Women's attitudes about combined hormonal contraception (CHC)-induced menstrual bleeding changes-influence of personality traits in an Italian clinical sample

ObjectivesWe investigated the attitudes to change the frequency of menstrual bleeding by using combined hormonal contraception (CHC). Personality characteristics were also explored.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in two university hospitals in northern Italy. Current, past and never CHC users (n = 545; age 18-44 years) completed a self-administered semi-structured questionnaire and the Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI).ResultsForty-five percent of responders (n = 301) would prefer to change their bleeding frequency by using CHC. A flexible regimen was the preferred choice (n = 80; 33%) followed by extended regimens to bleed every 3 months (n = 54; 22%) or to never bleed (n = 43; 18%). The main positive reasons were to avoid dysmenorrhea (43%) and have more freedom in sexual (36%) and active (35%) life, whereas the main reason for a negative attitude was 'menstrual rhythm is natural' (59%). Age had a significant influence on women's willingness to change menstrual frequency by using CHC [>39 years (57%), 30-39 years (31%) and <30 years (46%)] (chi(2): 9.1; p = 0.01). Never users significantly reported a more negative attitude (71%) in comparison with past (51%) and current users (49%) (chi(2): 18.7; p = 0.001). Personality traits played a role, with higher scores of openness (p = 0.005) and extraversion (p = 0.001) in women with a positive attitude.ConclusionsAlmost half of our study sample reported a preference for changing their menstrual pattern by using CHC. Flexibility was the preferred choice across age and use of CHC. Personality characteristics (openness and extroversion) might influence attitudes toward CHC-induced menstrual bleeding changes.

Automated summary

This study investigated attitudes towards changing the frequency of menstrual bleeding using combined hormonal contraception (CHC) and explored personality characteristics. The study found that approximately 45% of women prefer to use CHC to change their bleeding frequency, with a flexible regimen being the most preferred choice. Positive reasons for this preference included avoiding dysmenorrhea and having more freedom in sexual and active life, while the main negative reason was the belief that menstrual rhythm is natural. Age and CHC usage significantly influenced women's willingness to change menstrual frequency using CHC, and personality traits such as openness and extroversion played a role in attitudes towards CHC-induced menstrual bleeding changes.