National Survey
July-August 2002 Harris Poll Results
During the weeks of June 14–17 and July 18–22, 2002, the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (ARHP) surveyed 491 women between the ages of 18 and 49 to understand women's preferences about frequency and characteristics of menstrual bleeding in relation to reproductive status and oral contraceptive use. The statistical accuracy is +/- 4.5 percentage points.
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When asked if their period let them know whether or not they are "healthy" more than two-thirds of women surveyed said no.
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Given the opportunity to determine how frequently they would menstruate, 44% of all women surveyed would prefer never to menstruate, and this number increases to 59% for women ages 40–49.
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More than one in four women responding said their period, menstrual cramps, or other menstrual effects have caused them to miss professional, social, athletic, or family-oriented events.
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Seventy percent of women use or have used oral contraceptive pills in their lifetime.
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Less than 20% of women surveyed have ever used oral contraceptives to delay or stop their period for any length of time.
1) Has PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome), your period, menstrual cramps, or other menstrual effect ever caused you to miss . . .
| |
Yes |
No |
Not Sure |
Decline to Answer |
| A professional commitment |
24% |
72% |
1% |
3% |
| A social event |
29% |
67% |
* |
4% |
| A physical or athletic opportunity |
28% |
68% |
* |
4% |
| Time with your friends or family |
29% |
67% |
* |
4% |
2) Which of the following best describes you?
| I have a light period |
12% |
| I have an average period |
46% |
| I have a heavy period |
22% |
| I do not get my period any more |
14% |
| Not sure |
1% |
| Decline to answer |
6% |
3) Some women use their period as a way to let them know about various aspects of their health. Do you rely on your period to let you know . . .
| |
Yes |
No |
Not Sure |
Decline to Answer |
| If you are or are not pregnant |
31% |
62% |
1% |
5% |
| If you are able to have children |
24% |
69% |
1% |
5% |
| If you are or are not healthy |
25% |
70% |
1% |
4% |
4) If you could choose the number of times you have your period each year while remaining healthy, what would be your preference?
| Once a month |
29% |
| Every other month |
6% |
| Once every three months |
7% |
| Once every six months |
2% |
| Once a year |
6% |
| Never |
44% |
| Not sure |
2% |
| Decline to answer |
5% |
5) Are you currently using or have you ever used oral contraceptives, also known as the birth control pill?
| Yes, I currently use oral contraceptives |
36% |
| Yes, I have used oral contraceptives in the past |
34% |
| No |
25% |
| Not sure |
1% |
| Decline to answer |
5% |
6) Have you ever used oral contraceptives to delay or stop your period for any amount of time?
Yes
|
15% |
No
|
79% |
Not sure
|
1% |
| Decline to answer |
5% |
