How I treat heavy menstrual bleeding associated with anticoagulants

Abstract

Anticoagulant-associated heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is an underrecognized but not uncommon problem in clinical practice. Premenopausal women should be advised of the potential effect of anticoagulant therapy on menstrual bleeding at the time of treatment initiation. Consequences of HMB should be assessed and treated on an ongoing basis. In the acute setting, the decision to withhold anticoagulants is based on an individual patient's risk of thrombosis and the severity of the bleeding. For women who require long-term anticoagulation, a levonorgestrel intrauterine system, tranexamic acid (during menstrual flow), high-dose progestin-only therapy, or combined hormonal contraceptives are effective for controlling HMB. The risk of thrombosis during anticoagulant therapy with these treatments is not well studied but is likely to be low. Selection of type of hormonal therapy is based on patient preference, other indications for and contraindications to therapy, adverse effect profile, and ongoing thrombotic risk factors. Women who do not respond to medical treatment or who do not wish to retain their fertility should be considered for surgical management.