Extended and continuous combined contraceptive regimens for menstrual suppression

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Publication Type pre-print
School or College College of Nursing
Department Nursing
Creator Murphy, Patricia A.
Other Author Jacobson, Janet C.; Likis, Frances E.
Title Extended and continuous combined contraceptive regimens for menstrual suppression
Date 2012-01-01
Description Many women have medical indications for menstrual suppression or a personal preference to reduce or eliminate monthly bleeding, which can be achieved with extended and continuous regimens of combined estrogen and progestin contraceptives. Combined contraceptives are traditionally administered in a 28-day cycle with 21 days of a contraceptive pill, vaginal ring, or transdermal patch followed by a hormone-free interval that is usually 7 days. During the hormone-free interval, women either take a placebo pill or do not use their combined contraceptive method. Hormone-related symptoms are higher during the hormone-free interval than the days when the contraceptive is used. Alterations of the standard 28-day cyclic regimen for menstrual suppression include decreasing the frequency of the hormone-free interval, thus extending the time between withdrawal bleeding episodes (extended use), and eliminating the hormone-free interval altogether (continuous use). This article reviews menstrual suppression indications and physiology. Research demonstrating that the effectiveness, safety, and side effects of oral, vaginal, and transdermal extended and continuous regimens are comparable to cyclic regimens is summarized. Findings from studies of women's and health care providers' attitudes toward menstrual suppression are also reviewed. Important topics to include in evidence-based counseling for extended and continuous combined contraceptive use are presented.
Type Text
Publisher Wiley-Blackwell
Volume 57
Issue 6
First Page 585
Last Page 592
Language eng
Bibliographic Citation Jacobson, J. C., Likis, F. E., & Murphy, P. A. (2012). Extended and continuous combined contraceptive regimens for menstrual suppression. Journal of Midwifery and Womens Health, 57(6), 585-92. Nov./Dec.
Rights Management (c) Wiley-Blackwell The definitive version is available at www3.interscience.wiley.com
Format Medium application/pdf
Format Extent 1,416,191 bytes
Identifier uspace,18146
ARK ark:/87278/s6mw5s7m
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Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6mw5s7m
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