Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is defined as menstrual blood loss exceeding what threshold in contemporary NICE/FIGO classification?

• A Greater than 80 mL per cycle (objective alkaline haematin method)
• B Periods lasting more than 7 days
• C Pictorial blood assessment chart score >100
• D Menstrual blood loss that impacts the woman's quality of life, irrespective of measured volume ✓

Explanation

Contemporary NICE (2018) and FIGO PALM-COEIN definitions of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) have moved from the historical objective threshold of >80 mL/cycle (which was based on population studies and is not practical clinically) to a patient-centred definition: menstrual blood loss that interferes with the woman's physical, social, emotional, and/or material quality of life. This shift emphasises symptom impact rather than measured volume. PBAC >100 may support objective assessment but is not the current definition.

Reference: Shaw's Textbook of Gynaecology, 17th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.