Heavy menstrual bleeding awareness among Saudi female population and clinical implications

Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is a common clinical problem. However, seeking medical advice might be delayed until patients develop several clinical consequences.

To assess the prevalence and awareness of HMB among the Saudi female population and measures that are commonly used to control the bleeding.

This is a cross-sectional study where a trained study team member carried out a survey. The survey includes patient demographics and medications history, comorbidities, blood transfusion, and patient perception about her period. HMB was defined as bleeding lasting >7 days, flooding or changing protection more than every 2 hours, and passing clots >1 in. in diameter.

Four hundred and thirty-one women were evaluated for HMB with a median age of 27.72 ± 7.75. Out of the total number, 281 (65.2%) females were identified to have HMB. Among these 281 females, only 35.6% were aware of having HMB, whereas 64.4% either unaware or unsure about having it. For those who were aware of having HMB, only 32% seek medical advice, particularly gynecology clinic though 46.6% were not satisfied with offered management. On the other hand, 28% and 3.9% of those unaware of having HMB did required iron supplementation and blood transfusion, respectively.

HMB is a major clinical problem though awareness about having HMB lacks regardless of the age and education level. Raising awareness and a multidisciplinary approach may result in early diagnosis, early intervention, and reduction of clinical consequences.