Objectives: We investigated attitudes towards the frequency of menstrual/withdrawal bleeding by using a combined hormonal contraception (CHC) in a clinical sample of fertile women, taking into account their personality traits. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in two university hospitals in northern Italy. Current, past and never CHC healthy users (n¼545; aged 18–44 years) completed a selfadministered questionnaire, composed of a semi-structured interview and a validated personality questionnaire (TIPI). Data were analysed using frequency tables, v2 test and other statistics, as appropriate. Results: Forty-five percent of responders would prefer to change the frequency of menstrual/withdrawal bleeding by using a CHC. Women>39 years (57%) and>30 years (45%) were more willing to change their bleeding pattern than women between 30 and 39 years (31%) (v2: 9.1; p¼0.01). Past (51%) and current (49%) CHC users preferred to modify the bleeding frequency, whereas never users reported a negative attitude to do so (71%) (v2: 18.7; p¼0.001). Among the different bleeding patterns, a flexible regimen was the preferred choice (33%), followed by an extended regimen designed to bleed every three months (22%) and ‘to never bleed’ (18%). The main reasons behind women’s preference to change the bleeding pattern were to avoid dysmenorrhea (43%) and to have more freedom in sexual (36%) and active (35%) life, whereas the main reason for a negative attitude is that menstrual rhythm ‘is natural’ (59%). Women who were prescribed CHC for menstrual disorders preferred ‘to bleed in a flexible way’ (50%) and ‘to never bleed’ (46%). Scores of openness (p¼0.005) and extraversion (p¼0.001) were significantly higher in those women more favourable to modifying their bleeding pattern by using a CHC. Conclusions: Age, use of CHC, menstrual disorders and open and extraverted personality were associated with a positive attitude to change the menstrual/withdrawal bleeding pattern, mainly taking a flexible and extended (three months)-regimen.
Personality traits and attitudes towards the frequency of menstrual/withdrawal bleeding: a survey in a clinical sample of Italian women
Lara Tiranini;David Bosoni;Laura Cucinella;Silvia Martella;Arsenio Spinillo;
2016-01-01
Abstract
Objectives: We investigated attitudes towards the frequency of menstrual/withdrawal bleeding by using a combined hormonal contraception (CHC) in a clinical sample of fertile women, taking into account their personality traits. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in two university hospitals in northern Italy. Current, past and never CHC healthy users (n¼545; aged 18–44 years) completed a selfadministered questionnaire, composed of a semi-structured interview and a validated personality questionnaire (TIPI). Data were analysed using frequency tables, v2 test and other statistics, as appropriate. Results: Forty-five percent of responders would prefer to change the frequency of menstrual/withdrawal bleeding by using a CHC. Women>39 years (57%) and>30 years (45%) were more willing to change their bleeding pattern than women between 30 and 39 years (31%) (v2: 9.1; p¼0.01). Past (51%) and current (49%) CHC users preferred to modify the bleeding frequency, whereas never users reported a negative attitude to do so (71%) (v2: 18.7; p¼0.001). Among the different bleeding patterns, a flexible regimen was the preferred choice (33%), followed by an extended regimen designed to bleed every three months (22%) and ‘to never bleed’ (18%). The main reasons behind women’s preference to change the bleeding pattern were to avoid dysmenorrhea (43%) and to have more freedom in sexual (36%) and active (35%) life, whereas the main reason for a negative attitude is that menstrual rhythm ‘is natural’ (59%). Women who were prescribed CHC for menstrual disorders preferred ‘to bleed in a flexible way’ (50%) and ‘to never bleed’ (46%). Scores of openness (p¼0.005) and extraversion (p¼0.001) were significantly higher in those women more favourable to modifying their bleeding pattern by using a CHC. Conclusions: Age, use of CHC, menstrual disorders and open and extraverted personality were associated with a positive attitude to change the menstrual/withdrawal bleeding pattern, mainly taking a flexible and extended (three months)-regimen.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
