Landmark National Survey Conducted by Harris Interactive® Sheds Light on Hidden Problem of Heavy Monthly Periods

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly ninety percent of women who experience heavy periods(1) believe their life during their period would greatly improve if they could reduce their menstrual flow, according to a new Harris Interactive® survey commissioned by Ferring Pharmaceuticals. Living With HMB: A National Survey of 500 Women found that many women experience monthly periods that are so heavy they can sap energy, cause anemia, and in many ways interfere with daily activities.  However, many women accept a heavy period as normal or are embarrassed to discuss it, and may be unaware that there are new treatment options available that can help provide substantial relief.  

The survey of women ages 18-49, which was conducted online in June 2010, found that cyclic heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), a condition also known as menorrhagia, has a significant negative impact on women's social, leisure, and physical activities.  Survey responses show that many cannot even manage work, family, and household responsibilities during their period as a result of the condition:

I am unable to do any activity that will keep me away from a restroom for more than about 90 minutes--so most outdoor activities are out of the question, and doing things like seeing movies, going to plays, etc. are a serious challenge unless there is an intermission built in or I duck out partway through.  Age 31, Very Heavy, Impact: A lot

Sometimes I have to stay home from work.  When I can go to work I have to skip meetings or other events and stay in my office.  I visit the restroom up to 10 times during an 8 hour work day. Age 46, Very Heavy, Impact: A Great Deal

I usually have to call in to work. I can't play in the park with my kids or go swimming with them because I'm afraid that I will soak through my pants and everyone will see. Age 22, Very Heavy, Impact: A Great Deal

It is estimated that 22 million women in America may suffer from HMB,(2)(3) however, only 11 percent seek treatment.(4)  A few of the signs and symptoms are:  heavy menstrual flow that interferes with regular lifestyle, feeling tired or short of breath – the symptoms of anemia, using double sanitary protection to control menstrual flow, and soaking through one or more tampons or pads per hour.(5)

Historically, these sufferers have been told their only options for dealing with unruly periods involved hormonal contraceptives, surgery such as hysterectomy, or pain relievers like ibuprofen.  Recently, the FDA approved LYSTEDA™ (tranexamic acid) tablets, the only oral non-hormonal and non-surgical therapy indicated specifically for the treatment of women with cyclic HMB.  In clinical studies, LYSTEDA significantly reduced menstrual blood loss (MBL) over three and six cycles of use compared with placebo, with the reduction seen as early as the first cycle of use.  It also significantly reduced limitations on social, leisure, and physical activities in women with cyclic HMB.  LYSTEDA tablets are taken only during the menstrual period for up to five days.

Living With HMB:

The key findings from the Living with HMB survey include:

• The vast majority of women (92%) are very frustrated by having HMB, and nearly nine out of ten (89%) say their life during their period would greatly improve if they could reduce their menstrual flow.  During their period, 82% of women with HMB are often anxious about managing their flow.
• Nearly two in three women with HMB (64%) report that the condition has a significant negative impact on their social, leisure, and physical activities.
• HMB affects relationships. More than half (55 percent) of women who experience HMB report that the condition negatively affects their sex life, and these women are nearly four times as likely as those whose sex life has not been negatively impacted by HMB (44 percent vs. 12 percent) to report that their relationship with their significant other has also been affected.
• Many women are unable to manage their regular responsibilities because of HMB.  Nearly half (47%) cannot adequately perform everyday household chores.  More than a third (37%) report that HMB negatively impacts their job, and 19% say it affects their ability to care for their family.
• HMB also has a significant financial impact.  Of note, 5% of women with HMB have lost their jobs because they had to miss work due to their bleeding.
• For the vast majority of women, HMB makes them feel drained (92%), while 84% are always afraid it will show and others will know.  However, many women have simply accepted their HMB as a normal part of their life.  
• Remarkably, 37% have never even talked to a healthcare professional about their HMB.  The main reasons are that they think their heavy menstrual bleeding is normal (42%) and/or they think there is nothing their doctor can do about it (41%).
• Some women who haven't discussed HMB with a healthcare professional (21%) are simply too embarrassed to talk about their condition. Nearly two-thirds of all women with HMB (65%) would feel more comfortable discussing their HMB if there was greater awareness about the condition.
• About nine out of ten women with HMB wish there were more non-surgical (90%) and/or non-hormonal (89%) treatment options.

Methodology

The Living with HMB survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive® on behalf of Ferring Pharmaceuticals from June 7 to June 15, 2010 among 501 women aged 18-49.  Respondents were women who have not been diagnosed with any bleeding or clotting disorder, typically experience a heavy or very heavy monthly period, and experience menstrual flow that soaks through one or more tampons or pads per hour when their period is at its heaviest.  Results were weighted as needed to reflect the U.S. population of women aged 18-49.  This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.  For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Annie Alley of Kovak-Likly Communications at 203-762-8833 or [email protected].

About Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is one of the world's leading custom market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Serving clients in over 215 countries and territories through our North American, European, and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help us - and our clients - stay ahead of what's next. For more information, please visit http://www.harrisinteractive.com/.

About HMB

In women with normal menstruation, the body's healthy blood-clotting process helps to manage the rate of blood flow.  In contrast, women with HMB experience a breakdown of blood clots, or fibrinolysis, which occurs more rapidly than normal, causing excessive bleeding during menstruation.  

In some cases, the cause of HMB is unknown. However, a number of conditions may result in heavy menstrual flow, including a hormonal imbalance, ovary dysfunction, uterine fibroids and polyps, and other complications.(5)

About LYSTEDA™

LYSTEDA(TM) (tranexamic acid) tablets are indicated for the treatment of cyclic heavy menstrual bleeding.  Prior to prescribing LYSTEDA, exclude endometrial pathology that can be associated with heavy menstrual bleeding.  For more information, visit www.lysteda.com.

Important Safety Information

Don't take LYSTEDA if you have or ever had a blood clot, or been told you're at risk for a blood clot, or are allergic to LYSTEDA or tranexamic acid. LYSTEDA can cause serious side effects. The risk of blood clots may increase if you take LYSTEDA with hormonal contraceptives, blood clotting, some leukemia medicines. Other serious side effects are eye changes and allergic reactions. Stop taking LYSTEDA if you have eye problems, shortness of breath, your throat feels tight, and get medical help right away. Most common side effects include: headaches, sinus and nasal problems, back, abdominal, muscle or joint pain, anemia, and fatigue.

About Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a subsidiary of Ferring Pharmaceuticals, a privately owned, international pharmaceutical company.  Ferring Pharmaceuticals offers a line of products in the U.S. market.  They include: BRAVELLE® (urofollitropin for injection, purified), MENOPUR® (menotropins for injection, USP) and REPRONEX® (menotropins for injection, USP), NOVAREL® (chorionic gonadotropin for injection, USP), ENDOMETRIN® (progesterone) Vaginal Insert, FIRMAGON® (degarelix for injection), PROSED® DS (methenamine, phenyl salicylate, methylene blue, benzoic acid, hyoscyamine sulfate), DESMOPRESSIN, and EUFLEXXA® (1% sodium hyaluronate).

Ferring Pharmaceuticals specializes in the research, development and commercialization of compounds in general and pediatric endocrinology, urology, orthopaedics, gastroenterology, obstetrics/gynecology, and infertility.  For more information, call 1-888-FERRING (1-888-337-7464) or visit www.FerringUSA.com.

References

1. See Methodology section above for complete sample definition.
2. U.S. Census Bureau, 2006-2008 American Community Survey. Available at: http://factfinder.census.gov/. Accessed April 7, 2010.
3. Tufts Medical Center website. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding. Available at: http://tufts-nemc.org. Accessed April 7, 2010.
4. IMS Health NDTI Data.
5. Mayo Clinic. Menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding).  Available at: www.mayoclinic.com/health/menorrhagia/ds00394. Accessed May 27, 2010.

SOURCE Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.