[Menorrhagia, hypermenorrhea and disorders of hemostasis]

Menorrhagia is a common clinical problem. About 10% of women aged between 30 and 49 take medical advice for abnormal uterine bleeding. Underlying bleeding disorders are found in about 20% of women, once pelvic abnormalities are excluded. It is important to characterize a bleeding disorder since specific treatments can be provided. Moreover, these women are susceptible to present other haemorrhagic complications, particularly in case of invasive procedures. This review aims at drawing the attention a) on the importance of a careful medical history to assess menorrhagia and a possible bleeding disorder, b) on von Willebrand disease, the main coagulation disorder involved in case of menorrhagia and c) on several therapeutic possibilities.