title: Association between characteristics of current menses and preference for induced amenorrhea.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several studies suggest that many women would prefer to avoid menses altogether, but few studies have examined the social or clinical predictors of such preference.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 1224 healthy women of reproductive age were surveyed in Brazil, Germany and the United States regarding social, menstrual and reproductive characteristics and preferences for various dimensions of menstruation, including the ideal interval between menses. The extent to which a preference to never bleed was predicted by current experiences with menses was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Long menses, menstrual pain and a perceived high cost of pads and tampons were predictive of preferring amenorrhea over all other menstrual patterns after controlling for age, parity and education. Independent significant associations were also found with increasing degrees of life stress and ever use of injectable contraceptives.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A negative experience with menstruation, a high ranking of life stress and ever use of injectable contraception were independently associated with a preference to avoid menses altogether.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medical Sciences, Universidade de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. ehardy@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hardy
authors.forename: Eliana Maria
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Hebling
authors.forename: Maria Helena
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: de Sousa
authors.forename: Elsbeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kneuper
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Snow
mesh_terms: D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000523:psychology*; D001938:Brazil; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008598:Menstruation / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D008824:Michigan; D012931:Social Environment; D013315:Stress, Psychological