Authors:
Fraser IS. McCarron G. Markham R. Resta T.
Title:
Blood and total fluid content of menstrual discharge
Source:
Obstetrics and Gynecology. 65(2):194-8, 1985 Feb.
Abstract:
Twenty-eight regularly menstruating female volunteers made careful collections of their sanitary pads and tampons on a daily basis throughout one menstrual period in such a way that the total fluid volume of the menstrual discharge could be accurately measured independently of the blood loss. The percentage contribution of blood (e quivalent to mixed venous blood from the cubital fossa) to the total varied very greatly from woman to woman (1.6 to 81.7%) with a mean of 36.1 +/- 3.6% (+/- SEM). There was a highly significant correlation between total fluid loss and blood loss (r = 0.911, P less than .001). The proportion of blood remained approximately the same for different total volumes and on different days of the cycle. Women using no contraception or who had undergone tubal sterilization had similar ratios of blood to total fluid loss, whereas intrauterine device (IUD) users had a higher ratio (P less than .025) and oral contraceptive users a lower ratio that just reached statistical significance (P less than .05). It seems probable that the major component of the fluid loss that cannot be accounted for by blood is from endometrial tissue fluid rather than vaginal or cervical secretions.
Please click on the required question.
- 1 Are heavy periods a common problem?
- 2 What is in my menstrual flow?
- 3 What range of menstrual cycle length is considered to be normal?
- 4 How can menstrual blood loss be measured?
- 5 How can I tell if my periods are abnormally heavy?
- 6 What could be the cause of my very heavy menstrual periods?
- 7 I have been sterilised. Could this be the cause of my heavy periods?
- 8 Should I have tests to find the reason for my heavy periods?
- 9 How will my heavy period problems be investigated?
- 10 What is meant by anaemia due to heavy periods?
- 11 What is intermenstrual bleeding?
- 12 What is a hysteroscopy and D and C?
- 13 What is cervical cautery?
- 14 What happens after the D and C?
- 15 What treatments are available for my heavy periods?
- 16 What are the medical treatments available for heavy periods?
- 17 How do the various medical treatments for heavy periods work?
- 18 What would be reasonable initial treatment for a teenager or young woman with heavy periods?
- 19 What is a hysterectomy?
- 20 What are the indications for hysterectomy?
- 21 What are the risks (complications) of hysterectomy?
- 22 What is vault granulation?
- 23 What are the different types of hysterectomy?
- 24 Is it essential to remove the neck of the womb at hysterectomy?
- 25 Should my ovaries be removed or conserved during hysterectomy?
- 26 How long will I be in hospital when I have my hysterectomy?
- 27 I have had a hysterectomy. Do I still need to have smear tests?
- 28 What are the other surgical alternatives to hysterectomy?
- 29 How do endometrial ablation and hysterectomy compare?
- 30 Are there any psychological effects following hysterectomy?
- 31 How do we decide the best treatment for my period problems?
- 32 Could I have some recommended hysterectomy support groups?
- 33 Are there any support groups?
- Intermenstrual Bleeding - Bleeding between periods.
Thank you for choosing to visit us.
This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.
I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.














