Heavy Menstrual Bleeding in the Adolescent

Abstract

Heavy menstrual bleeding is a common presenting problem in the adolescent population. The average age of menarche is between 12 and 13 years. The most common reason for heavy menstrual bleeding soon after menarche is from an immature hypothalamic ovarian access, which spontaneously resolves once cycles become ovulatory. However, the broad differential diagnosis for heavy menses in adolescents includes coagulopathy, thyroid disease, sexually transmitted infections, specifically chlamydia, and chronic medical conditions. Von Willebrand disease is the most common bleeding disorder that can present with heavy menstrual bleeding at menarche or shortly after. A thorough history and physical exam with occasional labs needs to be completed and can assist in narrowing the differential diagnosis. Treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding consists of hormonal and nonhormonal options: combination oral contraceptive pills, patches, or rings taken continuously or cyclically; progesterone-only pills; progesterone implants; progesterone intrauterine devices; cyclic tranexamic acid; cyclic aminocaproic acid; and GnRH agonists with add-back therapy. This review contains 3 tables, and 28 references. Key Words: adolescent menses, anovulation, bleeding disorder, heavy menstrual bleeding, immature hypothalamic ovarian axis, menarche, treatment of heavy menses, Von Willebrand disease