Women's attitudes about combined hormonal contraception (CHC) - induced menstrual bleeding changes - influence of personality traits in an Italian clinical sample. (14th December 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nappi, Rossella E.; Tiranini, Lara; Bosoni, David; Cucinella, Laura; Piccinino, Manuela; Cumetti, Andrea; Perone, Valeria; Benedetto, Chiara
• Is Part Of: Gynecological endocrinology. Volume 39:Number 1(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-12-14
• Subjects: Attitudes -- bleeding pattern -- tailored contraceptive regimen -- personality -- combined hormonal contraceptive; Endocrine gynecology -- Periodicals; Generative organs, Female -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.1
• DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2023.2189971
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0951-3590

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: We investigated the attitudes to change the frequency of menstrual bleeding by using combined hormonal contraception (CHC). Personality characteristics were also explored. Methods: We 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). Results: Forty-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%)] (χ 2 : 9.1; p = 0.01). Never users significantly reported a more negative attitude (71%) in comparison with past (51%) and current users (49%) (χ 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. Conclusions: Almost 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.