Attitudes and Knowledge about Continuous Oral Contraceptive Pill Use in Military Women

Abstract

Although a significant number of soldiers desire OCP-induced amenorrhea, a large deficit in knowledge exists. Routine education as an Army-wide standard is warranted.

Oral Contraceptive Use Among Women in the Military and the General U.S. Population

“…In 2003, Powell-Dunford et al 31 estimated that 84% of female active duty U.S. Army personnel had a desire for temporary amenorrhea. Another study found 66% of female cadets at the U.S. Army Military Academy stated that their menstrual symptoms interfered with their physical activities, 32 suggesting a strong desire for temporary amenorrhea.…”

Menstrual and Oral Contraceptive Use Patterns Among Deployed Military Women by Race and Ethnicity

“…This was surprising given the moderating effect of OC on menstrual symptoms and the belief that continuous use may improve quality of life (Wiegratz et al, 2004) and can be effective in terms of mediating menstrual symptoms (Edelman et al, 2005;Powell-Dunford et al, 2003). Over 80% of all women were interested in receiving education about continuous OC use.…”

“…The demographic, menstrual history, and OC knowledge and attitudes questions had been used in a previous study (Powell-Dunford et al, 2003). Menstrual concern was assessed through nine questions specific to menstrual symptoms and experiences during deployment: they were formatted as a 10-point Likert-type scale from least to greatest degree of symptomatology.…”

Theoretical substruction: establishing links between theory and measurement of military women’s attitudes towards menstrual suppression during military operations

“…Menstrual hygiene is a burden in the field setting (Czerwinski et al. 2001, Wardell & Czerwinski 2001, Powell‐Dunford et al. 2003).…”

“…In the only study that assessed military women’s attitudes towards menstrual suppression, it was found that the majority of women desired amenorrhoea during deployment, but few would choose to suppress menstruation with oral contraceptives (OCs) (Powell‐Dunford et al. 2003).…”