Women's attitudes about menstruation and associated health and behavioral characteristics.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationships between attitudes towards menstruation, health, and behavioral characteristics.


METHODS
The 136 women who completed questionnaires varied in their sexual activity, sexual orientation, and use of hormonal contraception.


RESULTS
Women's estimated cycle length was accurate when compared to observed cycle length (F (3,156) = .05; P = .98). Smokers had decreased durations of flow (P < .01). Depo-Provera users were less likely to view menstruation as natural compared to abstinent, sexually active heterosexuals or those using traditional oral contraception (F (5,141) = 2.43; P = .04).


CONCLUSIONS
Hormonal contraception use, but not sexual orientation, was associated with attitudes about menstruation.
Morrison
Lynn A
LA
Department of Anthropology, University of Hawaii at Hilo, HI 96720-4091, USA. lmorriso@hawaii.edu
Larkspur
Louona
L
Calibuso
Marites J
MJ
Brown
Susan
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008598:Menstruation / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal