On the value of menorrhagia as a predictor for coagulation disorders

Abstract

The value of menorrhagia as a predictor for mild bleeding disorders has been very little studied and the results are divergent. In the present study on 30 women with objectively verified menorrhagia, we found a significantly increased prevalence of von Willebrand's disease (20%). By keeping a strict sampling and laboratory routine, and by restricting sampling to cycle days 5-7, we also obtained a very low interindividual variation of von Willebrand factor and coagulation factor VIII. We conclude that menorrhagia is a valuable predictor for coagulation and platelet disorders, and that time of sampling is of importance. This should be considered in the investigation of menorrhagia, and can be a guideline in looking for mild bleeding disorders.