title: Knowledge of Latin American Obstetricians and Gynecologists regarding Heavy Menstrual Bleeding.
abstract: Background. Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is a common gynecological complaint affecting quality of life. Objectives. To assess knowledge on diagnosis and treatments of HMB of Latin American (LA) obstetricians and gynecologists (OBGYNs). Methods. A survey was conducted during a scientific meeting, organized to provide updated information on topics of reproductive medicine to OBGYNs from 12 LA countries who were invited to respond to a multiple-choice questionnaire. Results. Of the 210 OBGYNs participating in the survey, from 169 (80.4%) to 203 (96.7%) answered the questions. Most respondents (80%) gave accurate answers regarding the amount of blood loss which defines HMB, underreported the proportion of women who consulted due to HMB, and were aware that the use of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) with ethynyl estradiol is not an adequate treatment in women with HMB. Female OBGYNs and those who worked in the private sector were more prone to report a higher possibility of improvement of HMB with a COC that contained estradiol valerate and dienogest or with a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system. Conclusions. In general, the respondents were aware of the importance of HMB in gynecological practice and of the new medical treatments and underreported the proportion of women who consulted due to HMB.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Campinas Medical School (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-7356-8428
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bahamondes
authors.affiliation: Bayer HealthCare, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Marin
authors.affiliation: Hospital Italiano, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ciarmatori
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Agnaldo L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Silva-Filho
authors.affiliation: Florida International University College of Medicine, Miami, Fl, USA.
authors.forename: Juan Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Acuña
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Campinas Medical School (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Makuch