About the Suvery

ARHP's 2003 menstrual suppression study evaluated women's and health care providers' attitudes toward menstrual suppression with extended use oral contraceptives through qualitative and quantitative surveys. The survey was conducted in three parts: 1) written survey of women (1,500), 2) clinician interviews of women (18), and 3) written survey of health care providers (500). The women surveyed were English-speaking, between the ages of 18 and 40; had a uterus and ovaries; had menstruated for at least one year since menarche; and neither were pregnant and nor attempting pregnancy.

• Read the press release
• View the full survey results (PDF)
• Read the fact sheet

Quick facts

• Only 36% of health care professionas think the monthly period is something that women have to deal with
• 75% of women and 60% of clinicians believe men have a real advantage by not having the monthly interruption of a period
• 91% of health care providers have prescribed a birth control method for a reason other than pregnancy prevention
• Only 27% of women have heard of using birth control pills to skip a period

This study was made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Barr Laboratories.