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Table 2 Sample distribution and reported intensity of menstruation according to reproductive and menstrual characteristics

From: Menstrual bleeding patterns: A community-based cross-sectional study among women aged 18-45 years in Southern Brazil

  

Reported intensity menstrual flow

Characteristic

N (%)

Heavy

Normal

Light

p

  

304 (35.3)

340 (39.4)

218 (25.3)

 

Age at menarche (years)

    

0.8

≤ 10

73 (8.5)

32 (43.8)

26 (35.6)

15 (20.5)

 

11-12

363 (42.2)

128 (35.4)

143 (39.5)

91 (25.1)

 

13-14

330 (38.3)

109 (33.1)

134 (40.7)

86 (26.1)

 

≥ 15

95 (11.0)

32 (33.7)

37 (38.9)

26 (27.4)

 

Number of pregnancies

    

<0.001

0

96 (11.1)

23 (24.0)

46 (47.9)

27 (28.1)

 

1-3

603 (69.8)

197 (32.7)

251 (41.6)

155 (25.7)

 

≥ 4

165 (19.1)

84 (51.5)

43 (26.4)

36 (22.1)

 

Number of abortions

    

0.3

0

588 (76.6)

215 (36.6)

233 (39.7)

139 (23.7)

 

≥1

180 (23.4)

66 (36.9)

61 (34.1)

52 (29.1)

 

Contraceptive method currently in use1

    

<0.001

None

26 (3.2)

14 (53.9)

6 (23.1)

6 (23.1)

 

Pill

416 (51.5)

102 (24.5)

177 (42.6)

137 (32.9)

 

IUD

44 (5.5)

25 (56.8)

10 (22.7)

9 (20.5)

 

Tubal ligation

93 (11.5)

63 (68.5)

16 (17.4)

13 (14.1)

 

Injectable hormones

35 (4.3)

8 (22.9)

17 (48.6)

10 (28.6)

 

Male preservative

121 (15.0)

46 (38.3)

52 (43.3)

22 (18.3)

 

Others

73 (9.0)

23 (31.5)

40 (54.8)

10 (13.7)

 

Duration of menstrual periods (days)

    

<0.001

≤ 3

332 (38.4)

67 (20.2)

124 (37.5)

140 (42.3)

 

4

197 (22.8)

50 (25.4)

104 (52.8)

43 (21.8)

 

≥ 5

335 (38.8)

187 (56.0)

112 (33.5)

35 (10.5)

 

Extra-menstrual bleeding

    

0.001

No

788 (91.2)

262 (33.3)

320 (40.7)

204 (26.0)

 

Yes

76 (8.8)

42 (55.3)

20 (26.3)

14 (18.4)

 

Presence of blood clots

    

<0.001

No

398 (46.2)

98 (24.6)

181 (45.5)

119 (29.9)

 

Yes

464 (53.8)

206 (44.4)

159 (34.3)

99 (21.3)

 
  1. 1Currently pregnant (n = 35) and women at menopause (n = 19) excluded