Reduction of menstrual blood loss by danazol in unexplained menorrhagia: lack of effect of placebo

Variation of outcome reporting in studies of interventions for heavy menstrual bleeding: a systematic review

Background: Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) detrimentally effects women. It is important to be able to compare treatments and synthesise data to understand which interventions are most beneficial, however, when there is variation in outcome reporting, this is difficult. Objectives: To identify variation in reported outcomes in clinical studies of interventions for HMB. Materials and methods: Searches were performed in medical databases and trial registries, using the terms ‘heavy menstrual bleeding’, menorrhagia*, hypermenorrhoea*, HMB, “heavy period „period“, effective*, therapy*, treatment, intervention, manage* and associated MeSH terms. Two authors independently reviewed and selected citations according to pre-defined selection criteria, including both randomised and observational studies. The following data were extracted- study characteristics, methodology and quality, and all reported outcomes. Analysis considered the frequency of reporting. Results: There were 14 individual primary outcomes, however reporting was varied, resulting in 45 specific primary outcomes. There were 165 specific secondary outcomes. The most reported outcomes were menstrual blood loss and adverse events. Conclusions: A core outcome set (COS) would reduce the evident variation in reporting of outcomes in studies of HMB, allowing more complete combination and comparison of study results and preventing reporting bias. What is new? This in-depth review of past research into heavy menstrual bleeding shows that there is the need for a core outcome set for heavy menstrual bleeding.

Interventions for heavy menstrual bleeding; overview of Cochrane reviews and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is excessive menstrual blood loss that interferes with women's quality of life, regardless of the absolute amount of bleeding. It is a very common condition in women of reproductive age, affecting 2 to 5 of every 10 women. Diverse treatments, either medical (hormonal or non-hormonal) or surgical, are currently available for HMB, with different effectiveness, acceptability, costs and side effects. The best treatment will depend on the woman's age, her intention to become pregnant, the presence of other symptoms, and her personal views and preferences.

OBJECTIVES

To identify, systematically assess and summarise all evidence from studies included in Cochrane Reviews on treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), using reviews with comparable participants and outcomes; and to present a ranking of the first- and second-line treatments for HMB.

METHODS

We searched for published Cochrane Reviews of HMB interventions in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. The primary outcomes were menstrual bleeding and satisfaction. Secondary outcomes included quality of life, adverse events and the requirement of further treatment. Two review authors independently selected the systematic reviews, extracted data and assessed quality, resolving disagreements by discussion. We assessed review quality using the Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) 2 tool and evaluated the certainty of the evidence for each outcome using GRADE methods. We grouped the interventions into first- and second-line treatments, considering participant characteristics (desire for future pregnancy, failure of previous treatment, candidacy for surgery). First-line treatments included medical interventions, and second-line treatments included both the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) and surgical treatments; thus the LNG-IUS is included in both groups. We developed different networks for first- and second-line treatments. We performed network meta-analyses of all outcomes, except for quality of life, where we performed pairwise meta-analyses. We reported the mean rank, the network estimates for mean difference (MD) or odds ratio (OR), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and the certainty of evidence (moderate, low or very low certainty). We also analysed different endometrial ablation and resection techniques separately from the main network: transcervical endometrial resection (TCRE) with or without rollerball, other resectoscopic endometrial ablation (REA), microwave non-resectoscopic endometrial ablation (NREA), hydrothermal ablation NREA, bipolar NREA, balloon NREA and other NREA.

MAIN RESULTS

We included nine systematic reviews published in the Cochrane Library up to July 2021. We updated the reviews that were over two years old. In July 2020, we started the overview with no new reviews about the topic. The included medical interventions were: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antifibrinolytics (tranexamic acid), combined oral contraceptives (COC), combined vaginal ring (CVR), long-cycle and luteal oral progestogens, LNG-IUS, ethamsylate and danazol (included to provide indirect evidence), which were compared to placebo. Surgical interventions were: open (abdominal), minimally invasive (vaginal or laparoscopic) and unspecified (or surgeon's choice of route of) hysterectomy, REA, NREA, unspecified endometrial ablation (EA) and LNG-IUS. We grouped the interventions as follows. First-line treatments Evidence from 26 studies with 1770 participants suggests that LNG-IUS results in a large reduction of menstrual blood loss (MBL; mean rank 2.4, MD -105.71 mL/cycle, 95% CI -201.10 to -10.33; low certainty evidence); antifibrinolytics probably reduce MBL (mean rank 3.7, MD -80.32 mL/cycle, 95% CI -127.67 to -32.98; moderate certainty evidence); long-cycle progestogen reduces MBL (mean rank 4.1, MD -76.93 mL/cycle, 95% CI -153.82 to -0.05; low certainty evidence), and NSAIDs slightly reduce MBL (mean rank 6.4, MD -40.67 mL/cycle, -84.61 to 3.27; low certainty evidence; reference comparator mean rank 8.9). We are uncertain of the true effect of the remaining interventions and the sensitivity analysis for reduction of MBL, as the evidence was rated as very low certainty. We are uncertain of the true effect of any intervention (very low certainty evidence) on the perception of improvement and satisfaction. Second-line treatments Bleeding reduction is related to the type of hysterectomy (total or supracervical/subtotal), not the route, so we combined all routes of hysterectomy for bleeding outcomes. We assessed the reduction of MBL without imputed data (11 trials, 1790 participants) and with imputed data (15 trials, 2241 participants). Evidence without imputed data suggests that hysterectomy (mean rank 1.2, OR 25.71, 95% CI 1.50 to 439.96; low certainty evidence) and REA (mean rank 2.8, OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.29 to 5.66; low certainty evidence) result in a large reduction of MBL, and NREA probably results in a large reduction of MBL (mean rank 2.0, OR 3.32, 95% CI 1.53 to 7.23; moderate certainty evidence). Evidence with imputed data suggests hysterectomy results in a large reduction of MBL (mean rank 1.0, OR 14.31, 95% CI 2.99 to 68.56; low certainty evidence), and NREA probably results in a large reduction of MBL (mean rank 2.2, OR 2.87, 95% CI 1.29 to 6.05; moderate certainty evidence). We are uncertain of the true effect for REA (very low certainty evidence). We are uncertain of the effect on amenorrhoea (very low certainty evidence). Evidence from 27 trials with 4284 participants suggests that minimally invasive hysterectomy results in a large increase in satisfaction (mean rank 1.3, OR 7.96, 95% CI 3.33 to 19.03; low certainty evidence), and NREA also increases satisfaction (mean rank 3.6, OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.09 to 2.33; low certainty evidence), but we are uncertain of the true effect of the remaining interventions (very low certainty evidence).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Evidence suggests LNG-IUS is the best first-line treatment for reducing menstrual blood loss (MBL); antifibrinolytics are probably the second best, and long-cycle progestogens are likely the third best. We cannot make conclusions about the effect of first-line treatments on perception of improvement and satisfaction, as evidence was rated as very low certainty. For second-line treatments, evidence suggests hysterectomy is the best treatment for reducing bleeding, followed by REA and NREA. We are uncertain of the effect on amenorrhoea, as evidence was rated as very low certainty. Minimally invasive hysterectomy may result in a large increase in satisfaction, and NREA also increases satisfaction, but we are uncertain of the true effect of the remaining second-line interventions, as evidence was rated as very low certainty.

Danazol

A comprehensive profile of danazol describing the nomenclatures, formulae, elemental composition, appearance, uses and applications is presented. The profile contains the method which was utilized for the preparation of the drug substance and its respective scheme is outlined. The physical characteristics of the drug including the solubility, X-ray powder diffraction pattern, differential scanning calorimetry, thermal behavior and spectroscopic studies are described. The methods which were used for the analysis of the drug substance in bulk drug and/or in pharmaceutical formulations including the compendial, spectrophotometric, electrochemical and the chromatographic methods are reported. The stability, toxicity, pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, drug evaluation and monitoring, comparisons, pharmacology, in addition to several compiled reviews on the drug substance which were involved. Finally, two hundred and seventy-nine references are listed at the end of this profile.

Heavy menstrual bleeding diagnosis and medical management

Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is a common gynecological problem that has a significant impact on a woman’s quality of life and the activities of daily living. Due to the difficulty in accurately describing menstrual bleeding abnormalities using older terminology, the PALM-COEIN classification system of the Federation Internationale de Gynecologie et d’Obstetrique was proposed to describe and identify the etiology of abnormal endometrial bleeding. As there is no single pathway that is associated with HMB, there are several therapeutic interventions involving different molecular pathways to reduce HMB. This article will highlight the current evidence as it relates to the etiology of HMB as well as medical modalities of treatment.

The medical management of abnormal uterine bleeding in reproductive-aged women

In the treatment of women with abnormal uterine bleeding, once a thorough history, physical examination, and indicated imaging studies are performed and all significant structural causes are excluded, medical management is the first-line approach. Determining the acuity of the bleeding, the patient's medical history, assessing risk factors, and establishing a diagnosis will individualize their medical regimen. In acute abnormal uterine bleeding with a normal uterus, parenteral estrogen, a multidose combined oral contraceptive regimen, a multidose progestin-only regimen, and tranexamic acid are all viable options, given the appropriate clinical scenario. Heavy menstrual bleeding can be treated with a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system, combined oral contraceptives, continuous oral progestins, and tranexamic acid with high efficacy. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs may be utilized with hormonal methods and tranexamic acid to decrease menstrual bleeding. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists are indicated in patients with leiomyoma and abnormal uterine bleeding in preparation for surgical interventions. In women with inherited bleeding disorders all hormonal methods as well as tranexamic acid can be used to treat abnormal uterine bleeding. Women on anticoagulation therapy should consider using progestin-only methods as well as a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist to treat their heavy menstrual bleeding. Given these myriad options for medical treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding, many patients may avoid surgical intervention.

Comparative study of vaginal danazol vs diphereline (a synthetic GnRH agonist) in the control of bleeding during hysteroscopic myomectomy in women with abnormal uterine bleeding: a randomized controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

To compare the usefulness of vaginal danazol and diphereline in the management of intra-operative bleeding during hysteroscopy.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled clinical trial.

SETTING

University hospital.

PATIENTS

One hundred and ninety participants of reproductive age were enrolled for operative hysteroscopy. Thirty women were excluded from the study.

INTERVENTIONS

One hundred and sixty participants with submucous myomas were allocated at random to receive either vaginal danazol (200mg BID, 30 days before surgery) or intramuscular diphereline (twice with a 28-day interval).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Severity of intra-operative bleeding, clarity of the visual field, volume of media, operative time, success rate for completion of operation and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

Overall, 145 patients completed the study. In the danazol group, 78.1% of patients experienced no intra-operative uterine bleeding, and 21.9% experienced mild bleeding. In the diphereline group, 19.4% of patients experienced no intra-operative uterine bleeding, but mild, moderate and severe bleeding was observed in 31.9%, 45.8% and 2.8% of patients, respectively. The difference between the groups was significant (p<0.001). A clear visual field was reported more frequently in the danazol group compared with the diphereline group (98.6% vs 29.2%, p<0.001). The mean operative time was 10.9 min and 10.6 min in the danazol and diphereline groups, respectively (p=0.79). The mean volume of infused media was 2.0L in both groups (p=0.99). The success rate was 100% for both groups with no intra-operative complications.

CONCLUSION

Both vaginal danazol and diphereline were effective in controlling uterine bleeding during operative hysteroscopy. However, vaginal danazol provided a clearer visual field.

Management of menorrhagia associated with chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia in women with hematologic malignancy

Abnormal uterine bleeding in women with a blood dyscrasia, such as leukemia, or who experience thrombocytopenia secondary to myelosuppressive chemotherapy is a clinical condition associated with significant morbidity. Consequently, effective management is necessary to prevent adverse outcomes. Prevention of menorrhagia, defined as heavy regular menstrual cycles with more than 80 ml of blood loss/cycle or a cycle duration longer than 7 days, in this patient population is the goal of therapy. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs (e.g., leuprolide) are promising therapies that have been shown to decrease vaginal bleeding during periods of thrombocytopenia and to have minimal adverse effects other than those associated with gonadal inhibition. In patients who experience menorrhagia despite preventive therapies, or in patients who have thrombocytopenia and menorrhagia at diagnosis, treatment is indicated. For these women, treatment options may include platelet transfusions, antifibrinolytic therapy (e.g., tranexamic acid), continuous high-dose oral contraceptives, cyclic progestins, or other therapies for more refractory patients such as danazol, desmopressin, and recombinant factor VIIa. Hormonal therapies are often the mainstay of therapy in women with menorrhagia secondary to thrombocytopenia, but data for these agents are sparse. The most robust data for the treatment of menorrhagia are for tranexamic acid. Most women receiving tranexamic acid in randomized trials experienced meaningful reductions in menstrual bleeding, and this translated into improved quality of life; however, these trials were not performed in patients with cancer. Further clinical trials are warranted to evaluate both preventive and therapeutic agents for menorrhagia in premenopausal women with cancer who are receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy.

Danazol for heavy menstrual bleeding

BACKGROUND

Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is an important cause of ill health in pre menopausal women. Medical therapy, with the avoidance of possibly unnecessary surgery is an attractive treatment option, but there is considerable variation in practice and uncertainty about the most effective therapy. Danazol is a synthetic steroid with anti-oestrogenic and anti progestogenic activity, and weak androgenic properties. Danazol suppresses oestrogen and progesterone receptors in the endometrium, leading to endometrial atrophy (thinning of the lining of the uterus) and reduced menstrual loss and to amenorrhoea in some women.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effectiveness and tolerability of Danazol when used for heavy menstrual bleeding in women of reproductive years.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group's Specialised Register (April 2007). We also searched the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2007), MEDLINE (1966 to April 2007), EMBASE (1980 to April 2007, CINAHL (1982 to April 2007). Attempts were also made to identify trials from citation lists of included trials and relevant review articles.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials of Danazol versus placebo, any other medical (non-surgical) therapy or Danazol in different dosages for heavy menstrual bleeding in women of reproductive age with regular HMB measured either subjectively or objectively. Trials that included women with post menopausal bleeding, intermenstrual bleeding and pathological causes of heavy menstrual bleeding were excluded.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Nine RCTs, with 353 women, were identified that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Quality assessment and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers. The main outcomes were menstrual blood loss, the number of women experiencing adverse effects, weight gain, withdrawals due to adverse effects and dysmenorrhoea. If data could not be extracted in a form suitable for meta-analysis, they were presented in a descriptive format.

MAIN RESULTS

Most data were not in a form suitable for meta analysis, and the results are based on a small number of trials, all of which are under-powered. Danazol appears to be more effective than placebo, progestogens, NSAIDs and the OCP at reducing MBL, but confidence intervals were wide. Treatment with Danazol caused more adverse events than NSAIDs (OR 7.0; 95% CI 1.7 to 28.2) and progestogens (OR 4.05, 95% CI 1.6 to10.2). Danazol was shown to significantly lower the duration of menses when compared with NSAIDs (WMD -1.0; 95% CI -1.8 to -0.3) and a progesterone releasing IUD (WMD -6.0; 95% CI -7.3 to -4.8). There were no randomised trials comparing Danazol with tranexamic acid or the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Danazol appears to be an effective treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding compared to other medical treatments. The use of Danazol may be limited by its side effect profile, its acceptability to women and the need for continuing treatment. The small number of trials, and the small sample sizes of the included trials limit the recommendations for clinical care. Further studies are unlikely in the future and this review will not be updated unless further studies are identified.

Management of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: Is Hysterectomy the Radical Mastectomy of Gynecology?

Both hysterectomy for heavy menstrual bleeding and radical mastectomy for breast cancer are steeped in the history of surgery and have recently been challenged as being too radical for the disorder at hand. Radical mastectomy has largely been replaced with local removal of the tumor with subsequent radiation and/or chemotherapy. Alternatives to hysterectomy include a number of medical interventions, most notably intrauterine progestin-releasing systems, and endometrial ablation, a procedure that has a relatively high success rate and one that is now feasible for many women in an office or procedure room setting. However, although radical mastectomy rates have dropped precipitously, hysterectomy rates, at least in the United States remain relatively stable. Determining the proportion of hysterectomies that are done for heavy menstrual bleeding is difficult, largely because of coding issues, so it is difficult to measure the impact of new medical and minimally invasive surgical procedures. Nevertheless, it seems clear that many women are not exposed to the plethora of options to hysterectomy, a fact that may reflect a number of issues that may include training, skill, and financial incentives or disincentives. Clearly, options to hysterectomy are not a panacea, but if women are empowered to select from all of the options available, the rate of hysterectomy for bleeding should decrease while maintaining, or even enhancing the patient's satisfaction with care.

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: Medical Treatment with Vaginal Danazol and Five-Year Follow-up

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical efficacy and patient satisfaction of long-term danazol delivered vaginally as treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding.

DESIGN

Prospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-3).

SETTING

University hospital.

PATIENTS

Twenty premenopausal women with endometrial hyperplasia or endometrial polyps.

INTERVENTION

After curettage or hysteroscopic-directed biopsies, women used one 200-mg tablet of danazol vaginally every day, continuing the therapy as long as they were totally satisfied with it.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Women were instructed to keep a diary of menstrual bleeding and to rate blood loss on a visual analog scale from zero (no blood loss) to 10 (gushing-type bleeding). They were seen every month for 3 months, then every 3 months for 9 months, and then every 6 months for 4 years for Papanicolau smear, pelvic examination, and transvaginal ultrasonography. They were asked to bring their diary of menstrual bleeding. They were asked about side effects and their satisfaction with the therapy. Peripheral blood was drawn for blood count and serum chemistries. Hysteroscopic-directed biopsies were repeated after 3 months of therapy in women with endometrial hyperplasia. The severity of blood loss was significantly reduced in all women after 3 months of treatment. All women with endometrial hyperplasia had regression of hyperplastic endometrium. None of the women with endometrial polyps had sonographic signs of recurrence during therapy. Only 10 women (50%) completed 1-year follow-up, and only 5 women (25%) completed 5-year follow-up.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that long-term administration of vaginal danazol after curettage or hysteroscopic-directed biopsy is both efficacious and safe in women with heavy menstrual bleeding, but the rate of discontinuance is high.

Benefits and risks of pharmacological agents used for the treatment of menorrhagia

Menorrhagia affects the lives of many women. The assessment of menstrual flow is highly subjective and gauging the severity of the condition by objective assessment of menstrual blood loss is impractical. In treating menorrhagia, the primary aim should be to improve quality of life. Women are willing to undergo quite invasive treatment in order to achieve this. Drug therapy is the initial treatment of choice and the only option for those who wish to preserve their reproductive function. Despite the availability of a number of drugs, there is a general lack of an evidence-based approach, marked variation in practice and continuing uncertainty regarding the most appropriate therapy. Adverse effects and problems with compliance also undermine the success of medical treatment. This article reviews the available literature to compare the efficacy and tolerability of different medical treatments for menorrhagia. Tranexamic acid and mefenamic acid are among the most effective first-line drugs used to treat menorrhagia. Despite being used extensively in the past, oral luteal phase norethisterone is probably one of the least effective agents. Women requiring contraception have a choice of the combined oral contraceptive pill, levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) or long-acting progestogens. Danazol, gestrinone and gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues are all effective in terms of reducing menstrual blood loss but adverse effects and costs limit their long-term use. They have a role as second-line drugs for a short period of time in women awaiting surgery. While current evidence suggests that the LNG-IUS is an effective treatment, further evaluation, including long-term follow up, is awaited. Meanwhile, the quest continues for the ideal form of medical treatment for menorrhagia--one that is effective, affordable and acceptable.

Gynecologic problems of the perimenopause: evaluation and treatment

The gynecologic problems associated with the perimenopause and detailed in this review represent common and often vexing concerns for women during this transition. By heeding the evidence-based approaches to evaluation and treatment described herein, clinicians can improve the health and lives of their perimenopausal patients.

Danazol for heavy menstrual bleeding

BACKGROUND

Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is an important cause of ill health in pre menopausal women. Medical therapy, with the avoidance of possibly unnecessary surgery is an attractive treatment option, but there is considerable variation in practice and uncertainty about the most effective therapy. Danazol is a synthetic steroid with anti-oestrogenic and anti progestogenic activity, and weak androgenic properties. Danazol suppresses oestrogen and progesterone receptors in the endometrium, leading to endometrial atrophy (thinning of the lining of the uterus) and reduced menstrual loss and to amenorrhoea in some women.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effectiveness and tolerability of danazol when used for heavy menstrual bleeding in women of reproductive years.

SEARCH STRATEGY

All studies which might describe randomised controlled trials of danazol for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding were obtained by electronic searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Current Contents, CINAHL, National Research Register and the Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group's Specialist Register of controlled trials (on 6 November 2001). Attempts were also made to identify trials from citation lists of included trials and relevant review articles. In most cases the first author of each included trial was contacted for unpublished additional information.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials of danazol versus placebo, any other medical (non-surgical) therapy or danazol in different dosages for heavy menstrual bleeding in women of reproductive age with regular HMB measured either subjectively or objectively. Trials that included women with post menopausal bleeding, intermenstrual bleeding and pathological causes of heavy menstrual bleeding were excluded.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Nine RCTs, with 353 women, were identified that fulfilled the inclusion criteria for this review. Quality assessment and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers. The main outcomes were menstrual blood loss, the number of women experiencing adverse effects, weight gain, withdrawals due to adverse effects and dysmenorrhoea. If data could not be extracted in a form suitable for meta-analysis, they were presented in a descriptive format.

MAIN RESULTS

Most data were not in a form suitable for meta analysis, and the results are based on a small number of trials, all of which are under-powered. Danazol appears to be more effective than placebo, progestogens, NSAIDs and the OCP at reducing MBL, but confidence intervals were wide. Treatment with danazol caused more adverse events than NSAIDs (OR 7.0; 95% CI 1.7, 28.2) and progestogens (OR 4.05, 95% CI 1.6, 10.2), but this did not appear to affect adherence to treatment. Danazol was shown to significantly lower the duration of menses when compared with NSAIDs (WMD -1.0; 95% CI -1.8, -0.3) and a progesterone releasing IUD (WMD -6.0; 95% CI -7.3, -4.8). There were no randomised trials comparing danazol with tranexamic acid or the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system.

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS

Danazol appears to be an effective treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding compared to other medical treatments, though it is uncertain whether it is acceptable to women. The use of danazol may be limited by its side effect profile, its acceptability to women and the need for continuing treatment. Overall no strong recommendations can be made due to the small number of trials, and the small sample sizes of the included trials.

Pathophysiology of abnormal uterine bleeding

Abnormal uterine bleeding is a frequent patient complaint. Recognition of the severity of the problem, appropriate and timely evaluation, and treatment with good outcomes is the goal. The physician must determine which method of diagnosis he or she is most comfortable with, carefully consider the economic impact, and offer treatment that is best suited for each patient. With this practice patients will obtain maximum benefit from the newer treatments in development.

Altered uterine artery blood flow impedance after danazol therapy: possible mode of action in dysfunctional uterine bleeding

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that danazol increases the impedance to uterine circulation and hence reduces the effective uterine blood flow after a predetermined period of therapy.

DESIGN

Prospective, longitudinal study.

SETTING

Reproductive medicine unit of a university teaching hospital.

PATIENT(S)

Eight premenopausal women with dysfunctional uterine bleeding.

INTERVENTION(S)

Six weeks of danazol therapy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

The uterine artery blood flow impedance as indicated by the pulsatility and resistance indices; the hormonal profile (E2, FSH, and LH levels); the uterine dimensions (length, width, anteroposterior diameter, and area); and the endometrial thickness.

RESULT(S)

The indices of uterine artery impedance were significantly increased after danazol therapy, indicating a possible reduction in the effective uterine artery blood flow. There was no statistically significant change in the hormonal profile, uterine dimensions, or endometrial thickness.

CONCLUSION(S)

Danazol therapy for 6 weeks results in a significant increase in the uterine artery impedance and hence a possible reduction in the effective uterine artery blood flow. This may explain in part its efficacy in the management of dysfunctional uterine bleeding and in the preoperative preparation of women undergoing endoscopic endometrial ablation. The exact mechanism for its action in this regard remains to be determined but appears to be independent of E2 levels. This preliminary finding may help in monitoring the treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding, preoperative and postoperative investigation of women undergoing endoscopic endometrial ablation, and the development of alternative treatment strategies for dysfunctional uterine bleeding in the future.

Modern treatments of menorrhagia attributable to dysfunctional uterine bleeding

Menorrhagia (excessive uterine bleeding) affects some 20 percent of the women of reproductive age worldwide. The following review describes known and theorized etiologies of the disorder, followed by a discussion of treatment options that are currently in use as well as those on the horizon. There is much interest internationally in decreasing hysterectomy rates, particularly for those women with abnormal bleeding and anatomically normal uteri. It is these women who are the focus of this paper. Pharmacotherapy and surgery are the mainstay treatments for such patients with menorrhagia secondary to dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Most commonly, hormonal and nonhormonal medications are followed by dilatation and curettage, and ultimately, in many cases, hysterectomy. Endometrial ablation techniques have been evolving since the 1980s in response to the need for an efficacious, safer, and more cost-effective alternatives to hysterectomy. Hysteroscopic ablation achieves these goals but is difficult technically and requires significant additional training even for otherwise skilled and experienced gynecologists. The current decade has seen the development of many innovative approaches to performing endometrial ablation. These methods are intended to be much simpler to perform with less risk than electrosurgical or laser endometrial ablation. The final section of this article presents the published data to date on these new technologies, which should (in their refined state) revolutionize the treatment of menorrhagia secondary to dysfunctional uterine bleeding.

A randomised comparison of medical and hysteroscopic management in women consulting a gynaecologist for treatment of heavy menstrual loss

OBJECTIVES

To compare medical with hysteroscopic management in women referred to a gynaecologist complaining of heavy menstrual loss.

DESIGN

Single-centre randomised trial.

SETTING

A teaching hospital in the United Kingdom.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred and ninety-seven women seeking specialist treatment of heavy menstrual loss for the first time and willing to accept either treatment.

INTERVENTIONS

1. Medical treatments not previously used by the women prescribed by experienced gynaecologists in standard doses and timings for a minimum of three cycles (n = 94), and 2. transcervical resection of the endometrium performed under general anaesthesia five weeks after goserelin preparation (n = 93).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Treatment satisfaction and acceptability, relief of symptoms, change in haemoglobin, and improvement in health related quality of life, all after four months.

RESULTS

Women allocated transcervical resection were more likely to be totally or generally satisfied (76% versus 27%, P < 0.001), to find the treatment acceptable (93% versus 36%, P < 0.001), and willing to have the treatment again (93% versus 31%, P < 0.001). Although pain and bleeding were significantly reduced by medical treatment this was modest in comparison with transcervical resection (P < 0.001). Haemoglobin levels were significantly increased only following transcervical resection. Short form 36 scores were also improved in both arms, although only transcervical resection returned them to normal values.

CONCLUSIONS

Medical treatment was less effective than transcervical resection of the endometrium, irrespective of previous treatment or type of medical management. Early hysteroscopic endometrial surgery should be considered by such woman with the choice made by the woman after a full discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of all the options.

Management of abnormal uterine bleeding

Patients treated for dysfunctional uterine bleeding are separated into two groups: those with acute bleeding episodes and those with chronic repetitive bleeding problems. An acute bleeding episode is best controlled with the use of high-dose estrogen. A curettage is indicated for patients with acute bleeding resulting in hypovolemia, and a curettage or hysteroscopically directed biopsies is indicated for women with risk factors for endometrial cancer who have persistent bleeding problems. The management of anovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding is determined by the needs of the patient. In the adolescent medroxyprogesterone acetate is administered orally once a day for 10 days each month for > or = 3 months, and the patient is monitored closely thereafter. Oral contraceptives are used for women of reproductive age with anovulatory bleeding episodes who also require contraception. Clomiphene citrate is used for women of reproductive age with anovulatory bleeding who want to conceive. Oral medroxyprogesterone acetate is administered 10 days each month for 6 months for the treatment of anovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding alone in this age group. For the perimenopausal patient dysfunctional uterine bleeding may be treated by the administration of cyclic progestin or cyclic conjugated equine estrogens for 25 days with the concomitant administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate for days 18 to 25. The perimenopausal patient with dysfunctional uterine bleeding who is a nonsmoker and does not have evidence of vascular disease may also be treated with low-dose combination oral contraceptives. The long-term treatment for women with ovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding is the most difficult type of dysfunctional uterine bleeding to manage. The long-term therapy is directed at the reduction in menstrual blood loss. For these patients prolonged progestin use, oral contraceptives, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, antifibrinolytic agents, danazol, and as a last resort gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists are part of the therapeutic armamentarium. A combination of two or more of these agents is often required to successfully control the abnormal bleeding. For patients who no longer desire future fertility and have associated pelvic pathologic disorders or for those who fail all medical regimens, surgical therapy may be considered. Either hysterectomy or endometrial ablation has been used. Patients with von Willebrand's disease and excessive menstrual blood loss may be misdiagnosed as having dysfunctional uterine bleeding. van Willebrand's disease is the most common bleeding disorder and is present in approximately 1% of the population. It is much more common than previously recognized. There are improved diagnostic tests to identify this disorder and, most important, there is a high-concentration desmopressin acetate nasal spray available as treatment that does not involve the risk of transmission of hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus.

Comparative study of tranexamic acid and norethisterone in the treatment of ovulatory menorrhagia

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid and norethisterone in the treatment of ovulatory menorrhagia.

DESIGN

A randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled study.

SETTING

University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge.

SUBJECTS

One hundred and three women complaining of heavy periods with a regular cycle recruited directly from general practitioners within the hospital catchment area and from consultants' gynaecology clinics.

INTERVENTIONS

There were forty-six women on placebo with confirmed ovulatory menorrhagia, defined as menstrual blood loss greater than 80 ml/cycle and mid-luteal serum progesterone concentration greater than 9 nmol/l). Twenty-one received norethisterone (5 mg twice a day on days 19 and 26) and 25 received tranexamic acid (1 g four times daily on days 1 to 4) for two cycles.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Menstrual blood loss was measured using the alkaline haematin method. Haematological assessments were made both at the beginning and at the end of the study, questionnaires were given to assess subjective endpoints, and patients were asked to report any adverse events during all cycles.

RESULTS

Tranexamic acid reduced mean menstrual blood loss by 45%, from 175 ml to 97 ml (95% CI for the difference in menstrual blood loss 52 to 108, P < 0.0001), norethisterone increased mean blood loss by 20% from 173 ml to 208 ml (95% CI for the difference in menstrual blood loss -64 to 2, P = 0.26). Fourteen (56%) women who received tranexamic acid achieved a mean menstrual loss of less than 80 ml per cycle during treatment, but only two (9.5%) who received norethisterone achieved this mean menstrual loss. There were no serious adverse events reported for either drug.

CONCLUSIONS

Tranexamic acid is a safe and effective form of medical therapy in women with menorrhagia and is highly likely to normalise blood loss in women losing 80 to 200 ml prior to treatment. Norethisterone at this dose is not effective therapy for ovulatory menorrhagia.

Treating menorrhagia in primary care. An overview of drug trials and a survey of prescribing practice

Menorrhagia can be treated by drug therapy or surgery. General practitioners (GPs) can prescribe drugs to reduce menstrual blood loss as first-line treatment, referring patients for surgical treatment if drug therapy fails. This study examined the efficacy of drugs used to treat menorrhagia and surveyed British GPs to discover the extent to which they prescribed the most effective drugs for this condition. The results suggest that treatment of this condition in primary care falls short of desirable standards. A meta-analysis of randomized trials of drug therapy revealed wide differences in efficacy and side effects. The most effective drug (tranexamic acid) is little used by British GPs, whereas the least effective drug (norethisterone) is the most frequently prescribed.

Assessment of medical treatments for menorrhagia

Although usually not life-threatening, dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) can cause discomfort and disruption to life for many women. It has been poorly researched in the past, primarily because of difficulties in trying to accurately measure blood loss and response to treatment. There are several different therapies currently available but, for many, actual evidence of their efficacy is lacking from scientific data. Progestogens are the most frequently prescribed drugs for the treatment of DUB. Data support their use in anovulatory women but a number of comparative trials have shown that an overall reduction in blood loss of only 20% is achieved in ovulatory women. Their use, therefore, must be questioned as the first line of treatment. Combined oral contraceptives were at one time popular but whether the low-dose, current generation pills are equally effective awaits appropriate trials. Prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors can be useful, with up to a third of women with menorrhagia benefiting from a reduction of between 25% and 35% in blood loss. A proportionally greater reduction is seen in women with more excessive bleeding. Antifibrinolytic drugs have been shown to reduce menstrual blood loss in DUB by 50% and would be useful in women in whom oestrogens are contraindicated. Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogues are highly effective because of their ability to induce amenorrhoea, but long-term use is contraindicated because of their hypo-oestrogenic effects. One other effective therapy for menorrhagia has been danazol.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A comparative study of danazol, a regimen of decreasing doses of danazol, and norethindrone in the treatment of objectively proven unexplained menorrhagia

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to compare the efficacy of the recommended dose of danazol, a reduced-dose danazol regimen, and norethindrone in the treatment of objectively proven menorrhagia. Recurrence after discontinuing treatment was also assessed.

STUDY DESIGN

The study was a single-blind, randomized, parallel, comparative study. After a placebo run-in period over two menstrual cycles, 57 patients with a baseline mean menstrual blood loss of at least 80 ml per cycle were randomly assigned to receive one of three therapies: danazol, 200 mg/day (n = 19) for three menstrual cycles; danazol, 200 mg/day for one cycle, 100 mg/day for one cycle, and 50 mg/day for one cycle (n = 19); and norethindrone, 5 mg three times daily on days 19 through 26 of the cycle for three consecutive cycles (n = 19). Patients in whom treatment was successful (those experiencing blood loss < 80 ml) were entered in the follow-up phase of the study, receiving placebo for a maximum of four menstrual cycles.

RESULTS

The final menstrual blood loss on treatment was significantly less for those patients who received both danazol regimens compared with those who received norethindrone (p = 0.017 for reducing dose danazol vs norethindrone and p = 0.043 for 200 mg of danazol vs norethindrone). Both danazol treatment regimens were significantly more successful in reducing menstrual blood loss to within the normal range than was norethindrone. The reducing-dose danazol regimen was successful in eight of 17 patients (p = 0.027), and 200 mg of danazol was successful in nine of 19 patients (p = 0.029), compared with the two successes of 18 patients treated with norethindrone. Significantly more recipients of 200 mg of danazol than of norethindrone subjectively rated their treatment to be moderately or highly effective (p = 0.033). Both danazol treatment regimens were associated with a higher incidence of adverse events than was norethindrone therapy, although the number of withdrawals were similar and infrequent in the three groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Both danazol regimens were significantly more effective than norethindrone in reducing the excessive menstrual blood loss of women with unexplained menorrhagia. A subjective assessment by patients found that only the 200 mg of danazol was judged to be significantly more effective than norethindrone in controlling the heaviness of menstrual bleeding. The reduced-dose danazol regimen did not appear to markedly diminish the incidence of adverse events compared with the 200 mg of danazol regimen.

Endometrial ablation for dysfunctional uterine bleeding: role of GNRH agonists

OBJECTIVE

To discuss a new alternative to treat patients with dysfunctional uterine bleeding who fail to respond to hormonal treatments, and to outline the role of GnRH analogs in the presurgical preparation of these patients.

METHOD

The causes and various hormonal treatments of dysfunctional uterine bleeding are outlined, and various methods of endometrial ablation, with hormonal and non-hormonal preparations, are reviewed,

RESULT

In endometrial ablation, while hormonal preoperative treatments are more advantageous than no endometrial suppression, GnRH analogs prepare the endometrium better by reducing thickness uniformly, decreasing edema, and avoiding pseudo-decidual reaction usually present with other hormonal treatments.

CONCLUSION

Because success of endometrial ablation seems to correlate with uniform destruction of endometrium and superficial portion of myometrium, thinning of the endometrium hormonally simplifies the procedure, adds in the overall success of endometrial ablation, and reduces additional blood loss by controlling the bleeding preoperatively.

Danazol in the treatment of menorrhagia: the effect of a 1 month induction dose (200 mg) and 2 month's maintenance therapy (200 mg, 100 mg, 50 mg or placebo)

This paper highlights the difficulties of recruiting subjects to objective menstrual blood loss (MBL) studies. Such difficulties may explain the relative paucity of such studies in the literature. Eleven women with objectively assessed evidence of menorrhagia were treated for 1 month with an induction dose of 200 mg of danazol (Danocrine). Subsequently the women were randomly assigned to receive 50, 100 or 200 mg of danazol or placebo for 2 months of maintenance dosing. Follow-up with objective assessment of MBL was continued for 3 months after cessation of maintenance dosing. Danazol 200 mg as an induction dose significantly reduced MBL. The maintenance dose of 200 mg during the following 2 months produced a further decrease in MBL and in some cases amenorrhoea. The lower maintenance dosages of 50 mg and 100 mg were associated with a variable response. The study was unable to determine whether any beneficial effect of the maintenance dosages of danazol could be maintained following cessation of therapy since the study numbers had become too small. It appears, however, that there is unlikely to be any persisting benefit once therapy has ceased.

The combination of a depot gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonist and cyclical hormone replacement therapy for dysfunctional uterine bleeding

OBJECTIVE

To observe if a combination of a depot GnRH agonist and cyclical hormone replacement therapy decreases menstrual blood loss.

DESIGN

An open, observational study comparing the objective assessment of menstrual blood loss before, during and after 3 months treatment.

SUBJECTS

20 women with a subjective complaint of heavy menstrual loss in whom no cause could be discovered.

INTERVENTIONS

Each woman received 3 months of depot goserelin (Zoladex) combined with cyclical hormone replacement therapy (Cyclo-Progynova, 1 mg). Menstrual loss and symptoms were assessed before, throughout and after the study.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Changes in objective and subjective assessments of menstrual blood loss and the acceptability of the treatment.

RESULTS

The median pretreatment menstrual loss was 68 ml (range 23-397). Only 8 (40%) of the patients had a loss exceeding 80 ml per period. The median blood loss was 30 ml, 16 ml, and 17 ml in the three treatment cycles (P less than 0.001 Wilcoxon rank sum for the third cycle). There was a significant decrease in the median length of menstruation (P less than 0.001) and the number of towels or tampons (P less than 0.01) used per period in the third treatment cycle. There was a significant decrease (P less than 0.005) in the number of women complaining of dysmenorrhoea, premenstrual symptoms, flooding and the passage of clots. Seventeen patients experienced hot flushes. Eighteen of the 20 patients were completely satisfied with the treatment and would have been happy to continue with it for longer than 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of a depot gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonist and cyclical hormone replacement therapy is a successful and acceptable treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding.

A comparative study of danazol and norethisterone in dysfunctional uterine bleeding presenting as menorrhagia

This randomized open study compared the efficacy and safety of norethisterone, 5 mg three times a day from day 19 to 26, and danazol, 200 mg daily, in the treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding presenting as menorrhagia. Clinical criteria were employed to confirm the diagnosis, and subjective assessment of the condition was performed during one pre-treatment and three treatment cycles. Fourteen patients commenced norethisterone and 10 danazol. Bleeding intensity scores were significantly lower with danazol than with norethisterone, and patients assessed their blood loss to be significantly less with danazol than with norethisterone. Associated symptoms of backache and abdominal pain were improved to a similar degree by both treatments. Adverse reactions were reported with similar frequency and were of a similar nature in both treatment groups.

Risk-benefit assessment of drugs used for the treatment of menstrual disorders

This article considers the benign yet debilitating conditions of menorrhagia, dysmenorrhoea and irregular menstrual bleeding. Surprisingly little has been reported in the literature concerning these common ailments which can detract from the quality of female life during the reproduction years. Both dysmenorrhoea and menorrhagia are subjective complaints, but despite accurate means of measuring menstrual blood loss such quantification is rarely performed. This lack of diagnostic accuracy is a cause for concern, especially as both medical and surgical treatment are not without risk. The therapeutic alternatives which are commonly prescribed in an attempt to rectify such menstrual disorders are discussed. These include the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, the combined oral contraceptives, danazol, progestogens, antifibrinolytics, haemostatics, luteinising hormone releasing hormone analogues and clomiphene. The results of clinical trials which have utilised these various agents are considered in terms of both the effectiveness of treatment and its potential adverse effects.

Randomized trial of 2 hormonal and 2 prostaglandin-inhibiting agents in women with a complaint of menorrhagia

A series of 45 ovulatory women with a complaint of menorrhagia were randomized into 3 treatment groups, before receiving therapy with mefenamic acid in 2 cycles and 1 of 3 other agents in 2 cycles: naproxen (group 1; n = 14), a low dose monophasic combined oral contraceptive (group 2; n = 12) or low dose danazol (group 3; n = 12). Menstrual blood loss was measured in 2-4 control cycles and during therapy. Mefenamic acid reduced measured blood loss by 20%; 38%; and 39% in groups 1-3 respectively. Naproxen reduced blood loss by 12%; the oral contraceptive by 43%; and danazol by 49%. There was no statistically significant difference in blood loss reduction (mean of 2 cycles) between any of the treatments, although women on danazol experienced a dramatic and highly significant further reduction in blood loss after the first treatment cycle (p less than 0.003). These were all effective therapies in a majority of women, but some 'non-responders' were seen in each group. The 'non-responders' had a significantly lower pretreatment blood loss than responders. Several women in group 1 showed anomalous responses to prostaglandin inhibitors with consistent and substantial exacerbation of menorrhagia during therapy. A number of reasonable therapies exist for the medical treatment of menorrhagia, but because none is suitable for everyone management needs to be individualized for each patient.

Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device in the treatment of menorrhagia

In 20 women with menorrhagia (greater than 80 ml blood loss per menstrual period) a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device (Lng-IUCD) was inserted. Menstrual blood loss (MBL) was measured in two consecutive cycles before the device was inserted and after 3, 6 and 12 months of use. MBL was significantly reduced after 3 months (86%) and after 12 months the reduction was 97%. There was a significant increase (P less than 0.001) in serum ferritin during the first year of Lng-IUCD use. The Lng-IUCD seems to be an important alternative to oral medication and to hysterectomy in the treatment of menorrhagia.

Comparison between mefenamic acid and danazol in the treatment of established menorrhagia

Forty women with established menorrhagia were treated with either mefenamic acid (500 mg thrice daily for 3-5 days in two cycles) or danazol (100 mg twice daily for 60 days) in an open parallel group randomized study. Mefenamic acid reduced mean menstrual blood loss from 160 ml to 127 ml (20%, P less than 0.01). Danazol reduced mean menstrual loss from 163 ml to 65 ml (60%, P less than 0.001). The percentage reduction in menstrual blood loss was significantly greater in the danazol group than in the mefenamic acid group, but the adverse side-effects occurred significantly more often in the danazol group (75%) than in the mefenamic acid group (30%, P less than 0.005). Overall, approximately half the women in each group were prepared to continue with the treatment they received to reduce their menstrual bleeding.

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding

The diagnosis of DUB is made by the exclusion of organic disease as a cause of the abnormal menses; the condition accounts for about 80% of cases of menorrhagia. Of these, over 80% will have no abnormality of the hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian axis, and it is likely that the disorder is the result of local endometrial factors. There appears to be not only a preponderance of vasodilatory prostaglandins in the endometrium of women with menorrhagia, but also an excessive increase in fibrinolytic activity within the uterine cavity. Once a diagnosis has been reached with the aid of history, examination, haematological and endocrine investigations, and dilatation and curettage when appropriate, medical treatment is the usual first line approach. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as mefenamic acid, or antifibrinolytic agents such as tranexamic or epsilon aminocaproic acids, will reduce blood loss by between 25 and 50%. Though the former drugs are relatively free from side-effects in healthy women, intracranial thrombosis has been reported with the latter (Agnelli et al, 1982). Medications which suppress ovarian function, such as danazol or gonadotrophin releasing hormone analogues, are highly effective in lessening, or inhibiting, menstrual loss, but at the expense of side-effects and convenience respectively. The combined contraceptive pill may reduce blood loss by 50% but is not appropriate for older women. Cyclical gestagens such as norethisterone have been widely employed, particularly for the treatment of anovulatory cycles, but their place in the management of ovulatory DUB is less clear. If medical treatment fails hysterectomy should be considered, though less invasive surgical methods of endometrial ablation are being developed. Finally, it should be remembered that in the absence of associated signs or symptoms of iron-deficiency anaemia, heavy menstrual bleeding is a subjective complaint and up to 50% of women describing menorrhagia will have a measured monthly blood loss within normal limits.

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding in ovulatory women

Ovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB), a disease prevalent in the latter half of the reproductive years, is diagnosed when organic causes for bleeding have been excluded by clinical, laboratory, and surgical diagnostic means. Disordered prostaglandin metabolism within the endometrium explains most cases of DUB. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, oral contraceptives, and oral progestin are effective medical alternatives for women who wish to retain their uterus or to avoid surgery. Hysterectomy is a rapid cure for DUB and is a therapy that is acceptable to many, if not most, women.