Human Reproduction, Vol. 14, No. 1, 186-189,
January 1999
© 1999 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Menorrhagia and uterine artery blood flow
1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Helsinki, Haartmanink 2, FIN-00290 Helsinki and 2 Health Services Research Unit, Stakes, Siltasaarenk. 18, FIN-00531 Helsinki, Finland
Menorrhagia is a significant problem in women of reproductive age. In half of the cases no specific aetiology is known. Vascular factors play a role but remain poorly understood. We chose to study whether any association exists between the flow impedance of uterine arteries and the amount of menstrual blood loss. The study population consisted of 60 spontaneously menstruating 35- to 49-year-old women without endometrial hyperplasia, polyps, or submucous fibroids. The pulsatility index (PI) from uterine arteries, arcuate arteries, and radial arteries was measured by transvaginal colour Doppler. Menstrual blood loss was measured by the alkaline haematin method. A significant inverse correlation was found between uterine artery PI and the amount of menstrual blood loss, suggesting that women with lower uterine flow impedance bleed more. A regression model confirmed that this association was specific and not explained by uterine size, fibroids or any other of the 11 potential confounders included in the model. The correlation between uterine artery PI and amount of menstrual blood loss suggests that vascular factors may be involved in the pathogenesis of menorrhagia.
Key words: blood flow velocity/Doppler velocimetry/menorrhagia/pulsatility index/uterine arteries
3 To whom correspondence should be addressed
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  S. Quenby, H. Nik, B. Innes, G. Lash, M. Turner, J. Drury, and J. Bulmer Uterine natural killer cells and angiogenesis in recurrent reproductive failure Hum. Reprod., January 1, 2009; 24(1): 45 - 54. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 H. Zhang and K.-K. Liu Optical tweezers for single cells J R Soc Interface, July 6, 2008; 5(24): 671 - 690. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Sifer, A. Sellami, C. Poncelet, P. Kulski, B. Martin-Pont, J. Bottero, R. Porcher, I. Cedrin-Durnerin, J.N. Hugues, and J.P. Wolf A prospective randomized study to assess the benefit of partial zona pellucida digestion before frozen-thawed embryo transfers Hum. Reprod., September 1, 2006; 21(9): 2384 - 2389. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 T. Ebner, M. Moser, and G. Tews Possible applications of a non-contact 1.48 {micro}m wavelength diode laser in assisted reproduction technologies Hum. Reprod. Update, July 1, 2005; 11(4): 425 - 435. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A.H. Shaamash and M.M. Zakhari Increased serum levels of nitric oxide metabolites among users: a possible role in progestin-induced bleeding Hum. Reprod., January 1, 2005; 20(1): 302 - 306. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Abdelmassih, J. Cardoso, V. Abdelmassih, J.A. Dias, R. Abdelmassih, and Z.P. Nagy Laser-assisted ICSI: a novel approach to obtain higher oocyte survival and embryo quality rates Hum. Reprod., October 1, 2002; 17(10): 2694 - 2699. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
B. Balaban, B. Urman, C. Alatas, R. Mercan, A. Mumcu, and A. Isiklar A comparison of four different techniques of assisted hatching Hum. Reprod., May 1, 2002; 17(5): 1239 - 1243. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. Zervou, L.D. Klentzeris, and R.W. Old Nitric oxide synthase expression and steroid regulation in the uterus of women with menorrhagia Mol. Hum. Reprod., November 1, 1999; 5(11): 1048 - 1054. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|