title: Menstrual-cycle-related symptoms: a review of the rationale for continuous use of oral contraceptives.
abstract: As many as 80% of reproductive-aged women experience physical changes associated with menstruation, and 20% to 40% experience menstrual-cycle-related symptoms. Decades of research in women with menstrual disorders, such as dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia, have shown that continuous use of oral contraceptives (OCs), without the hormone-free interval, is a safe and effective method to relieve these symptoms and ultimately induce amenorrhea in many women. If given the opportunity, a majority of women would opt for extended-cycle or continuous regimens, and numerous clinical trials have shown that continuous OC regimens induce amenorrhea in 80% to 100% of women by 10 to 12 months of use. For women who do not wish to become pregnant, a continuous OC regimen should be an available option.
authors.affiliation: Contraceptive Research and Development Program, Clinical Research Center, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA. archerdf@evms.edu
authors.forename: David F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Archer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000139:chemically induced*; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal