Researchers from the University of Oregon have found that more women aged between 18 and above have begun opting for methods that alter their menstrual cycles.
Owing to busy schedules and a hectic social life, women tend to either delay or skip their monthly menstruation by using hormonal contraceptives pills. Now, a new study conducted by researchers from the University of Oregon has found that in the last 5 years more women have begun using such methods to alter their menstrual cycle.
Through the study, researchers found that women tend to skip or delay their monthly menstruation more out of convenience than to avoid its symptoms and what's even more disturbing, reveal the authors of the study, is the fact that many of these women learn about altering their menstrual cycle from nonmedical sources, which is medically highly inadvisable.
"These findings emphasize the need for health care providers to carefully interview combined hormonal contraceptive users on how they are using their method - for example, many women may be skipping pills to extend their cycles," said researcher Christopher Minson, a professor of human physiology at UO. "With a greater understanding of the issues, health care providers may be able to more effectively engage in conversations with college-aged women and educate them about available options."
Studies that have concluded that reducing the occurrence of menstruation can actually prove to be beneficial for women as well as being completely safe has been cited as one of the chief reasons why more women are opting for pills and contraceptives to delay their bleeding period.
The study, which was conducted on undergraduate and graduate studies found that more than 17 percent of them said they altered their menstrual cycle by using contraceptives like pills vaginal contraceptive rings and transdermal contraceptive patches.
Half of these women said they do so for convenience. Another 28.9 percent stated personal reasons for altering their cycles while 16.7 percent said they do it to reduce menstrual symptoms.
This research has prompted researchers to suggest that proper education and information regarding the use of hormonal contraceptives should be given to women, especially young girls.
