Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026

Fertility Preservation Through Oocyte Vitrification: Clinical and Laboratory Perspectives
Published on: September 16, 2021
[Reducing the frequency of menses: extended contraception, a review]
1Institut Curie, 26 rue d'Ulm, Paris cedex 05, France. pascale.this@curie.net
Abstract:
The extended use of combined hormonal contraception contributes to a reduction of the frequency of menses by shortening the hormone free interval or the number of withdrawal weeks by year. Numerous regimen have been studied, with cycles from 49 to 365days. Most extended/continuous cycle regimens result in fewer scheduled bleeding episodes but in more unscheduled bleedings or spottings, that decrease with time. An extended contraception may be effective in reducing some menstrual symptoms such as menorrhagia or dysmenorrhea, or some menstrual related symptoms such as migraine headaches. This article reviews existing data about extended combined hormonal contraception, women's and providers' attitude, bleeding pattern, efficacy and tolerance.
Related Concept Videos
Birth Control Methods
Intrauterine Drug Delivery Systems
Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH release.
The Menstrual Cycle
The menstrual phase occurs from days 1 to 5 and involves the shedding of the stratum functionalis, as a uterine...
Ovarian Cycle
Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle. At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...
