Dataset Information

The myth of menstruation: how menstrual regulation and suppression impact contraceptive choice.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Women in the US have access to various hormonal contraceptive methods that can regulate menstruation. This study examined the attitudes and perceptions of reproductive-aged women toward contraceptive methods, including how menstrual regulation and suppression preferences influenced contraceptive choice.

Methods

Data collection used a mixed-methods approach, including 6 focus groups (n?=?61), individual interviews (n?=?18), and a web-based survey (n?=?547).

Results

Participants described contraceptive method preferences that allowed monthly bleeding and daily control, expressing concerns about long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) because of decreased user involvement. Some participants noted LARC improved their menstrual control. Many participants felt menstruation was healthy, whereas suppression was abnormal and resulted in negative health outcomes. Though participants indicated LARC as beneficial (M?=?4.99?±?1.66), convenient (M?=?5.43?±?1.68), and healthy (M?=?4.62?±?1.69), they chose combined oral contraceptives due to convenience.

Conclusions

Findings suggest women need more information about menstrual regulation and suppression before selecting a contraceptive method, specifically in relation to LARC versus combined oral contraception. Framing menstrual suppression as healthy and natural may improve perceptions of long-term health consequences related to LARC. Providers should discuss menstrual suppression safety to ensure selection of contraceptive options aligning with women's preferences and needs.

SUBMITTER: DeMaria AL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6816209 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

The myth of menstruation: how menstrual regulation and suppression impact contraceptive choice.

DeMaria Andrea L AL Sundstrom Beth B Meier Stephanie S Wiseley Abigail A

BMC women's health 20191028 1

<h4>Background</h4>Women in the US have access to various hormonal contraceptive methods that can regulate menstruation. This study examined the attitudes and perceptions of reproductive-aged women toward contraceptive methods, including how menstrual regulation and suppression preferences influenced contraceptive choice.<h4>Methods</h4>Data collection used a mixed-methods approach, including 6 focus groups (n = 61), individual interviews (n = 18), and a web-based survey (n = 547).<h4>Results</h ...[more]

PMID: 31660946

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Project description:BACKGROUND:Mobile phones for health (mHealth) hold promise for delivering behavioral interventions. We evaluated the effect of automated interactive voice messages promoting contraceptive use with a focus on long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) among women in Bangladesh who had undergone menstrual regulation (MR), a procedure to "regulate the menstrual cycle when menstruation is absent for a short duration." METHODS:We recruited MR clients from 41 public- and private-sector clinics immediately after MR. Eligibility criteria included having a personal mobile phone and consenting to receive messages about family planning by phone. We randomized participants remotely to an intervention group that received at least 11 voice messages about contraception over 4 months or to a control group (no messages). The primary outcome was LARC use at 4 months. Adverse events measured included experience of intimate partner violence (IPV). Researchers recruiting participants and 1 analyst were blinded to allocation groups. All analyses were intention to treat. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02579785). RESULTS:Between December 2015 and March 2016, 485 women were allocated to the intervention group and 484 to the control group. We completed follow-up on 389 intervention and 383 control participants. Forty-eight (12%) participants in the intervention group and 59 (15%) in the control group reported using a LARC method at 4 months (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] using multiple imputation=0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.49 to 1.83; P=.22). Reported physical IPV was higher in the intervention group: 42 (11%) intervention versus 25 (7%) control (aOR=1.97; 95% CI=1.12 to 3.46; P=.03) when measured using a closed question naming acts of violence. No violence was reported in response to an open question about effects of being in the study. CONCLUSIONS:The intervention did not increase LARC use but had an unintended consequence of increasing self-reported IPV. Researchers and health program designers should consider possible negative impacts when designing and evaluating mHealth and other reproductive health interventions. IPV must be measured using closed questions naming acts of violence.

Dataset Information

The myth of menstruation: how menstrual regulation and suppression impact contraceptive choice.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

The myth of menstruation: how menstrual regulation and suppression impact contraceptive choice.

Similar Datasets

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