Survey study, 2011
How do women feel about menstruation and does it interfere with daily life?
Many women dislike menstruation mainly because it is inconvenient or uncomfortable, and it interferes with school (22%) and relationships (43%), though some women value it for confirming health.
What they did
Interviewed 885 Brazilian women aged 18-45 who were currently menstruating and non-pregnant. They used a semi-structured questionnaire to ask about attitudes toward menstruation and interference with daily activities like school and relationships.
What they found
22% reported interference with school activities and 43% reported interference with relationships. The most common reason for disliking menstruation was inconvenience or discomfort. Some women liked having periods because it made them feel healthy and confirmed they were not pregnant. Variables associated with liking menstruation were attending less than 8 years of school, low economic class, having more than one child, and no history of premenstrual tension.
What it means for you
Most women experience some daily interference from menstruation, but attitudes vary widely. Results are from Brazil and may not reflect other countries.
22%
interference with school
43%
interference with relationships
885
women interviewed
About the study
- Original title
- Menstrual bleeding: perspective of Brazilian women
- Authors
- Makuch MY, Osis MJ, Petta CA et al.
- Journal
- Contraception
- Year
- 2011
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 885
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2011.03.010
Topics
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