Menstrual problems in chronic immune thrombocytopenia: A monthly challenge - a cohort study and review

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) may cause menstrual problems. This cross-sectional study assessed menstrual problems in premenopausal chronic ITP women by several questionnaires, including the pictorial bleeding assessment calendar (PBAC; score ≥100 indicates heavy menstrual bleeding [HMB]), and the menorrhagia multiattribute scale (MMAS). Spearman was used for assessing correlations. A literature review was performed in Pubmed. The cohort comprised 37 women (mean age 31 ± 9). A total of 29/37 (78%) had experienced clinical menstrual problems in the present or past. Of the 33 patients who returned the PBAC, 13 (39%) had a score of ≥100. The median MMAS score was 79 (IQR 60-95). The PBAC scores correlated with the MMAS. Both questionnaires were unrelated to the platelet count. Patients with a levonorgestrel intrauterine device (LNG-IUD) had lower PBAC scores than patients with other or no hormonal therapy. MMAS scores were correlated with fatigue. The review identified 14 papers. HMB occurred in 6%-55% at ITP diagnosis and 17%-79% during disease. Menstrual symptoms influenced the quality of life, particularly in patients with a low platelet count. This explorative study suggested that HMB is frequent in women with chronic ITP despite management and platelet counts >50 *10⁹ /l. An LNG-IUD seemed to reduce blood loss significantly.