Iñaki Lete1, Jackie Calleja2, Ezequiel Pérez-Campos3, Esther de la Viuda4, Roberto Lertxundi5, Mercedes Martínez6, Macarena Quesada7, Rafael Sánchez-Borrego8. 1. a Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , University Hospital of Araba , Vitoria-Gasteiz , Spain. 2. b Bmum Clinic , Madrid , Spain. 3. c Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , Associated University Hospital of Requena , Requena , Spain. 4. d Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , University Hospital of Guadalajara , Guadalajara , Spain. 5. e Euskalduna Clinic , Bilbao , Spain. 6. f Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , Hospital Virgen Macarena , Seville , Spain. 7. g Unit of Sexual and Reproductive Health , Campoamor , Spain. 8. h Diatros Clinic , Barcelona , Spain.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Oral combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs) are available that limit the number of menses when used in a flexible extended regimen. Our aim was to investigate the decision-making processes of women presented with a flexible extended CHC option. METHODS: The FLEXO study is an epidemiological, cross-sectional, multicentre study conducted under typical clinical practice conditions to determine women's acceptance of a flexible continuous CHC regimen versus a cyclical 21/7 day regimen, after receiving standardised information during contraceptive counselling. RESULTS: A total of 1350 women were invited to participate, of whom 1156 were enrolled. Of these, 47.2% chose the flexible extended CHC regimen. Their main reason for choosing this regimen was to reduce the number of menses (25.7%), followed by the desire to avoid symptoms related to menstruation (21.6%). The reasons given for rejecting this regimen were the desire to have monthly menstrual cycles (24.9%) and the fear of becoming pregnant and not being aware of it due to the absence of menstruation (18.1%). CONCLUSION: Many women chose the extended flexible regimen when they received information about this option. Women primarily chose this pattern to relieve or eliminate discomfort related to menstruation.
OBJECTIVE: Oral combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs) are available that limit the number of menses when used in a flexible extended regimen. Our aim was to investigate the decision-making processes of women presented with a flexible extended CHC option. METHODS: The FLEXO study is an epidemiological, cross-sectional, multicentre study conducted under typical clinical practice conditions to determine women's acceptance of a flexible continuous CHC regimen versus a cyclical 21/7 day regimen, after receiving standardised information during contraceptive counselling. RESULTS: A total of 1350 women were invited to participate, of whom 1156 were enrolled. Of these, 47.2% chose the flexible extended CHC regimen. Their main reason for choosing this regimen was to reduce the number of menses (25.7%), followed by the desire to avoid symptoms related to menstruation (21.6%). The reasons given for rejecting this regimen were the desire to have monthly menstrual cycles (24.9%) and the fear of becoming pregnant and not being aware of it due to the absence of menstruation (18.1%). CONCLUSION: Many women chose the extended flexible regimen when they received information about this option. Women primarily chose this pattern to relieve or eliminate discomfort related to menstruation.