Hormone-releasing IUDs are significantly more effective than the contraceptive pill for treating heavy or abnormal menstrual bleeding in women still wanting to have a baby, a research review has found.
With one in 20 women experiencing abnormal uterine bleeding, such as heavy or long periods or bleeding in between periods, it's important clinicians and patients are informed on the best available treatment options, says lead researcher Dr Annabelle Brennan.
"This is an issue women are struggling with every day," she said.
"Heavy menstrual bleeding has a significant impact on a woman's quality of life. We know women miss work, face bleeding through clothing, often take a change of clothes with them and miss out on activities with friends and family as a result of their heavy bleeding."
Published in the Medical Journal of Australia, the research review conducted by researchers at Royal Women's Hospital found that the use of IUDs as a treatment for abnormal uterine bleeding had almost doubled in the past five years.
While a hysterectomy provides the most effective treatment for women who have completed their family, the review found that hormone-releasing IUDs, such as the Mirena, is the most effective form of non-surgical treatment for women still wanting to remain fertile.
Dr Brennan said the research showed more than 97 per cent of women experienced a reduction in blood loss and around half of patients stopped having their menstrual cycle altogether which is what an IUD - a form of contraceptive - is supposed to achieve.
"They reduce blood loss significantly," she said.
The IUD is far superior when compared to oral contraceptives, Dr Brennan said.
"In terms of the oral contraceptive we're not seeing nearly that level of improvement in blood loss, they really don't compare," she said.
It's hoped the finding of the research review will give clinicians more confidence with the treatment options available to them and empower women to make more informed decisions.
Hormone-releasing IUD's steadily release low levels of progesterone to keep the lining of the womb thin.
Dr Brennan said women should feel confident using the IUDs but recommended women chat to their GP if they had any concerns.
"They do need to be inserted by a trained clinician and within medical treatment we would say they do have potential risk but certainly the data shows that those risks are less than one per cent," she said.
Share
