Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Medical Management of Menorrhagia in Pre- and Perimenopausal Women

  • Chapter
Perimenopause

Part of the book series: Serono Symposia USA ((SERONOSYMP))

  • 111 Accesses

Abstract

Several studies have documented that the perimenopausal transition in terms of menstrual period intervals and duration of bleeding is similar to that which is experienced at the onset of menarche in the adolescent. That is, the interval between menstrual periods begins to lengthen and the duration of bleeding remains unchanged. Current evidence suggests that, along with the lengthening of the interval between menstrual periods, the amount of flow with each menstrual period also changes (1–3). The amount of menstrual bleeding both increases and decreases in perimenopausal women. The percentage of perimenopausal women reporting a change in menstrual flow was 51% (n = 194) of 380 women (3). An increase in the amount of menstrual flow has been positively correlated with the irregular menses that occur in perimenopausal women (2).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. McKinlay SM, Brambilla DJ, Posner JG. The normal menopause transition. Maturitas 1992;14:103–15.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Metcalf MG, Donald RA, Livesey JH. Classification of menstrual cycles in pre-and perimenopausal women. J Endocrinol 1981;91:1–10.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Burger HG, Dudley EC, Hopper JL, et al. The endocrinology of the menopause transition: a cross-sectional study of a population-based sample. J Clin Endocrinol 1995;80:3537–45.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Van Eijkeren MA, Christiaens GCML, Sikma JJ, Haspels AA. Menorrhagia: a review. Obstet Gynecol Surv 1989;44:421–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Cohen BJB, Gibor Y. Anemia and menstrual blood loss. Obstet Gynecol Surv 1980;35:597–618.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Fraser IS, Baird DT. Blood production and ovarian secretion rates of estradiol-1703B2 and estrone in women with dysfunctional uterine bleeding. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1974;39:564–70.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Shaw RW. Assessment of medical treatments for menorrhagia. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1994;101:15–18.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Smith SK, Abel MH, Kelly RW, Baird DT. Prostaglandin synthesis in the endometrium of women with ovular dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1981;88:434–42.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Gleeson N, Devitt M, Sheppard BL, Bonnar J. Endometrial fibrinolytic enzymes in women with normal menstruation and dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1993;100:768–71.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Santoro N, Brown JR, Adel T, Skurnick JH. Characterization of reproductive hormonal dynamics in the perimenopause. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1996; 81:1495–501.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Van Look PFA, Lothian H, Hunter WM, Michie EA, Baird DT. Hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian function in perimenopausal women. Clin Endocrinol 1977;7:13–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Metcalf MG, Donald RA, Livesey JH. Pituitary-ovarian function in normal women during the menopausal transition. Clin Endocrinol 1981;14:245–55.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Critchley HOD, Abberton KM, Taylor NH, Healy DL. Endometrial sex steroid receptor expression in women with menorrhagia. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1994; 101:428–34.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Carlson KJ, Nichols DH, Schiff I. Indications for hysterectomy. N Engl J Med 1993;328:856–60.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Lalonde A. Evaluation of surgical options in menorrhagia. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1994;101:8–14.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Donnez J, Nisolle M, Clerck F, Casanas-Roux F, Saussoy P, Gillerot S. Advanced endoscopic techniques used in dysfunctional bleeding, fibroids and endometriosis, and the role of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist treatment. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1994;101:2–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Derman SG, Rehnstrom J, Neuwirth RS. The long-term effectiveness of hysteroscopic treatment of menorrhagia and leiomyomas. Obstet Gynecol 1991;77:591–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Nilsson L, Rybo G. Treatment of menorrhagia. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1971; 110:713–20.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Fraser IS, McCarron G. Randomized trial of 2 hormonal and 2 prostaglandin-inhibiting agents in women with a complaint of menorrhagia. Aust NZ J Obstet Gynecol 1991;31:66–70.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Preston JT, Cameron IT, Adams EJ, Smith SK. Comparative study of tranexamic acid and norethisterone in the treatment of ovulatory menorrhagia. Gynaecology 1993;102:401–8.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Cameron IT, Haining R, Lumsden M-A, Thomas VR, Smith SK. The effects of mefenamic acid and norethisterone on measured menstrual blood loss. Obstet Gynecol 1990;76:85–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Fraser IS. Treatment of ovulatory and anovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding with oral progestogens. Aust NZ J Obstet Gynecol 1990;30:353–6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Higham JM, Shaw RW. A comparative study of danazol, a regimen of decreasing doses of danazol, and norethindrone in the treatment of objectively proven unexplained menorrhagia. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1993;169:1134–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Chimbira TH, Anderson ABM, Naish C, Cope E, Turnbull AC. Reduction of menstrual blood loss by danazol in unexplained menorrhagia: lack of effect of placebo. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1980;87:1152–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Tang GWK, Lo SST. Levonorgestrel intrauterine device in the treatment of menorrhagia in Chinese women: efficacy versus acceptability. Contraception 1995;51:231–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Andersson JK, Rybo G. Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device in the treatment of menorrhagia. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1990;97:690–4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Milsom I, Andersson K, Andersch B, Rybo G. A comparison of flurbiprofen, tranexamic acid, and a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine contraceptive device in the treatment of idiopathic menorrhagia. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1991; 164:879–83.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Bergquist A, Rybo G. Treatment of menorrhagia with intrauterine release of progesterone. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1983;90:255–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Hahn L, Petruson B. The influence of acetylsalicylic acid and paracetomol on menstrual blood loss in women with and without an intrauterine contraceptive device. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1979;135:393–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Chamberlain G, Freeman R, Price F, Kennedy A, Green D, Eve L. A comparative study of ethamsylate and mefenamic acid in dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1991;98:707–11.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. van Eijkeren MA, Christiaen GCML, Geuze HJ, Haspels AA, Sixma JJ. Effects of mefenamic acid on menstrual hemostasis in essential menorrhagia. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1992;166:1419–28.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Hall P, Maclachlan N, Thorn N, Nudo MWE, Taylor CG, Garrioch DB. Control of menorrhagia by the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors naproxen sodium and mefenamic acid. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1987;94:554–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Cameron IT, Leask R, Kelly RW, Baird DT. The effects of danazol, mefenamic acid, norethisterone, and a progesterone-impregnated coil on endometrial prostaglandin concentrations in women with menorrhagia. Prostaglandin 1987;34:99–110.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Mäkäräinen L, Ylikorkala O. Primary and myoma associated menorrhagia: role of prostaglandin and effects of ibuprofen. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1986:93:974–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Vercellini P, Crosignani PG. Goserelin (Zoladex) and the anaemic patient. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1994;1001:33–7.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Petrucco OM, Fraser IS. The potential for the use of GnRH agonists for treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1992; 99:34–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Thomas EJ, Okuda KJ, Thomas NM. The combination of a depo-gonado-trophin releasing hormone agonist and cyclical hormone replacement therapy for dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1991;98:1155–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Carlson KJ, Miller BA, Fowler FJ. The Maine women’s health study: II. Outcome of nonsurgical management of leiomyomas, abnormal bleeding, and chronic pelvic pain. Obstet Gynecol 1994;83:566–72.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. David F. Archer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Rogerio A. Lobo M.D.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1997 Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Archer, D.F. (1997). Medical Management of Menorrhagia in Pre- and Perimenopausal Women. In: Lobo, R.A. (eds) Perimenopause. Serono Symposia USA. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-2288-0_21

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-2288-0_21

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-7488-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4612-2288-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation