Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding

Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding د.ناديه مضر الحلي
Is a descriptive term applied to any alteration in the normal menstrual flow. The following table outlines the classical terminology applied to abnormal uterine bleeding:

Menorrhagia Prolonged & increased menstrual flow
Metrorrhagia Regular intermenstrual bleeding
Polymenorrhea Menses occurring at < 21 day interval
Menometrorrhagia Prolonged menses & intermenstrual bleeding
Oligomenorrhea Menses at intervals of > 35 days

The average menses lasts for 3-7 days with a mean blood loss of 35 ml. Menorrhagia is defined as blood loss of greater than 80 ml as women who lose this amount or more will have a lower haemoglobin & haematocrit value.
For clinical purposes, HMB should be defined as excessive menstrual blood loss which interferes
with the woman’s physical, emotional, social and material quality of life, and which can occur
alone or in combination with other symptoms. Any interventions should aim to improve quality
of life measures