Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for heavy bleeding or pain associated with intrauterine-device use.
BACKGROUND
Heavy bleeding and pain are the most common reasons why women discontinue IUDs. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, have been shown to be effective in reducing menstrual bleeding and pain in women without IUDs.


OBJECTIVE
This review summarizes all randomized controlled trials studying use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for treatment of bleeding or pain associated with IUD use. Trials of prophylactic use of these drugs around the time of IUD insertion were also included.


METHODS
We performed searches of PubMed, CENTRAL, POPLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, and CINAHL for relevant trials. We also wrote to the authors of all trials identified to seek other published or unpublished trials.


METHODS
We included all randomized controlled trials in any language that tested one or more nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for treatment or prevention of bleeding or pain associated with IUD insertion or use.


METHODS
Two authors independently abstracted data from relevant trials, and we entered data into RevMan for analysis.


RESULTS
We found 15 trials from 10 countries; the total number of participants was 2702. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (naproxen, suprofen, mefenamic acid, ibuprofen, indomethacin, flufenamic acid, alclofenac, and diclofenac) were effective in reducing menstrual blood loss associated with IUD use. This held true for women with and without complaints of heavy bleeding. Similarly, these drugs were effective in reducing pain associated with IUD use. In contrast, prophylactic use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs had mixed results; studies with ibuprofen found no effect on pain after insertion on IUD discontinuation. No important differences emerged in the one trial comparing the effect of different NSAIDs on bleeding.


CONCLUSIONS
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce bleeding and pain associated with IUD use. NSAIDs should be considered first-line therapy; if NSAIDs are ineffective, tranexamic acid may be considered as second-line therapy. Prophylactic ibuprofen administration with the first six menses after insertion appears unwarranted.
Grimes
D A
DA
Family Health International, Clinical Research Department, PO Box 13950, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC 27709, USA. dgrimes@fhi.org
Hubacher
D
D
Lopez
L M
LM
Schulz
K F
KF
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007434:Intrauterine Devices / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal