Heavy Menstrual Bleeding in the Gynecology Clinic: A Call for Awareness and Standardized Screening for Underlying Bleeding Disorders

Abstract

IMPORTANCE: Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is a common problem existing in nearly 30% of women worldwide. An underlying bleeding disorder has been identified as a cause of HMB in a significant proportion of women seeking gynecological care for HMB. In practice, however, there is a significant underdiagnosis of bleeding disorders in these patients, highlighting a need for improvement in awareness and detection. OBJECTIVE: To present a comprehensive review of the literature on HMB and bleeding disorders and to increase awareness of their interrelation. In addition, to propose a standardized diagnostic approach to help identify which women with HMB may have an underlying bleeding disorder and require further hemostatic evaluation. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A literature review was performed using PubMed to identify relevant primary research and review articles on the topic of HMB and bleeding disorders in English. This was supplemented by manual reference searches and review of relevant guidelines in English and Dutch. RESULTS: A significant proportion (10% to as much as 62%) of women with HMB have an underlying bleeding disorder, yet many such disorders go unrecognized. Various screening instruments, particularly the validated PBAC, Philipp tool or self-BAT, can help distinguish between HMB with or without a suspected bleeding disorder, and indicate who needs additional hemostatic evaluation. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: An underlying bleeding disorder is far more frequent in HMB than currently appreciated. Gynecologists should be aware of this and be familiar with screening instruments and a diagnostic workflow for bleeding disorders. Multidisciplinary collaboration between gynecology and hematology is crucial for accurately diagnosing and managing potential bleeding disorders in women with HMB.