Women's attitudes towards monthly bleeding: Results of a global population-based survey

Abstract

Objective Monthly bleeding can be uncomfortable and inconvenient. Fifty years after the introduction of the pill, one wonders whether women still want to bleed every month.

Methods Cross-national online survey of women aged 15–49 years (N = 4039) who were currently using, had used or would consider using a hormonal contraceptive. The survey was conducted in eight countries across Europe, North America and Latin America to assess attitudes towards monthly bleeding.

Results Almost one-third of women reported that bleeding had a severe negative impact on their daily life, particularly with respect to sexual life and sports activities. Approximately 60% of women would, at least sometimes, like to postpone their bleeding and 50% wished they had the flexibility to determine when their menstrual bleeding starts. Overall, 34% of women would change the frequency of their bleeding to once every two or three months.

Conclusions Past, current or future users of hormonal contraception reported that bleeding has a severe negative impact on daily life. Given the choice, most women surveyed would reduce the frequency of their bleeding.

Keywords:

• Attitudes
• Bleeding
• Menstruation
• Oral contraceptive
• Withdrawal bleeding

Acknowledgements

Medical writing assistance was provided by Danielle Turner and Raelene Simpson of inScience Communications. The funding for the survey and for medical writing assistance was provided by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals.

Declaration of interest:Anne Szarewski has received honoraria, conference sponsorship, and consultancy fees from pharmaceutical companies, including Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals and MSD. Sarah Rybowski and Ariane von Stenglin are employees of Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals.