title: Attitudes, knowledge and prescribing habits of Brazilian gynecologists regarding extended-cycle oral contraceptives.
abstract: Extended-cycle and continuous use combined oral contraceptives (COC) have been widely investigated; however, gynecologists' prescribing habits are largely unknown. This study evaluated the opinions and prescribing habits of Brazilian gynecologists regarding extended/continuous COC. Gynecologists caring for reproductive-age women and used to prescribing COC were recruited to an online survey. Overall, 1097 physicians were included. Of these, 93.0% stated that patients requested extended/continuous COC, with 93.9% of the physicians having already prescribed these regimens at least once. Only 67 physicians reported never having prescribed extended/continuous COC. The most common reasons for prescribing extended/continuous COC were "dysmenorrhea", "endometriosis" and "convenience of menstrual suppression". Physicians reported prescribing extended/continuous regimens for 20.7 ± 17.2% of their patients with an indication for COC, postgraduate degree holders being more likely to prescribe extended/continuous regimens than physicians without postgraduate degree (23.6 ± 19.1% versus 20.0 ± 16.7%; p = 0.014). In conclusion, the vast majority of gynecologists prescribe extended/continuous COC. Women often request information from their doctors on the subject. "Convenience of menstrual suppression" is a common reason given for prescribing extended/continuous COC. According to the physicians, the great majority of extended/continuous COC users are satisfied or very satisfied with the regimen prescribed.
authors.affiliation: Gynecology Branch, ABC College of Medicine , Santo André , Brazil and.
authors.forename: Luciano Melo
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Pompei
authors.forename: Cesar Eduardo
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: Marcelo Luis
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Steiner
authors.forename: Rodolfo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Strufaldi
authors.forename: Nilson Roberto de
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Melo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001938:Brazil; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000188:drug therapy; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010820:Physicians; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined