[Management of menometrorrhagia in women with and without pregnancy intention: hierarchy of therapies]

J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris). 2008 Dec:37 Suppl 8:S405-17. doi: 10.1016/S0368-2315(08)74781-1.
[Article in French]

Abstract

The first line of treatment recommended for women with idiopathic menorrhagia is pharmaceutical agents, i.e. levonorgestrel intra-uterine device, tranexamic acid, estroprogestatif pills, oral progestin and non-sterodial anti-inflammatory drugs. The second line of treatment is surgical, using endometrial curettage for women who desire pregnancy in the future. On the other hand, in women who no longer intend to get pregnant either endometrial ablation or hysterectomy can be used. The menorrhagia associated with endometrial polyps is treated through the hysteroscopic polypectomy, which result can be improved by the use of the levonorgestrel intra-uterine device or the endometrial ablation. The menorrhagia related to submucosal myomas is managed by hysteroscopic myomectomy, either as a first line of treatment or following the failure of the pharmaceutical management. The first line of treatment of interstitial myomas is represented by the medical management, followed by laparoscopic or abdominal myomectomy for women who still want to be pregnant, and by myomectomy or uterine arteries embolization for women who no longer desire pregnancy. Hysterectomy is the most efficient treatment of menorrhagia due to interstitial myomas, and may be proposed either as a third line of treatment for the myomectomy and embolization failures or as a second line of treatment for women who do not wish to conserve their uterus. Finally, the treatment for women with clinically or radiologically suspected adenomyosis is medical, followed by hysterectomy for women who desire no pregnancy.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal
  • Embolization, Therapeutic
  • Endometrial Hyperplasia / complications
  • Estrogens / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hysterectomy
  • Infertility, Female / etiology
  • Infertility, Female / prevention & control*
  • Leiomyoma / complications
  • Leiomyoma / surgery
  • Leiomyoma / therapy
  • Levonorgestrel / administration & dosage
  • Metrorrhagia / drug therapy*
  • Metrorrhagia / etiology
  • Metrorrhagia / surgery*
  • Polyps / complications
  • Pregnancy
  • Progestins / administration & dosage
  • Tranexamic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Uterine Neoplasms / complications
  • Uterine Neoplasms / surgery
  • Uterine Neoplasms / therapy
  • Uterus / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal
  • Estrogens
  • Progestins
  • Levonorgestrel
  • Tranexamic Acid