Medical therapies for chronic menorrhagia.
An estimated 10%-30% of menstruating women experience menorrhagia at some time during their reproductive lives. Acute menorrhagia may present as an emergency requiring prompt medical or surgical intervention. Chronic menorrhagia affects a woman's quality of life in her work, family, and social interactions. Medical management is the first line of therapy for chronic menorrhagia. Agents that have been used to treat menorrhagia include iron, cyclooxygenase inhibitors, desmopressin, antifibrinolytics, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, androgens, combined oral contraceptives, and progestins. Progestins can be administered systemically or locally and may be given cyclically or continuously. Increased use of effective medical therapies has the potential to reduce the number of surgical procedures, such as endometrial ablation and hysterectomy.
Nelson
Anita L
AL
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California 90509-2910, USA. anitanelsonwhc@earthlink.net
Teal
Stephanie B
SB
D000728:Androgens / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008595:Menorrhagia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011372:Progestins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014238:Trichloroacetic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000728:Androgens; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D011372:Progestins; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D014238:Trichloroacetic Acid; D007501:Iron