| Abstract: | Intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs) are commonly used in China, but uterine bleeding is the main problem. So far, the menstrual blood loss (MBL) is based on subjective judgments by the patients, and objective quantitative data of MBL is lacking. It is necessary to determine the baseline MBL of healthy Chinese women.MBL was determined in 131 healthy women for one period, the range was 7.5–176.5 ml; the mean value was 56.3±2.8 (S.E.) ml; the median was 50.8 ml; and the central percentile limits of 80% and 90% were 20.7–95.0 ml and 13.9–120.8 ml, respectively. The amount of MBL in 92.4% of tested subjects was within 100 ml; the 95th percentile was 120.8 ml. Hematological studies were made in 25 subjects. There was a tendency for the blood iron to decrease with increasing MBL and when the MBL reached 80–100 ml, the hemoglobin and hematocrit began to decline. When MBL increased to 100–120 ml, hemoglobin and hematocrit were reduced to the lower limit of normal value.Further investigation should be made to determine if 100 ml can be used as the upper limit of normal for Chinese women. |
