Mechanism of normal menstruation and abnormality associated with menorrhagia

Abstract

Notmal menstruation involves endometrial tissue breakdown and bleeding, followed by hemostasis and repair. Abnormality of this Process at any stage may resub in changes in the quantity of menstrual blood loss. When menstrual blood loss is greater thnn 80 ml, it is called menorhagia. This review discuss the mechanism of normal menstruation, and factors associated with menorrhagia. Those factors are the endometrial bleeding associatedfactor (ebaf), the role ofvarious cells (migratory leucocytes, macrophages, and mast cells), the role of various substances (lysosomal enzymes, prostaglandins, endothelins, growthfactors and its receptors), impairment of fibrinolysis and hemostatic proces, and changes in endometrial bloodflow. (Med J Indones 2001; 10: 12l-6) Keyw ords : e baf, prostaglandin, endothe Lin, fibrinolysis