Cross-sectional evaluation of the impact of information on flexible extended regimens of oral contraceptives in the choices made by women seeking contraceptive counselling: the FLEXO study

Abstract

Objective: Oral combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs) are available that limit the number of menses when used in a flexible extended regimen. Our aim was to investigate the decision-making processes of women presented with a flexible extended CHC option.

Methods: The FLEXO study is an epidemiological, cross-sectional, multicentre study conducted under typical clinical practice conditions to determine women’s acceptance of a flexible continuous CHC regimen versus a cyclical 21/7 day regimen, after receiving standardised information during contraceptive counselling.

Results: A total of 1350 women were invited to participate, of whom 1156 were enrolled. Of these, 47.2% chose the flexible extended CHC regimen. Their main reason for choosing this regimen was to reduce the number of menses (25.7%), followed by the desire to avoid symptoms related to menstruation (21.6%). The reasons given for rejecting this regimen were the desire to have monthly menstrual cycles (24.9%) and the fear of becoming pregnant and not being aware of it due to the absence of menstruation (18.1%).

Conclusion: Many women chose the extended flexible regimen when they received information about this option. Women primarily chose this pattern to relieve or eliminate discomfort related to menstruation.

摘要

目的：应用灵活的口服联合激素类避孕药(CHCs)延长方案时可以缩短行经天数, 我们的目的是调查决定应用上述方案的女性选择避孕方法的过程。

方法：FLEXO研究是一项基于流行病学、横断面、多中心的研究, 在经典的临床实践条件下, 在接受标准化避孕信息的咨询之后, 与周期性用药 (21/7天)方案相比, 确定妇女对连续CHCs方案的接受程度。

结果：共有1350名女性加入研究, 其中1156名符合入组标准。其中, 约47.2%的患者选择了灵活延长的CHCs方案, 她们选择这种方案的主要原因是减少月经次数(25.7%), 其次是希望避免相关月经症状 (21.6%)。拒绝这种方案的原因是希望能有每月的正常月经周期(24.9%), 以及对怀孕的恐惧和由于月经不调而没有意识到这一点的女性(18.1%)。

结论：许多女性在接受关于避孕方案选择的信息后选择了灵活延长方案。女性选择这种方案主要是为了缓解或消除与月经相关的不适症状。

KEYWORDS:

• Choice
• combined oral hormonal contraception
• contraceptive guidance
• flexible extended regimen
• menstruation

Acknowledgements

We thank David de la Rosa from the European University of Madrid for his methodological support during the statistical analysis.

Disclosure statement

I.L. is a member of the advisory boards of Merck, Teva, Exeltis, Adamed, HRA Pharma and Nordic. J.C. is a member of the advisory board of Exeltis and a speaker on courses and at congresses and meetings for MSD, Amgen, Pfizer, Teva and Bayer. E.P.C. is a member of the advisory board of Exeltis and a speaker on courses and at congresses and meetings for MSD, Teva and Bayer. E.d.V. is a member of the Spanish advisory board of Teva and collaborator with Bayer, Gedeon Ritcher, EFFIK, Exeltis, MSD and Pfizer. R.L. is a member of the advisory boards of Exeltis, Bayer, Nordic and Exelgyn. M.M. is a speaker at meetings, symposiums and courses for MSD, Pfizer, Sanofi, Exeltis, Teva, Bayer and Faes Farma. M.Q. is an occasional guest speaker at meetings, symposiums and training courses for Bayer, MSD, HRA Pharma and Exeltis. R.S.B. is a member of the advisory boards of Teva, Exeltis, Adamed and HRA Pharma.

Additional information

Funding

The study received a research grant from Exeltis España S.A.