Bleeding disorders among young women: a population-based prevalence study

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.