Comparison of safety and efficacy of Ormeloxifene and Norethisterone acetate in the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding

ABSTRACT

Background: Menorrhagia (menstrual blood loss more than 80% per cycle) affects 10-33% of women at some stage of their lives. Medical management is the first line of therapy for menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding HMB). Progestins have been found to be very effective in the management of heavy menstrual bleeding especially during acute episodes, norethisterone acetate being widely used for the same. Ormeloxifene is a new drug with promising results in managing HMB. The study was undertaken to compare the efficacy, safety and acceptability of Ormeloxifene /Norethisterone acetate in the medical management of heavy menstrual bleeding.Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted from January 2016 till December 2018 in which 98 women of reproductive age group presented with abnormal uterine bleeding without any organic, systematic and iatrogenic causes. The patients were divided into 2 groups. Those wanting contraception along with control of HMB were assigned to Group O and given Ormeloxifene and others were given norethisterone (Group N). The primary outcomes measured were menstrual blood loss assessed subjectively by patients and ultrasonography for endometrial thickness. The secondary outcomes measured were acceptability and side effects of Ormeloxifene and norethisterone.Results: There is a significant reduction in menstrual blood loss as evidenced by the history of patients recorded on follow up and there was a significant reduction in the endometrial thickness as evidenced on follow up scan at the end of 3-4 months. no major side effects were observed with both the drugs.Conclusions: Ormeloxifene in comparison to norethisterone acetate with its effectiveness, significant results, convenient dosages schedule and no major side effects is an effective and safe alternative medical management of HMB.