Women’s preferences for menstrual bleeding frequency: results of the Inconvenience Due to Women’s Monthly Bleeding (ISY) survey

Abstract

Objectives: Our aim was to assess the level of inconvenience associated with monthly bleeding, determine how many women 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 carried out among 2883 women aged between 18 and 45 years in six European countries (Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, Poland and Spain). Results: Of those surveyed, 1319 women used a combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC group) and 1564 used a non-hormonal contraceptive or no contraceptive (non-HC group). The menstrual period was significantly longer (5 vs. 4.5 days), heavier (16% vs. 8% heavy menstrual flow) and associated with more symptoms (6.1 vs. 5.6) in non-HC users than in CHC users (p < 0.0001). More than half of the women in each group reported pelvic pain, bloating/swelling, mood swings and irritability, but the rate was significantly higher in the non-HC group. Given the choice, 57% of women in both groups said they would opt for longer intervals between periods. Sexuality, social life, work and sporting activities were key factors affecting their decision. Conclusions: The majority of women would prefer to have menstrual periods less than once a month, with a frequency ranging from once every 3 months to no periods at all. This can be explained by the desire to avoid the unpleasant aspects of menstruation and its negative impact on private and professional life.

Chinese abstract

目的：我们的目的是评估每月出血带来的不便之处，确定有多少女性愿意选择出血的频率少于1个月1次，以及她们如此选择的动机。方法：在六个欧洲国家（奥地利，比利时，

法国、意大利、波兰和西班牙），对2883名18-45岁之间的妇女进行15分钟的定量在线调查。结果：接受调查的人中，有1319名妇女使用了复合激素避孕（CHC组），1564名妇女使用非激素避孕或没有避孕（非HC组）。与CHC组相比，非HC组月经期更长（5 vs 4.5天），月经量更多（月经过多的发生率16% vs. 8%），且有更多的症状（6.1 vs. 5.6）（p<0.0001）。每一组都有半数以上的妇女诉盆腔疼痛、腹胀/浮肿、情绪波动和烦躁，但非HC组发生率显著增高。鉴于这两个选择，两组均有57%的妇女表示她们将选择更长的时间间隔。性生活、社会生活、工作和体育活动是影响她们决定的关键因素。结论：大多数的女性更喜欢月经频率低于1个月1次，频率范围从每3个月1次到完全没有。这可能是因为女性希望避免月经产生的不愉快体验及其对私人生活和职业生活的负面影响。

Keywords:

• Attitudes
• menstrual bleeding
• menstrual symptoms
• oral contraception
• preferences

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the collaboration of Stethos International for their helpful comments. The manuscript was prepared with writing and editorial assistance from Jean-Louis Carsol, Daniel Loniewski and Tristan Blundell, all employed by Publicis Life Brands International.

Disclosure statement

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. C.F. has been a lecturer for Teva and Bayer HealthCare. N.C.-B. is a member of the European board of Teva/Theramex without personal gain. I.L. has a financial relationship (lecturer, member of advisory boards and/or consultant) with MSD, Teva, Gedeon Richter, HRA Pharma and Nordic Pharma. C.J. is a consultant for MSD, Teva and HRA Pharma.

Funding information

This study was supported by Teva.