Treatment for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: The 3 Best Medications
Women who experience heavy menstrual bleeding are not alone. According to CNN.com, nearly ten million women also experience heavy menstrual bleeding, dampening their ability to work or play comfortably. But several drugs, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), aim to lessen the heavy bleeding caused by their menstrual cycles.
Treatments for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
Novasure Treatment: This outpatient procedure is performed by inserting a wand into the cervix, which blasts energy onto the uterine lining for around 90 seconds. The result? Complete removal of the uterine lining, which they claim dramatically reduces or eliminates heavy bleeding. According to their statistics, 95 percent of women eliminated their menstrual bleeding completely, whereas 64 percent also experienced less menstrual pain.
Although Novasure also has its side effects, it is generally considered safer compared to other surgical treatments, including a hysterectomy. It can decrease a woman's ability to get pregnant, however, and can increase the risk of pregnancy-related complications.
Levonorgestrel IUD Treatment: Better known as Mirena, this birth control device is inserted into the cervix to provide continuous protection against pregnancy. The FDA approved it for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding in October 2009 after patients reported it stopped their menstrual cycle. Medscape reports this is mostly true: 85 percent decreased their menstrual bleeding by half while using Mirena. It can cause unwanted side effects, however, including pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea (severe menstrual pain) and irregular spotting.
Lysteda Treatment : This non-hormonal drug was first prescribed in 1986 to stop bleeding in people with hemophilia during dental procedures, helping to control excessive bleeding. Recently scientists discovered it also reduced heavy menstrual bleeding in women, which led to its approval for the treatment of heavy menstrual cycles in November 2009.
Like Mirena, Lysteda also carries some risks, and can increase the risk of blood clots, heart attack or stroke. This risk also increases if women are already undergoing hormonal treatment, such as using birth control or hormone shots to prevent pregnancy. It can also cause pain in the abdomen, back, joints and muscles.
Are These Treatments Right for Me?
Like most treatments, Novasure, Mirena and Lysteda all carry significant risks. While they may treat heavy menstrual cycles, they can also decrease your fertility or cause additional pain. Women over 35 may not be eligible to use these treatments, either. Your physician can determine the best and safest treatment for you.
Sources:
Leslie Goldman, "Period Makeovers: Fixes for Heavy Bleeding, Cramps" (CNN.com)
"About the NovaSure Procedure" (NovaSure.com)
Yael Waknine, "Levonorgestrel IUD Approved to Treat Heavy Menstrual Bleeding" (Medscape.com)
"FDA Approves Lysteda to Treat Heavy Menstrual Bleeding" (FDA.gov)
Published by Ann Olson - Featured Contributor in Health & Wellness
When I'm not lifting 200 lbs. off the ground with my bare hands, I moonlight as a freelance reporter and diet consultant. What I do: I write regular diet and exercise-oriented columns for Yahoo! Sports, Yah... View profile
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- Mirena, an intrauterine device, treats excessive bleeding while preventing pregnancy.
- Lysteda treats menstrual bleeding but has several side effects.