Hypomenorrhea in Adolescents and Youths: Normal Variant or Menstrual Disorder? Revision of Literature and Personal Experience.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Case series of four patients alongside a narrative literature review.
PubMed 35315382 · doi:10.23750/abm.v93i1.12804
What was done
This paper reviewed published literature regarding the prevalence of hypomenorrhea (lighter or shorter menstrual flow) in adolescents and young adults across various countries and presented a personal case series of four adolescent patients.
What was found
Normal menstrual flow was described as averaging 4 to 6 days (normal range 2 to 8 days) with an average volume of 25 to 30 mL per cycle. The abstract reports no numerical prevalence figures from the literature review and no quantitative outcomes or findings from the four case reports.
Why it matters
Although major pediatric and gynecologic organizations recommend treating the menstrual cycle as a vital sign in adolescents, clinical identification and standard definitions for hypomenorrhea remain inconsistent.
Limits
The review lacks systematic search methodology and quantitative summary data in the abstract, and the clinical component is limited to a four-patient descriptive case series with no controls.
Cited by
- supports Menstrual bleeding in most women typically lasts between 3 and 6 days.