title: Quantification of menstrual flow by weighing protective pads in women   with normal, decreased or increased menstruation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the association between menstrual flow weight measured from modern sanitary pads (converting liquid to non-evaporating gel) and clinically assessed normal, increased or decreased menstrual flow.
  
  
  METHODS
  Objective method development study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outpatient clinic, University Hospital, Reykjavik.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and thirteen volunteers included 26 normally menstruating adult women and 52 normally menstruating teenagers not using oral or intrauterine contraception, seven normally menstruating women using oral contraception, 17 women with clinically diagnosed menorrhagia, five women using oral contraception for clinical menorrhagia, and six teenage girls claiming heavy menstrual flow.
  
  
  METHODS
  Menstruation length, menstrual flow weight and history of iron deficiency were assessed. During the menstruation following recruitment, all women collected their used protective pads in a hygienic manner and returned them to the laboratory for accurate weighing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Menstrual flow total weight measured in grams.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean menstrual flow total weight in the 78 asymptomatic women was 51 g (median 44, range 5-144). The mean flow in 17 women clinically diagnosed with menorrhagia was 217 g (median 207, range 63-402) (p<0.0001 compared to healthy women). The seven healthy women using oral contraceptives discharged 13 g (13-19) (p=0.0004 compared with normals). Menstruation lasted < eight days in 77/78 healthy women and in 12 of 17 clinically diagnosed menorrhagic women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Measurement of menstrual flow total weight accurately reflects clinically assessed normal, increased and decreased flow. The method is an easy and accurate way of objectively estimating menstrual flow.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Hematology and Hemostasis Center, Landspitali University Hospital, Hringbraut, Reykjavik 101, Iceland.
authors.forename: Brynja R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Gudmundsdottir
authors.forename: Elin F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Hjaltalin
authors.forename: Gudrun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bragadottir
authors.forename: Arnar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hauksson
authors.forename: Reynir T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Geirsson
authors.forename: Pall T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Onundarson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D052576:Menstrual Hygiene Products; D008598:Menstruation; D008875:Middle Aged; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral