OBJECTIVE: Menorrhagia is defined in terms of statistical"abnormality"as blood loss of >80 mL. We examined the usefulness of this definition in women who were referred to gynecology clinics with heavy periods. STUDY DESIGN: A questionnaire survey of 952 menstrual complaint referrals at 3 hospital gynaecology clinics in Glasgow and Edinburgh included 226 women with heavy periods who had also consented to the measurement of their blood loss. RESULTS: Women reported a range of problems with their periods, but absolute volume (31.2%) was less prevalent than period pain (37.5%), mood change (35.7%), and change in the amount (volume) of the period (33.8%). Although there were associations with volume, these associations were due to the heaviest and lightest of the loss groups, whereas the 2 groups with loss either side of 80 mL were virtually indistinguishable. CONCLUSION: The 80-mL criterion for menorrhagia is of limited clinical usefulness because it is prognostic neither for problems nor iron status and apparently does not guide management.
OBJECTIVE:Menorrhagia is defined in terms of statistical"abnormality"as blood loss of >80 mL. We examined the usefulness of this definition in women who were referred to gynecology clinics with heavy periods. STUDY DESIGN: A questionnaire survey of 952 menstrual complaint referrals at 3 hospital gynaecology clinics in Glasgow and Edinburgh included 226 women with heavy periods who had also consented to the measurement of their blood loss. RESULTS:Women reported a range of problems with their periods, but absolute volume (31.2%) was less prevalent than period pain (37.5%), mood change (35.7%), and change in the amount (volume) of the period (33.8%). Although there were associations with volume, these associations were due to the heaviest and lightest of the loss groups, whereas the 2 groups with loss either side of 80 mL were virtually indistinguishable. CONCLUSION: The 80-mL criterion for menorrhagia is of limited clinical usefulness because it is prognostic neither for problems nor iron status and apparently does not guide management.
Authors: Kristen A Matteson; Christina A Raker; Melissa A Clark; Kevin D Frick Journal: J Womens Health (Larchmt) Date: 2013-09-19 Impact factor: 2.681
Authors: Joyce T Bromberger; Laura L Schott; Karen A Matthews; Howard M Kravitz; John F Randolph; Sioban Harlow; Sybil Crawford; Robin Green; Hadine Joffe Journal: Menopause Date: 2012-09 Impact factor: 2.953
Authors: Sherif A El-Nashar; Matthew R Hopkins; Douglas J Creedon; William A Cliby; Abimbola O Famuyide Journal: J Minim Invasive Gynecol Date: 2009 Nov-Dec Impact factor: 4.137