Open AccessEliminating Monthly Periods with Combined Hormonal Contraception
Author(s) -
Kelly Gerschultz,
Gina S. Sucato
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
women's health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.363
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 1745-5065
pISSN - 1745-5057
DOI - 10.2217/17455057.3.5.541
Subject(s) - medicine , menstruation , regimen , hormonal contraception , menstrual cycle , follicular phase , pregnancy , breakthrough bleeding , family planning , gynecology , obstetrics , intensive care medicine , hormone , population , research methodology , environmental health , biology , genetics
Combined hormonal contraceptives have been increasingly marketed and prescribed in extended regimens to manage menstrual-cycle-related complaints and accommodate patients’ preferences. Extended regimens provide less frequent menstruation and may confer better ovarian follicular suppression and, thus, more effective pregnancy prevention. Most healthcare providers prescribe extended regimens and believe that menstrual suppression is safe; many women, when given the choice, would prefer to menstruate less frequently. However, most women will experience breakthrough bleeding, which may limit patient acceptance of an extended regimen. Recent studies have addressed strategies for minimizing unscheduled bleeding, but further research is needed to identify how best to tailor regimens to the medical needs and preferences of individual women.