The Intersections Between Contraception & Menstrual Health: An Annotated Bibliography Updated: April 2021 Originally Published: October 2018 A compilation of journal articles, reports, and briefs on the intersection of menstrual health and contraception. Updated by Katie Williams Originally compiled by Sarah McMahon and Lucy Wilson Table of Contents DOCUMENT OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................................... 3 SITUATING IN MENSTRUAL HEALTH & FAMILY PLANNING ............................................................... 4 Overview ........................................................................................................................................ 4 SOCIOLOGICAL CONTEXT ................................................................................................................. 10 Experience with Puberty and Menarche ...................................................................................... 10 Access and Needs ......................................................................................................................... 15 In Emergency Contexts ........................................................................................................... 18 In Schools ................................................................................................................................ 19 Empowerment ........................................................................................................................ 26 BIOLOGICAL CONTEXT ..................................................................................................................... 29 Biological Mechanisms of the Menstrual Cycle ........................................................................... 29 Menstrual Disorders ..................................................................................................................... 35 General .................................................................................................................................... 35 Anemia .................................................................................................................................... 41 Dysmenorrhea ........................................................................................................................ 42 Endometriosis ......................................................................................................................... 46 Heavy Menstrual Bleeding ...................................................................................................... 53 Treatment of Menstrual Disorders .............................................................................................. 61 Urogenital Tract Infections and Linkages with Menstruation ..................................................... 67 CONTRACEPTIVE-INDUCED MENSTRUAL CHANGES (CIMCs) .......................................................... 71 Frequency of Contraceptive-Induced Menstrual Changes (CIMCs) ............................................. 71 Acceptability and User Experiences ............................................................................................. 85 Treatment and Prevention of CIMCs ........................................................................................... 95 PROGRAMMATIC INTERVENTIONS ................................................................................................ 109 Menstrual Health Interventions ................................................................................................. 109 Counseling Including on CIMCs .................................................................................................. 115 www.fhi360.org DOCUMENT OVERVIEW While the areas of contraception and menstruation are closely related, the linkages between the two often remain unappreciated. To help address that gap, this annotated bibliography serves as a collection of relevant literature related to the intersection of contraception and menstrual health. This version (2021) builds on an original document which collected articles and reports using a snowball method, starting with key documents and utilizing reference lists to identify additional resources. The updated version incorporates additional literature primarily focused on contraceptive-induced menstrual changes (CIMCs), the treatment of menstrual disorders and CIMCs, and prevalence of menstrual disorders. There is specific attention given to the literature on prevalence of menstrual disorders in low-income countries. The development of this resource did not involve a systematic review; rather, additional sources were incorporated through literature reviews and via communication with experts in the field. The bibliography begins with background information, with resources included to offer context on the intersection of menstrual health and contraception. It then transitions to a broad overview of the sociological context, primarily of menstrual health. This is followed by biological context, which includes an overview of the biological mechanisms of the menstrual cycle, followed by a review menstrual disorders and their treatment. The next section includes the literature on CIMCs, highlighting frequency, acceptability and user preferences, with a final section on evidence related to programmatic interventions for menstrual health and counseling including on CIMCs. Key themes within these broad categories have been identified and resources are categorized by these themes. Articles are first organized within sections by sub-theme and then by author last name. Articles that fit into multiple themes have been cross-referenced in corresponding sections accordingly. www.fhi360.org SITUATING IN MENSTRUAL HEALTH & FAMILY PLANNING Overview 1. Folger, S. G., Jamieson, D. J., Godfrey, E. M., Zapata, L. B., & Curtis, K. M. (2013). Evidence-based guidance on selected practice recommendations for contraceptive use: Identification of research gaps. Contraception, 87(5), 517-523. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2012.08.003 Introduction: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is developing the US Selected Practice Recommendations (US SPR) for Contraceptive Use, an adaptation of the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) evidence-based SPR guidance addressing contraceptive management issues that, while common, may also be complex or controversial. The recommendations in the US SPR will be based on the best available existing scientific evidence and expert guidance on such issues. The evidence was reviewed at an expert meeting held by the CDC in October 2011. In addition to informing development of recommendations for the US SPR, the meeting also served to identify research gaps for which additional evidence is needed to address or further clarify some common questions on contraceptive management and use. These research gaps are listed in Table 1, categorized by general area of interest. In this paper, we discuss three of the research gaps for purposes of illustration: (a) What are the most effective approaches to improve patient and provider understanding of and adherence to instructions for actions to take following dosing errors with oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) (missed pills), the transdermal contraceptive patch and the contraceptive ring? (b) What are the most effective and feasible approaches for prevention and management of bleeding irregularities among women using hormonal or intrauterine contraception? (c) What are the long-term effectiveness and safety of, and patient satisfaction with, hysteroscopic sterilization? For each of these questions, we discuss the significance of the issue, the type of evidence that is needed and the methodological challenges for conducting the needed research. 2. Geertz, A., Iyer, L., Kasen, P., Mazzola, F., & Peterson, K. (2016). An Opportunity to Address Menstrual Health and Gender Equity. Retrieved from FSG website: https://www.fsg.org/publications/opportunity-address-menstrual-health-and- gender- equity#download-area. Summary: This overview report includes a description of the evidence base on menstrual health challenges and outcomes, the response to these challenges, and opportunities for future programs and innovation. The report addresses the response from multiple sectors including sexual and reproductive health; water, sanitation and hygiene; and education. Within the sexual and reproductive health sector, there is an increasing focus on using puberty as an entry point for reproductive health education. Comprehensive programs that address puberty education and menstrual hygiene are mentioned as “bright spots” in the field. In the conclusion, the authors describe four cross-cutting opportunities to ameliorate menstrual health challenges. These opportunities include: using menstruation as an entry point for other services, encouraging collaboration across menstrual health actors, tackling social norms surrounding puberty, and catalyzing market development. www.fhi360.org 3. Harlow, S. D., & Campbell, O. M. (2000). Menstrual dysfunction: a missed opportunity for improving reproductive health in developing countries. Reproductive Health Matters, 8(15), 142–147. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11424262 Abstract: The field of population has undergone a paradigm shift to a broader focus on reproductive health, which recognises women's self-perceived health needs. Investigations in various countries reveal that menstruation