Acute Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Research Articles

Reproductive health and hemostatic issues in women and girls with congenital factor VII deficiency: A systematic review

BackgroundCongenital factor VII (FVII) deficiency is an inherited bleeding disorder, with heterogenous bleeding symptoms. Women with FVII deficiency face hemostatic challenges during menstruation, ovulation, and childbirth. This systematic review evaluated prevalence and management of bleeding symptoms associated with gynecological and obstetric issues in women with FVII deficiency. MethodsDatabases (BIOSIS Previews, Current Contents Search, Embase, and MEDLINE) were searched for studies reporting FVII deficiency and gynecological or obstetric issues in women. Articles were screened using Joanna Briggs Institute checklists and relevant data extracted. ResultsOne hundred fourteen women were identified from 62 publications. Forty‐six women had severe deficiency (FVII:C < 5% or <5 IU/dl). Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) was the most common bleeding symptom (n = 94; 82%); hospitalization and urgent medical/surgical interventions for acute HMB episodes were required in 16 women (14%). Seven women reported ovarian bleeding (6%); other bleeding symptoms varied. Patient management was inconsistent and included hemostatic and hormonal treatments. Only four women (7%) reporting vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) occurred following 12/45 deliveries (27%; 5 [42%] requiring blood transfusion) and was not necessarily prevented by prophylaxis (8 women). ConclusionWomen with congenital FVII deficiency have an increased risk of HMB, ovarian bleeding, and PPH, impacting quality of life. Recognition of a bleeding disorder as the cause is often delayed. Management of bleeding complications is heterogeneous due to lack of treatment guidelines. Harmonizing severity classification of FVII deficiency may help standardize treatment strategies and development of specific guidelines for these women.

A Retrospective Comparison of Time to Cessation of Acute Heavy Menstrual Bleeding in Adolescents Following Two Dose Regimens of Combined Oral Hormonal Therapy

Study ObjectiveAlthough multiple hormonal treatment strategies are effective in decreasing heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) in adolescents, few studies have compared the relative effectiveness of hormone therapy on the basis of dose. DesignRetrospective chart review SettingUrban tertiary care institution ParticipantsAdolescents aged 9–19 years with acute HMB and anemia in 2008–2018 InterventionsWe used billing codes to identify encounters for acute HMB with hemoglobin less than 12 mg/dl and reviewed initial treatment and time until resolution of acute HMB. We excluded patients who had previously used gonadal steroids or did not complete follow-up. We then compared patients who received combined oral ethinyl estradiol with progestin (EE/P) in standard dosing (EE ≤35 mcg/day) vs taper dosing (EE >35mcg/day in any step-down regimen). Main Outcome MeasuresTime until patient-reported resolution of acute HMB, measured in days from initial treatment ResultsOf 207 patients with vaginal bleeding and anemia, 90 met the criteria for review of therapy type and dose. Users of combined EE/P were hormone-naïve in 28/33 (84.8%) of those who initiated standard EE/P and 22/32 (68.8%) who initiated taper dosing. Bleeding duration was available for 15/28 (53.6%) and 18/22 (81.8%). Resolution of HMB occurred in 0–9 days with standard dosing (mean ±SD 2.1 ± 2.3 days) versus 1–15 days for taper dosing (4.9 ± 4.7; p = 0.04). Excluding six outliers of zero or more than 10 days, HMB ceased by 2.6 and 3 days (n = 12 and 15; p = 0.62). ConclusionCurrently recommended higher dose combined hormonal regimens do not appear to shorten the time to resolution of acute HMB in adolescents.

Ormeloxifene in acute heavy menstrual bleeding in menopausal transition

Background: Ormeloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, is a safer, cost effective and convenient dosing medical therapy in heavy menstrual bleeding of acute abnormal uterine bleeding.&#x0D; Aims and Objective: The study aimed to find the effectiveness of Ormeloxifene as 1st line therapy for heavy menstrual bleeding in menopausal transition women to prevent unnecessary hysterectomies and improve quality of life.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted at Lumbini Medical College for a period of one year. Sixty-five cases of acute Abnormal Uterine Bleeding with heavy menstruation during menopausal transition period were provided with Ormeloxifene therapy of 60 milligrams dose two times per week after evaluating pre treatment hemoglobin percentage, Pictorial Blood Loss Assessment Chart (PBAC) score and endometrial thickness. The dose of the drug was reduced to 60 mg weekly after 3rd month if subjective improvement was documented and continued for further 3 months.&#x0D; Results: There was a statistically significant reduction in mean PBAC score, mean endometrial thickness and rise in hemoglobin level. Eighty percentages of women had marked subjective improvement of symptoms, 87.7% women had reduction of blood clots, 15. 8% women had relief from dysmenorrheal pain and 50.8% women had regularization of menstrual pattern after 6 months. Amenorrhea (25.3%) was the most common side effect reported in 6 months therapy.&#x0D; Conclusion: Ormeloxifene is an effective 1st line medical therapy in acute heavy menstrual bleeding in menopausal transition women.

Letter to: Successful Management of Acute Heavy Menstrual Bleeding with Foley’s Catheter of a Patient under Combined Antiplatelet Therapy for Cardiac Disease: A Case Report

Letter to: Successful Management of Acute Heavy Menstrual Bleeding with Foley’s Catheter of a Patient under Combined Antiplatelet Therapy for Cardiac Disease: A Case Report

Successful Management of Acute Heavy Menstrual Bleeding with Foley’s Catheter of a Patient under Combined Antiplatelet Therapy for Cardiac Disease: A Case Report

Successful Management of Acute Heavy Menstrual Bleeding with Foley’s Catheter of a Patient under Combined Antiplatelet Therapy for Cardiac Disease: A Case Report

Clinical management of woman with bleeding disorders: A survey among European haemophilia treatment centres.

IntroductionThe impact of bleeding for women with bleeding disorders (WBD) is of increasing focus and importance. Despite this, optimal management strategies are unclear and knowledge gaps persist.AimTo examine practices and define research priorities on diagnosis and management of WBD in Europe.MethodsAn electronic survey on clinical management of WBD was sent to 136 European haemophilia treatment centres (HTCs), including open questions on knowledge gaps and research priorities.ResultsFifty‐nine HTCs from 12 Western (WE) and 13 Central/Eastern European (CEE) countries completed the survey. Less than half runs a joint clinic (24 HTCs, 42%). Most centres without a joint clinic have a named obstetrician (81%) and/or gynaecologist (75%) available for collaboration. Overall 18/54 (33%) European HTCs do not offer preimplantation genetic diagnosis. Third trimester amniocentesis to guide obstetric management is available 28/54 HTCs (52%), less frequent in CEE compared to WE countries (5/17 vs 23/37, P = .03). 53% of HTCs (28/53) reported that only 0%‐25% of WBD seek medical advice for heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB). An algorithm managing acute HMB in WBD is lacking in 22/53 (42%) HTCs. The main reported knowledge and research gaps are lack of awareness & education on WBD among patients and caregivers, optimal diagnostic strategies and effective multidisciplinary management of pregnancy & HMB.ConclusionJoint clinics, prenatal diagnostics and algorithms for managing acute HMB are lacking in many European HTCs. HMB may be an underestimated issue. This survey highlights the need to prioritize improvement of knowledge and patient care for WBD across Europe.

Obtaining a Von Willebrand Evaluation at Time of Acute Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Presentation Leads to Overestimation of Von Willebrand Levels

Background: Acute heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is common for adolescent females, with about a quarter of menstruating females seeking care for HMB over a 3-year time period (O'Brien et al, Blood 2018). Inherited bleeding disorders are common in this adolescent population, identified in 24.6% referred for hematologic evaluation (Zia et al, Blood 2016). The timing and contents of the hemostatic workup for acute HMB in adolescents is extrapolated from adults, although the causes of acute HMB varies significantly between adult women and adolescents. A consensus statement by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends obtaining a variety of hemostatic tests including CBC, von Willebrand studies, factor VIII, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, and thyroid stimulating hormone at the time of presentation (Committee Opinion 557, ACOG 2011). Factor VIII and Von Willebrand studies are known to be increased in the setting of physiologic stress and supplemental estrogen use, questioning their diagnostic accuracy in the setting of acute bleeding. Repeat testing is often required for diagnosis of von Willebrand disease A von Willebrand factor antigen (VWF:Ag) or von Willebrand factor ristocetin cofactor level over 100IU/dL has been shown to have a negative predictive value (NPV) of 95%.(Doshi et al, ASH 2018). Methods: As part of a quality improvement initiative to improve the evaluation and management of adolescents with HMB at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA), we instituted an acute HMB protocol for emergency department (ED) and inpatient use. This protocol was implemented at all CHOA emergency departments in metropolitan Atlanta. Subjects were included if they presented with acute HMB as determined by an adapted Philip Menorrhagia Screening Tool. Subjects with a previously diagnosed bleeding disorder, ITP, active rheumatologic disease, cancer, or anticoagulant use were excluded. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographics and clinical characteristics. Patients with a positive Philip screen underwent a uniform bleeding inventory and a standardized set of laboratory tests based on the adult consensus statement. Inpatient and outpatient treatments were standardized by hemoglobin level and symptomology. Follow up with hematology and gynecology was encouraged for all. Data was extracted using various heavy menstrual bleeding ICD-10 codes from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2018. Individuals with von Willebrand studies at baseline and follow up were identified. T-tests and Wilcoxon rank sum tests were utilized to compare VWF:Ag, VWF:RCo and Factor VIII as baseline and follow up. Results: Over a 2-year period, 232 adolescent girls were seen in CHOA EDs for acute HMB with 88 (37.9%) requiring admission and 6 (2.6%) requiring intensive care. The population was primarily African American (63%) with a median age at presentation of 14.8 years (IQR 13.1-16.7). The majority of adolescents had the core hemostatic labs drawn (55.6%) as described per protocol. Thirty-six individuals had baseline and follow up VWD studies. Those with repeat VWD studies were younger (median 13.2 years vs 15.0 years), more commonly white (44.4% vs 21.2%), were more likely to have been admitted (83.3% vs 29.6%) and more likely to have had a hematology follow up appointment (63.4% vs 7.8%). Mean and median VWF:Ag, VWF:RCo and Factor VIII were significantly higher at presentation with HMB than at follow up. Of those with a baseline VWF:Ag and/or VWF:RCo &amp;gt;100, there was a 96.4% NPV for the diagnosis of VWD. For individuals whose initial VWF:Ag and VCWF:RCo were both &amp;gt;100, there was 100% NPV. Conclusions: Among the adolescents cared for at our institution with acute HMB who had confirmatory VWD testing, initial VWF:Ag and VWF:RCo &amp;gt;100 ruled out VWD based on repeat testing. However, poor adherence with hematology or gynecology follow-up may give false reassurance against a diagnosis of VWD. Further improvements of our quality improvement initiative will include a limited hemostatic workup at presentation with a focus on improved adherence to follow up and subsequent hemostatic evaluation. Disclosures White: National Hemophilia Foundation: Other: Shire Clinical Fellowship Program. Sidonio:Kedrion: Research Funding; Novo Nordisk: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda-Shire: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Bioverativ: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Genetech: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Octapharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Grifols: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Biomarin: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Uniqure: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Screening and Management of Bleeding Disorders in Adolescents With Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: ACOG COMMITTEE OPINION SUMMARY, Number 785.

Heavy menstrual bleeding is defined as excessive menstrual blood loss that interferes with a woman's physical, social, emotional, or material quality of life. If obstetrician-gynecologists suspect that a patient has a bleeding disorder, they should work in coordination with a hematologist for laboratory evaluation and medical management. Evaluation of adolescent girls who present with heavy menstrual bleeding should include assessment for anemia from blood loss, including serum ferritin, the presence of an endocrine disorder leading to anovulation, and evaluation for the presence of a bleeding disorder. Physical examination of the patient who presents with acute heavy menstrual bleeding should include assessment of hemodynamic stability, including orthostatic blood pressure and pulse measurements. The first-line approach to acute bleeding in the adolescent is medical management; surgery should be reserved for those who do not respond to medical therapy. Use of antifibrinolytics such as tranexamic acid or aminocaproic acid in oral and intravenous form may be used to stop bleeding. Nonmedical procedures should be considered when there is a lack of response to medical therapy, if the patient is clinically unstable despite initial measures, or when severe heavy bleeding warrants further investigation, such as an examination under anesthesia. After correction of acute heavy menstrual bleeding, maintenance hormonal therapy can include combined hormonal contraceptives, oral and injectable progestins, and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine devices. Obstetrician-gynecologists can provide important guidance to premenarchal and postmenarchal girls and their families about issues related to menses and should counsel all adolescent patients with a bleeding disorder about safe medication use and future surgical considerations.

Screening and Management of Bleeding Disorders in Adolescents With Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: ACOG COMMITTEE OPINION, Number 785.

Heavy menstrual bleeding is defined as excessive menstrual blood loss that interferes with a woman's physical, social, emotional, or material quality of life. If obstetrician-gynecologists suspect that a patient has a bleeding disorder, they should work in coordination with a hematologist for laboratory evaluation and medical management. Evaluation of adolescent girls who present with heavy menstrual bleeding should include assessment for anemia from blood loss, including serum ferritin, the presence of an endocrine disorder leading to anovulation, and evaluation for the presence of a bleeding disorder. Physical examination of the patient who presents with acute heavy menstrual bleeding should include assessment of hemodynamic stability, including orthostatic blood pressure and pulse measurements. The first-line approach to acute bleeding in the adolescent is medical management; surgery should be reserved for those who do not respond to medical therapy. Use of antifibrinolytics such as tranexamic acid or aminocaproic acid in oral and intravenous form may be used to stop bleeding. Nonmedical procedures should be considered when there is a lack of response to medical therapy, if the patient is clinically unstable despite initial measures, or when severe heavy bleeding warrants further investigation, such as an examination under anesthesia. After correction of acute heavy menstrual bleeding, maintenance hormonal therapy can include combined hormonal contraceptives, oral and injectable progestins, and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine devices. Obstetrician-gynecologists can provide important guidance to premenarchal and postmenarchal girls and their families about issues related to menses and should counsel all adolescent patients with a bleeding disorder about safe medication use and future surgical considerations.

Intrauterine Foley Balloon Catheter to Manage Acute Heavy Menstrual Bleeding in a Perimenarchal 10-Year-Old Girl

Intrauterine balloon tamponade is commonly used to treat postpartum hemorrhage refractory to pharmacologic interventions. It has not been well-studied in girls or adolescents for treatment of acute heavy menstrual bleeding. A 10-year old girl presented with heavy menstrual bleeding that did not respond to medical management. Placement of a Foley catheter for intrauterine tamponade was used to control bleeding. She was subsequently diagnosed with a platelet function disorder. Foley catheter placement is a low-risk, low-cost, and readily accessible option for intrauterine tamponade to consider for young girls and adolescents with acute heavy menstrual bleeding resistant to medical management.

Acute Heavy Menstrual Bleeding as Presenting Symptom of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Acute Heavy Menstrual Bleeding as Presenting Symptom of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Retrospective Review of Norethindrone Use in Adolescents

Study ObjectiveOur objectives were to review norethindrone use in an adolescent population in a tertiary care center and to assess the effectiveness of the norethindrone taper in the management of acute heavy menstrual bleeding in adolescents. DesignRetrospective cohort study. SettingTertiary care center. Participants176 adolescent females prescribed norethindrone 0.35 mg between July 2007 and September 2010. InterventionsNone. Main Outcome MeasuresDiscontinuation and irregular bleeding rates. ResultsMean age was 14.8 ± 2.3 years. Most common indication for use was heavy menstrual bleeding (32.9%). Most common reasons for use of a progestin only pill were neurologic (27.8%) and cardiovascular diseases (17.6%). Discontinuation rate was 48.5%, most commonly for irregular bleeding (54.5%). Irregular bleeding and systemic side effects were associated with discontinuation (P = .006 and .003 respectively). No serious adverse events were reported. Twenty patients required norethindrone taper for heavy bleeding; of this group 78.9% experienced complete cessation of bleeding within 7 days. ConclusionsOur findings support use of norethindrone as an effective alternative among adolescents with contraindications to administration of estrogen and for whom control of acute heavy menstrual bleeding is desired.