Determinants and Assessment of Menstrual Blood Flow.

Purpose of reviewa)The modifiable and non-modifiable determinants and the currently available methods of assessment of menstrual blood flow will be discussed, with the goal of helping healthcare providers, researchers, and those interested in public health.Recent findingsb)Several factors can impact menstruation. The determinants include modifiable factors such as smoking, nutrition, exercise, stress, weight fluctuation, and benign gynecologic diseases, and non-modifiable factors such as age, race, and the individual's genes. The intertwined dynamic among these determinants needs more critical attention. Currently, the methods for the assessment of menstruation all have advantages and disadvantages, often with a tradeoff between practicality and accuracy.Summaryc)Considered by many as the fifth vital, menstruation provides a window to an individual's general health. The discussion of its determinants and assessment can be more appropriate for individual contexts, especially from a public health perspective as it can improve the reproductive health of the population.