The Effect of Mefenamic Acid and Naproxen on Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: A Placebo-Controlled Study

Background. Heavy menstrual bleeding is a common complaint. Various therapeutic approaches have been suggested.Aim. To compare the efficacy of mefenamic acid and naproxen in reducing heavy menstrual bleeding.Methods. Women referred to an outpatient centre for treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding were recruited. Participants who met the inclusion criteria were evaluated for 6 menstrual cycles. During 3 control cycles they recorded the amount of their bleeding on the Pictorial Blood Assessment Chart to confirm that their menstrual bleeding was heavy. One hundred and twenty participants were then randomly assigned to receive mefenamic acid; naproxen or placebo; and asked to fill in the same questionnaires during 3 intervention cycles. The data were analysed using SPSS version 15 for Windows.Results. Participants receiving mefenamic acid experienced a marked decrease in bleeding during the 3 months of intervention; an initial sharp decrease being followed by a further lesser decrease (p0.05 within group). Bleeding lessened dramatically in the first month of the intervention in participants receiving naproxen; and dropped still further in the second and third months (p0.05 within group). In the placebo group there were slight changes in bleeding during the intervention (p0.05 within group). However; the total decrease in bleeding was greatest in the naproxen arm; and the differences between the groups were statistically significant (p0.05 between groups).Conclusion. All three interventions had positive effects on the mean amount of bleeding; although naproxen was more effective than mefenamic acid and much more effective than placebo

Maladie de Willebrand et menorragie

Introduction : Connue depuis plus de 70 ans; la maladie de Willebrand (MW) est la plus frequente des pathologies hemorragiques hereditaires. Decrite depuis 1926 par le Pr Von Willebrand au sein d'une famille dont plusieurs membres presentaient un syndrome hemorragique; la MW se manifeste surtout par des hemorragies muqueuses et post operatoires. Chez la femme; la MW est a l'origine de menorragies d'abondance variable. Nous nous sommes propose au cours de ce travail de rechercher la maladie de Willebrand chez des femmes presentant une menorragie en suivant une demarche simple anamnestique; clinique et biologique. Patients et methode : Cinquante deux femmes en age de procreer presentant des menorragies ou des menometrorragies ont ete recrutees au sein durant 17 mois au sein du laboratoire d'hematologie de l'hopital Aristide le Dantec; des services de gynecologie et obstetriques des hopitaux Aristide le Dantec; Abass Ndao et Grand Yoff. Resultats : Parmi 52 femmes recrutees 8 ont presentes une maladie de willebrand ; soit une prevalence de 15.Le diagnostic de maladie de willebrand a ete retenu sur la base de faisceaux d'arguments : anamnestiques; cliniques et biologiques. Conclusion : Ces arguments simples accessibles devrait permettre une meilleurs prise en charge des patients souffrant de maladie hemorragique aussi bien sur le plan diagnostic que therapeutique