Women’s preferences for menstrual bleeding frequency in 12 European countries: the Inconvenience Due to Women’s Monthly Bleeding (ISY) survey

Abstract

Objectives: Our aim was to assess the level of inconvenience associated with menstrual bleeding and determine how many women across 12 European countries would prefer a bleeding frequency of less than once a month and what would motivate their choice.

Methods: A 15-min quantitative online survey was conducted in two waves among 5728 women aged between 18 and 45 years, with an equal distribution of women using a combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC group, n = 2739) and women using a non-hormonal contraceptive or no contraceptive (non-HC group, n = 2989). The first wave was carried out in Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, Poland and Spain, in February 2015, and the results have been published. The second wave was conducted in the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Portugal, Latvia and the Netherlands, between August and September 2015.

Results: The menstrual period was significantly longer (5.0 versus 4.6 days) and heavier (15 versus 7%) in non-HC users than in CHC users (p < .0001). Given the choice, ∼60% of women would like less frequent menstrual bleeding. There was heterogeneity in the preference across countries. Sexuality, social life, work and sporting activities were key factors affecting women’s preference.

Conclusion: The majority of women in the 12 European countries would prefer to reduce the frequency of menstrual periods. Quality of life was the main factor affecting their preference.

Chinese abstract

目的：我们的目的是评估与月经出血相关的不便程度, 并确定12个欧洲国家中有多少女性偏好于每月少于一次的出血频率, 以及什么促使她们的选择。

方法：在5728名18至45岁的妇女中进行了两波15分钟的定量在线调查, 平均分配妇女用复方激素避孕药（CHC组, n = 2739）和用非激素避孕或非避孕（非HC组, n = 2989）。第一波于2015年2月在奥地利、比利时、法国、意大利、波兰和西班牙进行, 结果已经公布。第二波于2015年8月至9月在捷克共和国、德国、匈牙利、葡萄牙、拉脱维亚和荷兰进行。

结果：非HC组相比于HCC组月经期更长（5.0 VS. 4.6天）, 严重月经出血率更高（15 VS. 7％）（p <0.0001）。提供选择, 约60％的妇女偏好于低频率的月经出血。各国的偏好存在异质性。性生活、社会生活、工作和体育活动是影响女性偏好的关键因素。

结论：12个欧洲国家的大多数妇女偏好于减少月经出血频率。生活质量是影响她们偏好的主要因素。

Keywords:

• Attitudes
• Europe
• menstrual bleeding
• oral contraception
• preferences

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries. The authors would like to thank the collaboration of Stethos International for their helpful comments. This article was prepared with writing and editorial assistance from Jean-Louis Carsol and Tristan Blundell, both employed by Publicis Health.

Disclosure statement

C.F. is a member of the European scientific advisory board of Teva and has been a lecturer for Teva, Bayer HealthCare and Exelgyn. N.C.-B. is a member of the European board of Teva/Theramex without personal gain. C.J. is a consultant for MSD, Teva and HRA Pharma. I.L. has a financial relationship (lecturer, member of advisory boards and/or consultant) with MSD, Teva, Gedeon Richter, HRA Pharma and Nordic Pharma. P.L. has a financial relationship (member of advisory boards, lecturer and/or consultant) with Bayer HealthCare, Effik, MSD, Smith & Nephew and Teva. R.E.N. has a financial relationship (lecturer, member of advisory boards and/or consultant) with Bayer HealthCare, Boehringer Ingelheim, Ely Lilly, Gedeon Richter, HRA Pharma, MSD, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Procter & Gamble, Shionogi and Teva.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries.