Evaluation of bleeding disorders in women with menorrhagia: a survey of obstetrician-gynecologists

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2012 Oct;207(4):269.e1-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2012.07.010. Epub 2012 Jul 16.

Abstract

Objective: To better understand the current evaluation of unexplained menorrhagia by obstetrician-gynecologists and the extent to which a bleeding disorder diagnosis is being considered in this population.

Study design: A total of 1200 Fellows and Junior Fellows of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists were invited to participate in a survey on blood disorders. Respondents completed a questionnaire regarding their patient population and their evaluation of patients with unexplained menorrhagia.

Results: The overall response rate was 42.4%. Eighty-two percent of respondents reported having seen patients with menorrhagia caused by a bleeding disorder. Seventy-seven percent of physicians reported they would be likely or very likely to consider a bleeding disorder as causing menorrhagia in adolescent patients; however, only 38.8% would consider bleeding disorders in reproductive age women.

Conclusion: The current data demonstrate that obstetrician-gynecologists seem to have a relatively high awareness of bleeding disorders as a potential underlying cause of menorrhagia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Blood Coagulation Disorders / complications*
  • Blood Coagulation Disorders / diagnosis
  • Female
  • Gynecology
  • Health Care Surveys
  • Humans
  • Menorrhagia / diagnosis
  • Menorrhagia / etiology*
  • Obstetrics
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires