FACT SHEET

A recent survey by the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals examined women’s and clinicians’ opinions of the monthly period and menstrual suppression. Complete survey results can be found at www.arhp.org/menstruation/.

A WOMAN’S POINT OF VIEW

• 71% of women do not enjoy getting their period each month
• 75% believe men have a real advantage by not having the monthly interruption of a period
• 75% think that monthly periods are something they have to deal with
• 67% wouldn’t miss their period if it disappeared
• 62% of women are interested in stopping their period if it were safe and free

THE PROFESSIONAL OPINION

• 59% think men have a real advantage in not having the monthly interruption of a period
• 53% think menstruation is a significant cause of absence from work or school
• 36% think the monthly period is something that women have to deal with

ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE USE

Women

• 75% of women are interested in learning more about using oral contraceptives to reduce menstruation
• 53% of women who knew of menstrual suppression had learned from a health care provider
• 38% of women are using birth control for reasons other than pregnancy prevention

Health care professional

• 91% have prescribed a birth control method for a reason other than pregnancy prevention
• 68% of those who have prescribed a birth control method for other than pregnancy prevention have prescribed oral contraceptives to delay or stop a patient’s period
• 72% say patient request affects decision to prescribe an extended contraceptive regimen