Skip to main content

Heavy Menstrual Bleeding and Anticoagulation

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Hematology in the Adolescent Female

Abstract

Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is a known but likely underrecognized complication of anticoagulation (AC), occurring in up to 76% of treated women. Although HMB is seen with all anticoagulants, the risk with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) has been found to be higher than that seen with warfarin. A detailed history, combined with physical and laboratory examination, is key to evaluation of HMB in women on AC. Management ranges from emergent surgery to modification of anticoagulation or initiation of hormonal or antifibrinolytic therapies, depending on the severity of presentation.

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

Access this chapter

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 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover 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

References

  1. Barr F, Brabin L, Agbaje S, Buseri F, Ikimalo J, Briggs N. Reducing iron deficiency anaemia due to heavy menstrual blood loss in Nigerian rural adolescents. Public Health Nutr. 1998;1(4):249–57.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Friberg B, Orno AK, Lindgren A, Lethagen S. Bleeding disorders among young women: a population-based prevalence study. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2006;85(2):200–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Munro MG, Critchley HO, Broder MS, Fraser IS, FIGO Working Group on Menstrual Disorders. FIGO classification system (PALM-COEIN) for causes of abnormal uterine bleeding in nongravid women of reproductive age. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2011;113(1):3–13.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Soni H, Kurkowski J, Guffey D, Dietrich JE, Srivaths LV. Gynecologic bleeding complications in postmenarchal female adolescents receiving antithrombotic medications. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2018;31(3):242–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Peake LJ, Grover SR, Monagle PT, Kennedy AD. Effect of warfarin on menstruation and menstrual management of the adolescent on warfarin. J Paediatr Child Health. 2011;47(12):893–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Huq FY, Tvarkova K, Arafa A, Kadir RA. Menstrual problems and contraception in women of reproductive age receiving oral anticoagulation. Contraception. 2011;84(2):128–32.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Nadeem S, Abbas S, Jalal A. The effect of oral progesterone for the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding in women taking warfarin following prosthetic valve replacement. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(4):887–92.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  8. Ruff CT, Giugliano RP, Braunwald E, Hoffman EB, Deenadayalu N, Ezekowitz MD, et al. Comparison of the efficacy and safety of new oral anticoagulants with warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis of randomised trials. Lancet. 2014;383(9921):955–62.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Beyer-Westendorf J, Michalski F, Tittl L, Hauswald-Dorschel S, Marten S. Vaginal bleeding and heavy menstrual bleeding during direct oral anti-Xa inhibitor therapy. Thromb Haemost. 2016;115(6):1234–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Scheres L, Brekelmans M, Ageno W, Ay C, Buller HR, Eichinger S, et al. Abnormal vaginal bleeding in women of reproductive age treated with edoxaban or warfarin for venous thromboembolism: a post hoc analysis of the Hokusai-VTE study. BJOG. 2018;125(12):1581–9.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  11. Brekelmans MP, Scheres LJ, Bleker SM, Hutten BA, Timmermans A, Buller HR, et al. Abnormal vaginal bleeding in women with venous thromboembolism treated with apixaban or warfarin. Thromb Haemost. 2017;117(4):809–15.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Bryk AH, Pirog M, Plens K, Undas A. Heavy menstrual bleeding in women treated with rivaroxaban and vitamin K antagonists and the risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism. Vasc Pharmacol. 2016;87:242–7.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Cohen H, Arachchillage DR, Beyer-Westendorf J, Middeldorp S, Kadir RA. Direct oral anticoagulants and women. Semin Thromb Hemost. 2016;42(7):789–97.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Huisman MV, Ferreira M, Feuring M, Fraessdorf M, Klok FA. Less abnormal uterine bleeding with dabigatran than warfarin in women treated for acute venous thromboembolism. J Thromb Haemost: JTH. 2018;16(9):1775–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. De Crem N, Peerlinck K, Vanassche T, Vanheule K, Debaveye B, Middeldorp S, et al. Abnormal uterine bleeding in VTE patients treated with rivaroxaban compared to vitamin K antagonists. Thromb Res. 2015;136(4):749–53.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Warner PE, Critchley HO, Lumsden MA, Campbell-Brown M, Douglas A, Murray GD. Menorrhagia I: measured blood loss, clinical features, and outcome in women with heavy periods: a survey with follow-up data. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2004;190(5):1216–23.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Boonyawat K, O’Brien SH, Bates SM. How I treat heavy menstrual bleeding associated with anticoagulants. Blood. 2017;130(24):2603–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. James AH. Heavy menstrual bleeding: work-up and management. Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. 2016;2016(1):236–42.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  19. Rivara A, James AH. Managing heavy menstrual bleeding in women at risk of thrombosis. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2018;61(2):250–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Beyer-Westendorf J, Michalski F, Tittl L, Hauswald-Dorschel S, Marten S. Management and outcomes of vaginal bleeding and heavy menstrual bleeding in women of reproductive age on direct oral anti-factor Xa inhibitor therapy: a case series. Lancet Haematol. 2016;3(10):e480–e8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Kasonde JM, Bonnar J. Effect of ethamsylate and aminocaproic acid on menstrual blood loss in women using intrauterine devices. Br Med J. 1975;4(5987):21–2.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  22. Maybin JA, Critchley HO. Medical management of heavy menstrual bleeding. Women’s Health (Lond, Engl). 2016;12(1):27–34.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Hamani Y, Ben-Shachar I, Kalish Y, Porat S. Intrauterine balloon tamponade as a treatment for immune thrombocytopenic purpura-induced severe uterine bleeding. Fertil Steril. 2010;94(7):2769.e13–5.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Goldrath MH. Uterine tamponade for the control of acute uterine bleeding. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1983;147(8):869–72.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Fergusson RJ, Lethaby A, Shepperd S, Farquhar C. Endometrial resection and ablation versus hysterectomy for heavy menstrual bleeding. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(11):Cd000329.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Bhattacharya S, Middleton LJ, Tsourapas A, Lee AJ, Champaneria R, Daniels JP, et al. Hysterectomy, endometrial ablation and Mirena(R) for heavy menstrual bleeding: a systematic review of clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness analysis. Health Technol Assess (Winch, Engl). 2011;15(19):iii–xvi, 1–252.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Walker WJ, Pelage JP. Uterine artery embolisation for symptomatic fibroids: clinical results in 400 women with imaging follow up. BJOG. 2002;109(11):1262–72.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Khaund A, Moss JG, McMillan N, Lumsden MA. Evaluation of the effect of uterine artery embolisation on menstrual blood loss and uterine volume. BJOG. 2004;111(7):700–5.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Myers B, Webster A. Heavy menstrual bleeding on Rivaroxaban – Comparison with Apixaban. Br J Haematol. 2017;176(5):833–5.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Sjalander A, Friberg B, Svensson P, Stigendal L, Lethagen S. Menorrhagia and minor bleeding symptoms in women on oral anticoagulation. J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2007;24(1):39–41.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. van Eijkeren MA, Christiaens GC, Haspels AA, Sixma JJ. Measured menstrual blood loss in women with a bleeding disorder or using oral anticoagulant therapy. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1990;162(5):1261–3.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Fraser IS, Romer T, Parke S, Zeun S, Mellinger U, Machlitt A, et al. Effective treatment of heavy and/or prolonged menstrual bleeding with an oral contraceptive containing estradiol valerate and dienogest: a randomized, double-blind Phase III trial. Hum Reprod (Oxford, Engl). 2011;26(10):2698–708.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Lethaby A, Wise MR, Weterings MA, Bofill Rodriguez M, Brown J. Combined hormonal contraceptives for heavy menstrual bleeding. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;2:Cd000154.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. WHO Guidelines Approved by the Guidelines Review Committee. Medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2015. Copyright (c) World Health Organization 2015.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Martinelli I, Lensing AW, Middeldorp S, Levi M, Beyer-Westendorf J, van Bellen B, et al. Recurrent venous thromboembolism and abnormal uterine bleeding with anticoagulant and hormone therapy use. Blood. 2016;127(11):1417–25.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  36. Baglin T, Bauer K, Douketis J, Buller H, Srivastava A, Johnson G. Duration of anticoagulant therapy after a first episode of an unprovoked pulmonary embolus or deep vein thrombosis: guidance from the SSC of the ISTH. J Thromb Haemost: JTH. 2012;10(4):698–702.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Bofill Rodriguez M, Lethaby A, Low C, Cameron IT. Cyclical progestogens for heavy menstrual bleeding. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;8:Cd001016.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Hubacher D, Lopez L, Steiner MJ, Dorflinger L. Menstrual pattern changes from levonorgestrel subdermal implants and DMPA: systematic review and evidence-based comparisons. Contraception. 2009;80(2):113–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Tepper NK, Whiteman MK, Marchbanks PA, James AH, Curtis KM. Progestin-only contraception and thromboembolism: a systematic review. Contraception. 2016;94(6):678–700.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Lethaby A, Hussain M, Rishworth JR, Rees MC. Progesterone or progestogen-releasing intrauterine systems for heavy menstrual bleeding. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(4):Cd002126.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Stewart A, Cummins C, Gold L, Jordan R, Phillips W. The effectiveness of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system in menorrhagia: a systematic review. BJOG. 2001;108(1):74–86.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. National Collaborating Centre for Women’s and Children’s Health (UK). National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence: Guidance. Heavy menstrual bleeding. London: RCOG Press, National Collaborating Centre for Women’s and Children’s Health; 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Vilos GA, Tureanu V, Garcia M, Abu-Rafea B. The levonorgestrel intrauterine system is an effective treatment in women with abnormal uterine bleeding and anticoagulant therapy. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2009;16(4):480–4.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Lukes AS, Reardon B, Arepally G. Use of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system in women with hemostatic disorders. Fertil Steril. 2008;90(3):673–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Pisoni CN, Cuadrado MJ, Khamashta MA, Hunt BJ. Treatment of menorrhagia associated with oral anticoagulation: efficacy and safety of the levonorgestrel releasing intrauterine device (Mirena coil). Lupus. 2006;15(12):877–80.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Kilic S, Yuksel B, Doganay M, Bardakci H, Akinsu F, Uzunlar O, et al. The effect of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device on menorrhagia in women taking anticoagulant medication after cardiac valve replacement. Contraception. 2009;80(2):152–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Curtis KM, Tepper NK, Jatlaoui TC, Berry-Bibee E, Horton LG, Zapata LB, et al. U.S. medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use, 2016. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2016;65(3):1–103.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Ho WK, Wang YF, Wu HH, Tsai HD, Chen TH, Chen M. Ruptured corpus luteum with hemoperitoneum: case characteristics and demographic changes over time. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol. 2009;48(2):108–12.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Peters WA 3rd, Thiagarajah S, Thornton WN Jr. Ovarian hemorrhage in patients receiving anticoagulant therapy. J Reprod Med. 1979;22(2):82–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Bryant-Smith AC, Lethaby A, Farquhar C, Hickey M. Antifibrinolytics for heavy menstrual bleeding. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;4:Cd000249.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Long B, April MD. Does tranexamic acid affect risk of venous and arterial thrombosis or mortality in nonsurgical patients? Ann Emerg Med. 2020;75(4):535–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Chornenki NLJ, Um KJ, Mendoza PA, Samienezhad A, Swarup V, Chai-Adisaksopha C, et al. Risk of venous and arterial thrombosis in non-surgical patients receiving systemic tranexamic acid: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Thromb Res. 2019;179:81–6.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Janice M. Staber .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Weyand, A.C., Staber, J.M. (2020). Heavy Menstrual Bleeding and Anticoagulation. In: Srivaths, L. (eds) Hematology in the Adolescent Female. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-48446-0_16

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-48446-0_16

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-48445-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-48446-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics