Women's views and experiences of their vaginal bleeding patterns: An international perspective from Norplant users

d’Arcangues, Catherine; Jackson, Emily; Brache, Vivian; Piaggio, Gilda

doi:10.3109/13625187.2010.535871

Cited by 12 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…In contrast, no significant differences in preference for amenorrhea by age group were found in studies in Nigeria, South Africa, Scotland, Italy [55,67]. Younger women were also generally more likely to desire less frequent (but non-amenorrheic) menstrual bleeding patterns [56,60,66,68,70]. A Swiss study found that while 37% of women preferred monthly bleeding, nearly as many (32%) preferred an interval of 2-6 months, with women aged 15-19 most likely to prefer two-monthly intervals [53].…”

Section: Women's Responses Related To Contraceptive-induced Amenorrhea and Other Non-standard Bleeding Frequenciesmentioning

confidence: 75%

“…Across included surveys, women's preference for amenorrhea ranged between 0% [56] (in Tunisia) and 65% [57] (in Brazil) (Table 2) [53,[55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71]. Preferences for regular, non-monthly menstrual cycles (i.e., various durations of longer than one month but less than one year) ranged between 0% [56] (in Indonesia) and 66% [68] (in Mexico). Generally, amenorrhea appears more commonly preferred in North America, Europe and South America, whereas trends for other bleeding pattern preferences are less prominent (Table 2).…”

Section: Women's Responses Related To Contraceptive-induced Amenorrhea and Other Non-standard Bleeding Frequenciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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There might be blood: a scoping review on women’s responses to contraceptive-induced menstrual bleeding changes

Polis

Hussain²,

Berry³

2018

Contraception

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Introduction: Concern about side effects and health issues are common reasons for contraceptive non-use or discontinuation. Contraceptive-induced menstrual bleeding changes (CIMBCs) are linked to these concerns. Research on women's responses to CIMBCs has not been mapped or summarized in a systematic scoping review. Methods: We conducted a systematic scoping review of data on women's responses to CIMBCs in peer-reviewed, English-language publications in the last 15 years. Investigator dyads abstracted information from relevant studies on pre-specified and emergent themes using a standardized form. We held an expert consultation to obtain critical input. We provide recommendations for researchers, contraceptive counselors, and product developers. Results: We identified 100 relevant studies. All world regions were represented (except Antarctica), including Africa (11%), the Americas (32%), Asia (7%), Europe (20%), and Oceania (6%). We summarize findings pertinent to five thematic areas: women's responses to contraceptive-induced non-standard bleeding patterns; CIMBCs influence on non-use, dissatisfaction or discontinuation; conceptual linkages between CIMBCs and health; women's responses to menstrual suppression; and other emergent themes. Women's preferences for non-monthly bleeding patterns ranged widely, though amenorrhea appears most acceptable in the Americas and Europe. Multiple studies reported CIMBCs as top reasons for contraceptive dissatisfaction and discontinuation; others suggested disruption of regular bleeding patterns was associated with non-use. CIMBCs in some contexts were perceived as linked with a wide range of health concerns; e.g., some women perceived amenorrhea to cause a buildup of "dirty" or "blocked" blood, in turn perceived as causing blood clots, fibroids, emotional disturbances, weight gain, infertility, or death. Multiple studies addressed how CIMBCs (or menstruation) impacted daily activities, including participation in domestic, work, school, sports, or religious life; sexual or emotional relationships; and other domains. Conclusions: Substantial variability exists around how women respond to CIMBCs; these responses are shaped by individual and social influences. Despite variation in responses across contexts and sub-populations, CIMBCs can impact multiple aspects of women's lives. Women's responses to CIMBCs should be recognized as a key issue in contraceptive research, counseling, and product development, but may be underappreciated, despite likelyand potentially substantialimpacts on contraceptive discontinuation and unmet need for modern contraception.

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Section: Women's Responses Related To Contraceptive-induced Amenorrhea and Other Non-standard Bleeding Frequenciesmentioning

confidence: 75%

Section: Women's Responses Related To Contraceptive-induced Amenorrhea and Other Non-standard Bleeding Frequenciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

There might be blood: a scoping review on women’s responses to contraceptive-induced menstrual bleeding changes

Polis

Hussain²,

Berry³

2018

Contraception

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“…In many cultures, sexual activity during menstruation is not accepted and contraceptive users may fear prolonged bleeding will cause friction in their relationships and that their partners will seek extramarital relationships. 55 , 56 In some cultures, people are expected to socially isolate during menstruation, which further limits their daily activities and may even expose them to harms. 57 In addition, the management of the bleeding itself can be a challenge, especially when menstrual products are inaccessible, unaffordable, and/or low-quality.…”

Section: Biological Linkages Between Mh and Srhrmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seeking synergies: understanding the evidence that links menstrual health and sexual and reproductive health and rights

Wilson¹,

Rademacher

Rosenbaum

et al. 2021

Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters

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Global efforts to improve menstrual health and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are fundamentally intertwined and share similar goals for improving health and well-being and increasing gender equality. Historically, however, the two fields have operated independently and missed opportunities to build upon their biological and sociocultural linkages. Biological touchpoints connecting the two fields include genital tract infections, menstrual disorders, contraception, and menopause. From a sociocultural perspective, intersections occur in relation to the experience of puberty and menarche, gender norms and equity, education, gender-based violence, and transactional sex. We describe evidence linking menstrual health and SRHR and offer recommendations for integration that could strengthen the impact of both fields.

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“…It also provided women with a method to regulate their monthly bleeding, mimicking a regular menstrual cycle 1. More recent developments in hormonal contraception have given women additional options for control over their monthly bleed 2. Women can manipulate their combined oral contraceptive regime in order to decrease bleeding episodes,3 4 or use progestogen-only methods of contraception that may eliminate bleeding altogether.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hormonal contraception and regulation of menstruation: a study of young women's attitudes towards ‘having a period’

Newton

Hoggart

2014

J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care

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Background Irregular bleeding is one of the most common side effects of hormonal contraception and a key reason for the discontinuation of hormonal methods. Study design A qualitative study in which 12 young women volunteered to be interviewed in depth, along with six focus group discussions (23 participants). The study had two main research objectives: to document and investigate what young women think and feel about menstruation and contraception, and to explore young women's preferences regarding the intersection of contraceptives and bleeding patterns. Results Although participants held a broad view that menstruation can be an inconvenience, they did ascribe positive values to having a regular bleed. Bleeding was seen as a signifier of nonpregnancy and also an innate part of being a woman. A preference for a 'natural' menstruating body was a strong theme, and the idea of selecting a hormonal contraceptive that might stop the bleeding was not overly popular, unless the young woman suffered with painful natural menstruation. Contraceptives that mimicked the menstrual cycle were acceptable to most, suggesting that cyclic bleeding still holds a symbolic function for women. Conclusions When counselling young women about the effect of different contraceptive modalities on their bleeding, practitioners should explore how the women feel about their bleeding, including how they might feel if their bleeding stopped or if they experienced erratic bleeding patterns. Practitioners also need to recognise the subjective understanding of the 'natural body' as held by some women, and in these cases to support them in their seeking out of non-hormonal methods of contraception.

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Women's views and experiences of their vaginal bleeding patterns: An international perspective from Norplant users

Abstract: Despite growing acceptance of altering bleeding patterns, women in this study preferred monthly vaginal bleeding. Understanding sociocultural contexts and individual preferences is important when addressing this issue with women from diverse backgrounds.

Cited by 12 publications

References 41 publications

There might be blood: a scoping review on women’s responses to contraceptive-induced menstrual bleeding changes

There might be blood: a scoping review on women’s responses to contraceptive-induced menstrual bleeding changes

Seeking synergies: understanding the evidence that links menstrual health and sexual and reproductive health and rights

Hormonal contraception and regulation of menstruation: a study of young women's attitudes towards ‘having a period’

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