Age and the prevalence of bleeding disorders in women with menorrhagia
Philipp, C.S.; Faiz, A.; Dowling, N.; Dilley, A.; Michaels, L.A.; Ayers, C.; Miller, C.H.; Bachmann, G.; Evatt, B.; Saidi, P.
Obstetrics and Gynecology 105(1): 61-66
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-7844 PMID: 15625143 DOI: 10.1097/01.aog.0000148889.15061.fbDocument Number: 240054
OBJECTIVE: A study was conducted to evaluate the frequency and types of hemostatic defects occurring in adolescent and perimenopausal-age women diagnosed with menorrhagia. METHODS: A total of 115 women with a physician diagnosis of menorrhagia, including 25 adolescent women, 25 perimenopausal-age women, and 65 women between the ages of 20 and 44, underwent comprehensive hemostatic testing for possible bleeding disorders. Frequencies of bleeding disorders were calculated and compared. RESULTS: Forty-seven percent of women were found to have hemostatic abnormalities, including platelet dysfunction, von Willebrand's disease, and coagulation factor deficiencies. Adolescents and perimenopausal-age women with menorrhagia were just as likely to have hemostatic abnormalities as were women aged 20 to 44. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that underlying bleeding disorders are frequently found in adolescent, postadolescent reproductive age, and perimenopausal-age women presenting with menorrhagia and suggest that women with menorrhagia should be considered for further hemostatic evaluation. Copyright 2005 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.