Authors:
Gannon MJ. Day P. Hammadieh N. Johnson N.
Institution:
Department of Obstetrics/Gynaecology, Box CW 34, General Infirmary,Leeds LS2 9NS; United Kingdom.
Title:
A new method for measuring menstrual blood loss and its use in screening women before endometrial ablation (1996-1565).
Source:
British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Vol 103(10) (pp029-1033), 1996.
Abstract:
Objectives:
1. To develop and validate a method for measuring menstrual blood loss in a routine setting, and 2. To assess the value of measuring menstrual blood loss before endometrial ablation.
Design:
A prospective, observational study.
Setting:
Four Yorkshire hospitals: The General Infirmary at Leeds, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, St Luke's Hospital, Bradford and The Friarage Hospital, Northallerton.
Participants:
Three hundred and seventy-two women who had been offered endometrial ablation for menorrhagia. Measurement: Sanitary material was washed with a nonionic detergent in a known volume of water. The haemoglobin in a sample of solution was measured by mixing with sodium carbonate for spectrophotometric analysis.
Interventions:
The menstrual blood loss result was revealed to each woman. Electrosurgical endometrial ablation was performed for those who decided to have surgery.
Settings, Design and Main Outcome Measures:
Proportion of women with normal menstrual blood loss (<=80 mL) who avoided surgery. Comparison of endometrial ablation outcome in women with and without genuine menorrhagia.
Results:
Thirty-six women (10%) with normal menstrual blood loss who declined surgery continued to avoid surgery after a mean of 27 months. Two hundred and ninety-two women were followed up for one year after endometrial ablation. Those with genuine menorrhagia (n = 122) were less likely to be dissatisfied (9% vs 18%) (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.1-4.7) or to require hysterectomy (4% vs 7%) (OR 1.8, 95% CI 0.6-5.2) than women with normal menstrual blood loss (n = 170).
Conclusions:
The objective diagnosis of menorrhagia can be undertaken in a routine setting and may provide some women, who have a normal menstrual blood loss, sufficient reassurance to remain from surgery. Women with genuine menorrhagia have a better outcome after endometrial ablation than those with normal menstrual blood loss.
Please click on the required question.
- 1 Are heavy periods a common problem?
- 2 What is in my menstrual flow?
- 3 What range of menstrual cycle length is considered to be normal?
- 4 How can menstrual blood loss be measured?
- 5 How can I tell if my periods are abnormally heavy?
- 6 What could be the cause of my very heavy menstrual periods?
- 7 I have been sterilised. Could this be the cause of my heavy periods?
- 8 Should I have tests to find the reason for my heavy periods?
- 9 How will my heavy period problems be investigated?
- 10 What is meant by anaemia due to heavy periods?
- 11 What is intermenstrual bleeding?
- 12 What is a hysteroscopy and D and C?
- 13 What is cervical cautery?
- 14 What happens after the D and C?
- 15 What treatments are available for my heavy periods?
- 16 What are the medical treatments available for heavy periods?
- 17 How do the various medical treatments for heavy periods work?
- 18 What would be reasonable initial treatment for a teenager or young woman with heavy periods?
- 19 What is a hysterectomy?
- 20 What are the indications for hysterectomy?
- 21 What are the risks (complications) of hysterectomy?
- 22 What is vault granulation?
- 23 What are the different types of hysterectomy?
- 24 Is it essential to remove the neck of the womb at hysterectomy?
- 25 Should my ovaries be removed or conserved during hysterectomy?
- 26 How long will I be in hospital when I have my hysterectomy?
- 27 I have had a hysterectomy. Do I still need to have smear tests?
- 28 What are the other surgical alternatives to hysterectomy?
- 29 How do endometrial ablation and hysterectomy compare?
- 30 Are there any psychological effects following hysterectomy?
- 31 How do we decide the best treatment for my period problems?
- 32 Could I have some recommended hysterectomy support groups?
- 33 Are there any support groups?
- Intermenstrual Bleeding - Bleeding between periods.
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