Coagulation factors and fibrinolytic proteins in menstrual fluid collected from normal and menorrhagic women.

Menstrual fluid was collected in vaginal cups inserted for 2 h during the first 2 days of menstruation and selected coagulation and fibrinolytic proteins were measured. All the samples showed a virtual absence of thrombin generating activity and exhaustion of fibrinolytic proteins. In 14 women in whom menstrual fluid was collected on both days, no significant difference in the levels of any factor was found apart from alpha-2-macroglobulin which were lower on day 1 than on day 2. Except for plasminogen and alpha-2-macroglobulin concentrations on day 1, no correlation was found between any of the factors on either day and menstrual blood loss (range 15-666 ml).