Wednesday, December 8, 2004

GAINESVILLE, Fla., Dec 07, 2004 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Nearly two-thirds of women would like to skip some of their monthly periods and a third would stop them altogether if it was safe, U.S. researchers have found.

An extended-course oral contraceptive, which can be used for menstrual suppression, was approved in the fall of 2003. But most of the 1,487 women who took part in the study did not know it was possible to use contraceptives to eliminate some of their monthly periods. Ninety percent of the 512 healthcare providers surveyed were aware of the drug and 70 percent had already prescribed it to women to suppress their periods.

Both physicians and patients also differed in their views on whether monthly periods were necessary for good health. Half of the female patients thought so, but only 7 percent of healthcare providers agreed.

One thing on which the women and providers agree is the need for more research on menstrual suppression to determine whether the practice has long-term effects on health or future fertility.

The study, co-authored by University of Florida researchers, appears in the current issue of the journal Conception

Copyright 2004 by United Press International.