NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR CLINICAL EXCELLENCE

SPECIAL HEALTH AUTHORITY

EIGHTH WAVE WORK PROGRAMME:

HEAVY MENSTRUAL BLEEDING

On 31 March 2003, the Department of Health and the Welsh Assembly Government formally requested the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to prepare a clinical guideline as described in the box below. 

Title: Clinical guideline on the diagnosis and management of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB)

Remit: “To prepare clinical guidelines for the NHS in England and Wales on diagnosis and management of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding (Menhorragia and other conditions).  The guidelines should:

-   provide guidance on assessment and diagnosis of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding;

-   examine indications for non-surgical clinical management of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding;

-   examine the indications for hysterectomy and other surgical interventions, and for removal of healthy ovaries during hysterectomy;

-   examine the competencies required by surgeons performing these operative procedures;

-   for each indication, examine the evidence for the use of hysterectomy with the availability of alternative procedures together with the contra-indications for various methods;

-   provide guidance on technique and operative procedures, including the role of laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy.

Suggested working titles for NICE

Full title: Heavy menstrual bleeding: investigation and treatment

Short title: Heavy menstrual bleeding