The normalisation of menstrual disorders 

The FIGO Committee on Menstrual Disorders and Related Health Impacts focuses on the set of symptoms described as non-gestational abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), including heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB).  

Dr Hilary Critchley, Chair of the Committee on Menstrual Disorders and Related Health Impacts, highlights:  

Symptoms of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), including heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) are far too often normalised by parents, girls and women, society at large, and many – if not most – health care workers. Consequently, they are under recognised, under reported and typically not treated, despite the existence of a variety of safe and effective interventions. 

The serious health impacts of undiagnosed menstrual disorders 

The under-diagnosing of these disorders has severe consequences for women and girls, such as iron deficiency (ID) and ID anaemia (IDA). It is estimated that one third of women of reproductive age have anaemia worldwide. 

HMB is an under recognised and under reported cause of ID and IDA, a major cause of worldwide disability that disproportionately affects women in their reproductive years. IDA can have profound effects on pregnancy, including impaired foetal neurodevelopment with subsequent long-term consequences.  

There is a critical need to raise awareness of the impacts of iron deficiency on physical and mental wellbeing of those who menstruate, for pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes and for the neonate and infant. 

– Dr Hilary Critchley Chair of the Committee on Menstrual Disorders and Related Health Impacts 

Raising awareness of symptoms and improving diagnoses 

With the aim of supporting clinicians and researchers in their work, the FIGO Committee on Menstrual Disorders and Related Health Impacts is in charge of maintaining, revising and developing systems to aid in the identification and characterisation of women with symptoms of AUB and HMB, including sub-classification systems for the spectrum of causes of AUB.  

The work to date of the former Committee for Menstrual Disorders (MDC) - now the Committee on Menstrual Disorders and Related Health Impacts (MDRHI) - will continue to provide education and advocacy to raise awareness of AUB and HMB through its activities, reaching both care providers and those who menstruate.  

The benefits of adoption of the FIGO nomenclature (FIGO System 1) and the gateway to classification (FIGO System 2, also known as PALM-COEIN) of AUB across the reproductive age span will continue to be shared with communities across all continents.  

– Dr Hilary Critchley