Managing menorrhagia in primary care

Excessive menstrual loss is a major health-care problem. Every year in the UK, around 1 in 20 women aged between 30 and 49 years will consult their GP because of heavy menstrual bleeding, thus menorrhagia is a considerable burden on primary care resources and may ultimately lead to referral. Once a patient is referred, surgical intervention is highly likely. Effective medical treatments exist at a primary care level. Active education of good management of menorrhagia and promotion of effective medical management in primary care halves the number of referrals. Involving patients in the decision-making process may increase the effectiveness of treatment. To empower them to make informed choices, women need comprehensive and evidence-based information on menorrhagia and the treatment options available.