical degree. She also was a part of the Women's Health Services that was associated with North Shore University Hospital.[9][10]

Research

Budoff published a research paper, "Use of Mefenamic Acid in the Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea" in JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association in June, 1979.[11]

Dr. Penny Wise Budoff of the Stony Brook medical school in New York found that Mefenamic acid (Postel) produced significant relief from pain, nausea, and diarrhea in 44 women with debilitating menstrual cramps.[12] For years the standard treatment for women with severe menstrual problems has been to put them on oral contraceptives. Dr. Budoff questioned the necessity for taking "21 days of birth control pills to get 24 hours of relief from pain." She reasoned that a drug which inhibits prostaglandin synthesis or interferes with the prostaglandin receptors would stop the cramps.[12] Dr. Budoff approached Warner Lambert with a proposal to test Ponstel, which was already on the market for treating arthritis pain, against menstrual cramps. The pilot study results were impressive enough that the company funded a larger clinical study.[12]

She published No More Hot Flashes and Other Good News, Putnam (New York, NY), 1983, revised edition published as No More Hot Flashes and Even More Good News, Warner Books (New York, NY), 1998.

Contributor to books, including Women in Industry, edited by Pasquale A. Carone, South Oakes Foundation, 1977; and Advances in Prostaglandin and Thromboxane Research, Volume 2, Bengt Samuelsson, Peter Ramwell, and Rodolfo Paoletti, editors, Raven Press, 1980. Contributor to medical journals, including New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of the American Medical Association, Journal of Reproductive Medicine, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sexual Medicine Today, and Female Patient.[10]

Awards

Recognition awards from American Medical Association, 1972, 1976, and 1978; named woman of the year by C. W. Post College, 1981.[10]

Memberships

American Medical Association, American Medical Women's Association (delegate to Medical Women's International Association conferences, 1976 and 1978), American Academy of Family Physicians (fellow), American Cancer Society(member of board of governors, 1978–; member of Professional Education Committee, 1978–), Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (member), New York State Medical Society, New York State Academy of Family Physicians (director, 1979–), Nassau Academy of Medicine (fellow), Nassau Academy of Family Physicians (secretary, 1975–76; delegate to New York State legislative sessions, 1976–78; vice-president, 1976–77; president, 1977–78), Flying Physician's Association, Alpha Epsilon Iota (president, 1962).[10]

Death

Budoff died in her home on December 6, 2008, in Delray Beach, Florida. She suffered from rheumatoid arthritis (1987–2007) and ALS, which in the end resulted in respiratory failure and ultimately her death.[13]

References
  1. "Study Finds Drug Alleviates Many Menstrual Symptoms". The New York Times. September 16, 1982.
  2. Rovner, Sandy (November 16, 1979). "Health Talk: Developments on the Dial-a-Doc Front, and More on New/Old Drugs for Cramps". The Washington Post.
  3. "At last, a drug that cures the curse of painful cramps". The Chicago Tribune. September 9, 1979.
  4. Henig, Robin Marantz (March 3, 1982). "Dispelling Menstrual Myths". The New York Times.
  5. Ahronovitz, Esti (March 18, 2011). "Sex and Sickness". Haaretz.
  6. "Gary Collins and Dr. Penny Budoff discuss the physical and emotional aspects of pre-menstrual cramps".
  7. Doheny, Kathleen (April 12, 1994). "New Drugs Expand the Options for Relieving Monthly Cramps". The Los Angeles Times.
  8. Peterson, Kathy (October 4, 1984). "Family Practitioner will Speak on Women's Health Issues". Schenectady Gazette. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  9. "Penny Wise Budoff, MD".
  10. "Budoff, Penny Wise 1939- | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
  11. Budoff, Penny Wise (1979). "Use of Mefenamic Acid in the Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea". JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association. 241 (25): 2713. doi:10.1001/jama.1979.03290510021018.
  12. jk (1979). "woman doctor finds remedy for cramps". Off Our Backs. 9 (8): 7. ISSN 0030-0071. JSTOR 25793024.
  13. "Paid Notice: Deaths Budoff, Penny Wise". New York Times. December 9, 2008.
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