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Journal of Clinical Medicine Sep 2023Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is a common clinical condition affecting adolescent and adult women and compromising their quality of life. Primary hemostasis disorders,... (Review)
Review
Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is a common clinical condition affecting adolescent and adult women and compromising their quality of life. Primary hemostasis disorders, affecting platelet plug formation, can be the underlying cause of HMB. They comprise a heterogeneous group of diseases with Von Willebrand disease (VWD) being the most commonly diagnosed; other disorders in this group that have been linked to HMB include (a) Glanzmann thrombasthenia, (b) Bernard-Soulier syndrome, (c) Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome, (d) immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), and (e) Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD). Diagnosing these diseases can be challenging, as the basic laboratory investigations can be within the normal range. Thus, identification of specific clinical features and a thorough hematologic workup can be very important, providing the correct diagnosis. Proper diagnosis of the underlying disorder is important, as management may vary accordingly. Although disease-specific management guidelines exist for some of these disorders such as VWD and ITP, due to the rarity of most primary hemostasis disorders, the best approach for the management of HMB in these women remains elusive. The goal of this study was to create an informative, comprehensive review of the primary hemostasis disorders that have been linked to HMB. This study provides a summary of the basic published information regarding epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical phenotype, diagnosis, and treatment of HMB in those diseases and serves as a reference guide for further reading.
PubMed: 37685769
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12175702 -
Thrombosis Journal Jul 2023Lupus anticoagulant-hypoprothrombinemia syndrome (LAHPS) is a rare acquired bleeding disorder secondary to development of antibodies against prothrombin protein, in the...
Lupus anticoagulant-hypoprothrombinemia syndrome (LAHPS) is a rare acquired bleeding disorder secondary to development of antibodies against prothrombin protein, in the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies. We describe the case of a 13-year-old girl who presented with severe menorrhagia and symptomatic anemia. Labs indicated anemia, thrombocytopenia, elevated PT and aPTT, high-titer inhibitor on mixing studies, positive ANA and anti-dsDNA antibodies, along with a triple-positive antiphospholipid antibody panel. Given additional systemic manifestations, systemic lupus erythematosus was diagnosed. High dose steroids and hydroxychloroquine subsequently started. Her clinical course was complicated by femoral deep venous thrombosis and post renal biopsy retroperitoneal hematoma. Further workup revealed low prothrombin level and the diagnosis of lupus anticoagulant hypoprothrombinemia syndrome. In view of suboptimal response to initial immunosuppressive therapy, rituximab was added to her regimen, leading to an improvement in clinical symptoms and resolution of hypoprothrombinemia. She remains recurrence free 5 years from the event.
PubMed: 37461027
DOI: 10.1186/s12959-023-00517-z -
World Journal of Clinical Cases Aug 2023Microwave endometrial ablation (MEA) is a minimally invasive treatment for menorrhagia. It has been covered by the national insurance in Japan since April 2012, and its...
BACKGROUND
Microwave endometrial ablation (MEA) is a minimally invasive treatment for menorrhagia. It has been covered by the national insurance in Japan since April 2012, and its demand has been increasing as the importance of women's health has advanced in society.
AIM
To examine the efficacy of MEA as a treatment option for menorrhagia.
METHODS
In this study, we retrospectively analyzed 76 patients who underwent MEA between January 2016 and March 2020 in our department. MEA was performed in the lithotomy position, under general anesthesia, and with transabdominal ultrasound guidance, including the entire endometrial circumference while confirming endometrial coagulation. The Microtaze AFM-712 and the Sounding Applicator CSA-40CBL-1006200C were used for MEA, and the endometrium was ablated using a Microtaze output of 70 W and coagulation energization time of 50 s per cycle. The visual analog scale (VAS) was used to evaluate menorrhagia, menstrual pain, and treatment satisfaction. Additionally, the hemoglobin (Hb) levels before and after MEA and associated complications were investigated.
RESULTS
The average age of the patients was 44.8 ± 4.0 years. While 14 patients had functional menorrhagia, 62 had organic menorrhagia, of whom 14 had endometrial polyps, 40 had uterine fibroids, and 8 had adenomyosis. The VAS score before MEA and 3 and 6 mo after the procedure were 10, 1.3 ± 1.3, and 1.3 ± 1.3, respectively, for menorrhagia and 10, 1.3 ± 1.8, and 1.3 ± 1.8, respectively, for menstrual pain, both showing improvements ( < 0.001). The MEA Hb level significantly improved from 9.2 ± 4.2 g/dL before MEA to 13.4 ± 1.2 g/dL after MEA ( = 0.003). Treatment satisfaction was high, with a VAS score of 9.6 ± 0.7. Endometritis was observed in one patient after surgery and was treated with antibiotics.
CONCLUSION
MEA is a safe and effective treatment for menorrhagia.
PubMed: 37727709
DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i24.5653 -
PloS One 2023Uterine leiomyomas and adenomyosis are both common and often associated with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), including the symptom of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB)....
BACKGROUND
Uterine leiomyomas and adenomyosis are both common and often associated with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), including the symptom of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB). Understanding the prevalence of adenomyosis in women with uterine leiomyomas could inform clinicians and patients in a way that may improve therapeutic approaches.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the prevalence of adenomyosis in a group of women who underwent hysterectomy for AUB-L, to determine the prevalence of submucous leiomyomas, and to examine the utility of preoperative ultrasound to detect the presence of adenomyosis.
METHODS
The Kaiser Permanente Hysterectomy Database (KPHD) was searched for women aged 18-52 undergoing hysterectomy for leiomyoma-associated chronic AUB (AUB-L) in 2018 and 2019. A target sample of 400 comprised those with at least 3 years in the Health System. Radiologists evaluated preoperative pelvic ultrasound images to determine leiomyoma size and level 2 FIGO type (submucous or other), and the linked electronic medical record abstracted for clinical features, including histopathological evidence of adenomyosis.
RESULTS
Of the 370 subjects that met the study criteria, adenomyosis was identified via histopathology in 170 (45.9%). There was no difference in the adenomyosis prevalence with (47.1%) and without (43.0%) at least one submucous leiomyoma. Subgroup analysis of ultrasound images by an expert radiologist for the presence of adenomyosis demonstrated a positive predictive value of 54.0% and a negative predictive value of 43.4%.
CONCLUSIONS
Adenomyosis was present in almost half of this AUB-L cohort undergoing hysterectomy and was equally prevalent in those with and without submucous leiomyomas as determined by sonographic evaluation. The imaging findings are in accord with prior investigators and demonstrate that 2-D ultrasound is insensitive to the presence of adenomyosis when the uterus is affected by leiomyomas. Further research is necessary to determine the impact of various adenomyosis phenotypes on the presence and severity of the symptom of HMB.
Topics: Humans; Female; Adenomyosis; Retrospective Studies; Uterine Diseases; Leiomyoma; Uterine Neoplasms; Hysterectomy; Menorrhagia; Uterine Hemorrhage
PubMed: 38079406
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294925 -
Journal of Family Medicine and Primary... Oct 2023The term post-tubal sterilization syndrome has been used variously to include abnormal menstrual bleeding, pre-menstrual dysmenorrhea distress, hysterectomy, and...
BACKGROUND
The term post-tubal sterilization syndrome has been used variously to include abnormal menstrual bleeding, pre-menstrual dysmenorrhea distress, hysterectomy, and miscellaneous other conditions like the need for recanalization, the feeling of regret, and menopausal syndrome.
OBJECTIVES
To compare the menstrual disorders in post-tubal ligated and non-ligated women and also to compare the histopathology of endometrium in both post-tubal ligated and non-ligated groups in order to compare the menstrual disorders.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
It is a comparative cross-sectional study on 200 women between 30 and 50 years, divided into two groups and further into two sub-groups in each group. Group 1 includes cases (post-tubal ligated), and group 2 includes controls (non-tubal ligated); sub-group I includes patients with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), and sub-group II includes patients without AUB. Data were recorded using standard performa along with investigations and detailed examination.
RESULTS
In the case group (post-tubal ligated), maximum patients of 39.22% were having polymenorrhea and 29.41% patients had menorrhagia, whereas in the control group (non-tubal ligated), maximum patients of 38.78% had polymenorrhea and 30.61% had menorrhagia, respectively. However, the difference is statistically non-significant ( value = 1.00).
CONCLUSION
Our study suggests that the incidence of menstrual disorders did not differ significantly with tubal ligation. The patients worried about the effects of tubal ligation on their future life that must be counseled and that tubal ligation has no adverse effect on their life including their menstrual pattern. The findings of the study help family physicians in educating the clientele. We also recommend large studies with multiple centers so as to give statistically significant findings of associations.
PubMed: 38074221
DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_880_23 -
BMC Women's Health Feb 2024Adolescent heavy menstrual bleeding(HMB), menorrhagia or abnormal uterine bleeding commonly occur in adolescent women. The differential diagnosis can be challenging. The... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Adolescent heavy menstrual bleeding(HMB), menorrhagia or abnormal uterine bleeding commonly occur in adolescent women. The differential diagnosis can be challenging. The pneumonic: PALM-COEIN (polyp, adenomyosis, leiomyoma, malignancy and hyperplasia, coagulopathy, ovulatory dysfunction, endometrial, iatrogenic, and not yet classified), is commonly used but it does not stratify as to the likelihood of a disorder. We have sought to develop a probability-based differential diagnosis for Adolescent HMB, menorrhagia or abnormal uterine bleeding.
METHODS
A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, and SCOPUS databases. Case series describing adolescents from 10-19 years of age with HMB, menorrhagia or abnormal uterine bleeding was acceptable if: more than 10 patients were included; editorials, case reports, and secondary sources such as review articles, or book chapters were excluded. No language filter was used, but an English abstract was required. The etiology of HMB, menorrhagia or abnormal uterine bleeding, and the country of origin was extracted from articles that met inclusion criteria. Cumulative rate estimates were determined by Bayesian probability modeling.
RESULTS
Seventeen full text articles were reviewed in detail; 2,770 patients were included. The most frequent causes of HMB were Ovarian Uterine Disorders (23.7%; 95% CredI 22-25.5%), Coagulation Disorders (19.4%; 95% CredI 17.8-21.1%), and Platelet Disorders (6.23%; 95% CredI 5.27-7.27%) with 45.9% (95% CredI 43.8-47.%9) of the cases of indeterminate origin.
CONCLUSIONS
The leading causes of HMB in healthy adolescent females were varied. The sub-analysis identified distinct etiologies, suggesting that multiple factors must be considered in the evaluation of HMB. While PALM-COEIN (polyp, adenomyosis, leiomyoma, malignancy and hyperplasia, coagulopathy, ovulatory dysfunction, endometrial, iatrogenic, and not yet classified) provides us with a comprehensive picture of the possible causes of HMB in females, this systematic review assigns probabilities to the etiologies of HMB in adolescent females, providing physicians with a more focused and efficient pathway to diagnosis.
Topics: Female; Adolescent; Humans; Menorrhagia; Adenomyosis; Bayes Theorem; Hyperplasia; Leiomyoma; Polyps; Iatrogenic Disease
PubMed: 38378571
DOI: 10.1186/s12905-024-02921-7 -
American Journal of Obstetrics and... Feb 2024In the LIBERTY Long-Term Extension study, once-daily relugolix combination therapy (40 mg relugolix, estradiol 1 mg, norethindrone acetate 0.5 mg) substantially improved... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
In the LIBERTY Long-Term Extension study, once-daily relugolix combination therapy (40 mg relugolix, estradiol 1 mg, norethindrone acetate 0.5 mg) substantially improved uterine fibroid-associated heavy menstrual bleeding throughout the 52-week treatment period in the overall study population.
OBJECTIVE
Black or African American women typically experience a greater extent of disease and symptom burden of uterine fibroids vs other racial groups and have traditionally been underrepresented in clinical trials. This secondary analysis aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of relugolix combination therapy in the subgroup population of Black or African American women with uterine fibroids in the LIBERTY Long-Term Extension study.
STUDY DESIGN
Black or African American premenopausal women (aged 18-50 years) with uterine fibroids and heavy menstrual bleeding who completed the 24-week randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind LIBERTY 1 (identifier: NCT03049735) or LIBERTY 2 (identifier: NCT03103087) trials were eligible to enroll in the 28-week LIBERTY Long-Term Extension study (identifier: NCT03412890), in which all women received once-daily, open-label relugolix combination therapy. The primary endpoint of this subanalysis was the proportion of Black or African American treatment responders: women who achieved a menstrual blood loss volume of <80 mL and at least a 50% reduction in menstrual blood loss volume from the pivotal study baseline to the last 35 days of treatment by pivotal study randomized treatment group. The secondary outcomes included rates of amenorrhea and changes in symptom burden and quality of life.
RESULTS
Overall, 241 of 477 women (50.5%) enrolled in the LIBERTY Long-Term Extension study self-identified as Black or African American. In Black or African American women receiving continuous relugolix combination therapy for up to 52 weeks, 58 of 70 women (82.9%; 95% confidence interval, 72.0%-90.8%) met the treatment responder criteria for reduction in heavy menstrual bleeding (primary endpoint). A substantial reduction in menstrual blood loss volume from the pivotal study baseline to week 52 was demonstrated (least squares mean percentage change: 85.0%); 64.3% of women achieved amenorrhea; 59.1% of women with anemia at the pivotal study baseline achieved a substantial improvement (>2 g/dL) in hemoglobin levels; and decreased symptom severity and distress because of uterine fibroid-associated symptoms and improvements in health-related quality of life through 52 weeks were demonstrated. The most frequently reported adverse events during the cumulative 52-week treatment period were hot flush (12.9%), headache (5.7%), and hypertension (5.7%). Bone mineral density was preserved through 52 weeks.
CONCLUSION
Once-daily relugolix combination therapy improved uterine fibroid-associated heavy menstrual bleeding in most Black or African American women who participated in the LIBERTY Long-Term Extension study. The safety and efficacy profile of relugolix combination therapy in Black or African American women was consistent with previously published results from the overall study population through 52 weeks. Findings from this subanalysis will assist shared decision-making by helping providers and Black or African American women understand the efficacy and safety of relugolix combination therapy as a pharmacologic option for the management of uterine fibroid-associated symptoms.
Topics: Female; Humans; Amenorrhea; Black or African American; Leiomyoma; Menorrhagia; Phenylurea Compounds; Pyrimidinones; Quality of Life; Uterine Neoplasms; Adolescent; Young Adult; Adult; Middle Aged
PubMed: 37863160
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.10.030 -
The Lancet. Global Health Nov 2023Data on the prevalence of heavy menstrual bleeding in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) are scarce. We aimed to assess the validity of a scale to measure...
Prevalence of heavy menstrual bleeding and associations with physical health and wellbeing in low-income and middle-income countries: a multinational cross-sectional study.
BACKGROUND
Data on the prevalence of heavy menstrual bleeding in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) are scarce. We aimed to assess the validity of a scale to measure heavy menstrual bleeding and calculate its prevalence in southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, and to examine associations between heavy menstrual bleeding and health outcomes.
METHODS
Between Aug 2, 2021 and June 14, 2022, we surveyed 6626 women across ten cities (Meherpur and Saidpur, Bangladesh; Warangal, Narsapur, and Tiruchirappalli, India; Kathmandu, Nepal; Dakar, Senegal; Nairobi, Kenya; Kampala, Uganda; and Lusaka, Zambia), including questions on demographics, health, and the SAMANTA scale, a six-item measure of heavy menstrual bleeding. We conducted confirmatory factor analysis to assess construct validity of the SAMANTA scale, calculated the prevalence of heavy menstrual bleeding, and used regression analyses to examine associations of heavy menstrual bleeding with health outcomes.
FINDINGS
4828 women were included in the final analytic sample. Factor analysis indicated a one-factor model representing heavy menstrual bleeding. In the pooled analytic sample, 2344 (48·6%) of 4828 women were classified as experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding, and the prevalence was lowest in Dakar (126 [38·3%] of 329 women) and Kampala (158 [38·4%] of 411 women) and highest in Kathmandu (326 [77·6%] of 420 women). Experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding was significantly associated with feeling tired or short of breath during the menstrual period (risk ratio 4·12 (95% CI 3·45 to 4·94) and reporting worse self-rated physical health (adjusted odds ratio 1·27, 95% CI 1·08 to 1·51), but was not associated with subjective wellbeing (β -3·34, 95% CI -7·04 to 0·37).
INTERPRETATION
Heavy menstrual bleeding is highly prevalent and adversely impacts quality of life in women across LMIC settings. Further attention is urgently needed to understand determinants and identify and implement solutions to this problem.
FUNDING
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, United States Agency for International Development, National Institutes of Health.
Topics: Female; Humans; Menorrhagia; Developing Countries; Quality of Life; Cross-Sectional Studies; Prevalence; Kenya; Senegal; Uganda; Zambia
PubMed: 37802092
DOI: 10.1016/S2214-109X(23)00416-3 -
Systematic Reviews Jul 2023Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), which includes heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), is a common condition placing women at increased risk for developing iron deficiency and...
BACKGROUND
Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), which includes heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), is a common condition placing women at increased risk for developing iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Depletion of iron stores has negative implications on physical, social, and emotional health, as well as quality of life. Iron supplements are safe, effective, and readily available, while red blood cell (RBC) transfusions have inherent risks including infectious and immune reactions. Despite high prevalence of IDA among women with AUB, there are limited studies on the impact of iron therapies on patient outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis will evaluate the impact of iron supplementation on patient outcomes for women with AUB, when compared to combination therapy, no intervention, placebo, or standard of care.
METHODS
We will conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and observational studies evaluating the impact of iron interventions on patient outcomes for women with AUB. Systematic literature searches will be conducted in major databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, and Web of Science. Studies assessing the impact of iron interventions on patient outcomes in women experiencing AUB, in comparison to combination therapy, no intervention, placebo, or standard of care, will be included in the review. Independent reviewers will screen for eligibility, assess risk of bias, and abstract data. Overall certainty of evidence for each outcome will be assessed using the GRADE approach. We will meta-analyze outcomes which are sufficiently homogeneous to summarize intervention effects and narratively synthesize nonhomogeneous outcomes. The main outcomes of interest are hemoglobin levels immediately prior to surgery and post-operatively, number of RBC transfusions, and adverse effects. Secondary outcomes will include length of hospital stay, intraoperative blood loss, adverse and side effects, quality of life, and iron indices.
DISCUSSION
This review will evaluate the impact of iron interventions on patient outcomes in women with IDA secondary to AUB with focus on changes in hematological and iron indices, red blood cell utilization, quality of life, cost of treatment, and adverse events. The results will inform evidence-based clinical practice for the management of iron deficiency and IDA secondary to AUB.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO CRD42019137282.
Topics: Female; Humans; Iron; Quality of Life; Systematic Reviews as Topic; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Iron Deficiencies; Uterine Hemorrhage; Dietary Supplements; Review Literature as Topic
PubMed: 37443063
DOI: 10.1186/s13643-023-02222-4 -
Journal of Pharmacy & Bioallied Sciences Jul 2023Due to shame over discussing menstruation and fear of illness, many adolescent girls with monthly problems never visit their family doctor or gynecologist. The...
INTRODUCTION
Due to shame over discussing menstruation and fear of illness, many adolescent girls with monthly problems never visit their family doctor or gynecologist. The presentation can be delayed as a result. The current study's goal was to assess the sociodemographic characteristics of adolescent females experiencing menstruation issues and the nature of those problems, and how they were handled.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The problems faced by the adolescent girls attending the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology were analyzed retrospectively, and all their study characteristics and conditions were evaluated. The descriptive demographics are only represented in the current study.
RESULTS
Two hundred-two teenage girls with menstruation issues visited our hospital overall. 64% of them were late adolescents, 96% lived in cities, 89 were unmarried, and 50% belonged to the middle class socioeconomically. Amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, and irregular menstrual periods affected 86 (61%) people, 38 (27%) people, and 17 (12%) people, respectively. Patients were treated with appropriate counseling and medicinal and/or surgical care.
CONCLUSION
Most of the teenage girls in our study had anemia. Therefore, it is essential to educate people on the importance of nutrition, different menstrual disorders, normal physiology, and the prevention and management of anemia. Adolescent-friendly health care has been attempted and partially developed in India's governmental and private systems. As a result, counseling and management of adolescent menstrual difficulties must be offered in the current health and medical care systems.
PubMed: 37654320
DOI: 10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_495_22