PRAGUE, October 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
Results from a new study at the 11th Congress of the European Society of Gynecology this week demonstrate that the majority of women in Europe prefer to have less frequent periods. The study recruited 2,883 women aged 18-45 years old from Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, Poland and Spain.[1] Results demonstrated that the majority (57%) of those surveyed would prefer to have periods less than once a month. About 1 out of 5[1] women would prefer to have four periods a year and over a quarter would opt for no periods at all.[1]
According to Dr Christian Fiala, Gynecologist and Medical Director, Gynmed Clinic, Vienna, "For many women, monthly bleeding is painful and inconvenient, affecting all aspects of life. This new survey confirms earlier research that most women prefer to have fewer and shorter periods, despite the fact that monthly periods are considered natural. There is no medical reason for those women on the oral contraceptive pill to have monthly periods."
The Inconvenience due to women'S monthlY bleeding (ISY) study,[1] which explored women's attitudes towards frequency of menstrual bleeding across Europe, was conducted by an independent research company and was supported by Teva Pharmaceuticals Europe.
Women's attitudes may be affected by variables such as age and nationality. Women between the ages of 36 and 45 years express a greater preference for no periods at all compared with women less than 36 years old.[1] There were country differences between the groups, and, overall, there was a greater preference for no menstruation in Austria, Belgium and France than in Italy, Spain and Poland.[1]
Of the 2,883 women surveyed, 1,319 women were on a combined hormonal contraceptive (mostly an oral contraceptive pill, 'the pill') and 1,564 were on a non-hormonal contraceptive or no contraceptive at all.[1] The ISY survey also explored women's reasons for taking oral contraceptives in addition to preventing pregnancy. A considerable proportion of women surveyed also take the "pill" to alleviate period-related symptoms:[1] 42% of women cited menstrual irregularities, over one-third (34%) cited pelvic pain, 32% pre-menstrual syndrome and 25% heavy bleeding.[1]
Many women on the pill experience the same kind of symptoms during their monthly cycle as women that are not on the pill. These symptoms increase in frequency during the hormone-free week when the pill-induced bleed occurs. Social life, sex life, work and sporting activities were also key factors influencing preferences regarding bleeding frequency in both groups of women surveyed as part of the ISY study.[1]
Christophe Pelletier, Vice President Women's Health Europe, Teva Pharmaceuticals Europe, commented, "Teva is committed to supporting research to better understand the needs of women of child-bearing age relating to contraception, period management and fertility. The ISY study provides healthcare professionals with important insights into women's preferences and we will continue to support further research of this kind."
NOTES TO EDITORS
About the ISY Study
The ISY study was conducted by Stethos International in February 2015 among 2,883 women between the ages of 18-45 years from Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, Poland and Spain, and was supported by Teva. Of the 2,883 women surveyed, 1,319 were on a combined hormonal contraceptive [oral (87% of women in the group), ring (9%) or patch (5%)] and 1,564 were on a non-hormonal contraceptive or no contraceptives.
About Teva
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. is a leading global pharmaceutical company that delivers high-quality, patient-centric healthcare solutions to millions of patients every day. Headquartered in Israel, Teva is the world's largest generic medicines producer, leveraging its portfolio of more than 1,000 molecules to produce a wide range of generic products in nearly every therapeutic area. In specialty medicines, Teva has a world-leading position in innovative treatments for disorders of the central nervous system, including pain, as well as a strong portfolio of respiratory products. Teva integrates its generics and specialty capabilities in its global research and development division to create new ways of addressing unmet patient needs by combining drug development capabilities with devices, services and technologies. Teva's net revenues in 2014 amounted to $20.3 billion. For more information, visit http://www.tevapharm.com.
About Teva Europe in Women's Health
Teva is committed to becoming a long-term contributor to women's health, with a portfolio focused on all stages of women's lives from contraception and fertility, to menopause and osteoporosis, providing women in Europe with a range of options to support their needs.
Teva's Safe Harbor Statement under the U. S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:
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