What is the desired menstrual frequency of women without menstruation-related symptoms?

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the desired menstrual frequency of subjects without menstruation-related symptoms. Materials and Methods: The study included 270 women of reproductive age. Women with menstrual headache, dysmenorrhea, hypermenorrhea and/or premenstrual syndrome were excluded. The study subjects completed a standardized questionnaire. Results: Of the women, 75.6% declared that menstrual periods interfere with their sexual life, 28.8% preferred not having their menstrual period when at work and 48.4% reported that menstrual periods interfere with practicing sports. Given the choice, 28.5% of the women would desire amenorrhea and 27.8% would prefer a reduction in the frequency of menstrual periods. Of the 152 women desiring to reduce menstrual frequency, 73.0% declared that they would accept to use a drug to reduce menstrual frequency. Conclusions: Over 50% of women without menstruation-related symptoms would like to lessen the frequency of menstrual periods and about 50% of them would desire amenorrhea. © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.