Open AccessBleeding disorders among young women: A population‐based prevalence study
Author(s) -
FRIBERG BRITT,
KRISTIN ÖRNÖ ANN,
LINDGREN ANNIKA,
LETHAGEN STEFAN
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1080/00016340500342912
Subject(s) - medicine , menstruation , menstrual bleeding , population , pediatrics , family history , young adult , gynecology , surgery , environmental health
Abstract Background . Bleeding problems are prevalent in the general population but may indicate a general bleeding disorder. Our aim was to describe the prevalence of perceived bleeding symptoms, including menorrhagia, in young healthy females. Methods . By aid of school nurses we distributed a questionnaire to all girls ( n =1,410) in the first grade of the upper secondary schools in the town of Malmö, Sweden. We received 1,019 (72%) responses. The questionnaire consisted of 17 main questions addressing general bleeding problems, menses and menstrual bleeding problems, family history, and other health related questions. Results . The mean age of the girls was 16.7 years. Eight girls had a previously diagnosed bleeding disorder and had a higher frequency of most bleeding symptoms. Seventy‐three percent of girls experienced at least one bleeding symptom, 43% had more than one symptom, 23% were troubled by more than two symptoms, and 10% more than three symptoms. Thirty‐seven percent experienced heavy menstruation and of these 22% had different drugs as treatment for menorrhagia. Thirty‐eight percent had a family history of heavy menstruation and half of them suffered from heavy menstruation themselves. Conclusions . Bleeding symptoms were relatively prevalent in this population and similar to other population‐based studies.