Treatment for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: The 3 Best Medications

We all recognize it: the familiar twinge of pain below our stomach, causing deep and impenetrable pain. For most women, periods are just a passing nuisance that makes bathroom breaks (and a trip to the vending machine)
more frequent. But for women with menorrhagia, a condition that causes heavy period bleeding, these breaks can be as frequent as once per hour.



Women who experience heavy menstrual bleeding are not alone. According to CNN.com, nearly ten million women also experience heavy menstrual bleeding, dampening their ability to work or play comfortably. But several drugs, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), aim to lessen the heavy bleeding caused by their menstrual cycles.

Treatments for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Novasure Treatment: This outpatient procedure is performed by inserting a wand into the cervix, which blasts energy onto the uterine lining for around 90 seconds. The result? Complete removal of the uterine lining, which they claim dramatically reduces or eliminates heavy bleeding. According to their statistics, 95 percent of women eliminated their menstrual bleeding completely, whereas 64 percent also experienced less menstrual pain.

Although Novasure also has its side effects, it is generally considered safer compared to other surgical treatments, including a hysterectomy. It can decrease a woman's ability to get pregnant, however, and can increase the risk of pregnancy-related complications.

Levonorgestrel IUD Treatment: Better known as Mirena, this birth control device is inserted into the cervix to provide continuous protection against pregnancy. The FDA approved it for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding in October 2009 after patients reported it stopped their menstrual cycle. Medscape reports this is mostly true: 85 percent decreased their menstrual bleeding by half while using Mirena. It can cause unwanted side effects, however, including pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea (severe menstrual pain) and irregular spotting.

Lysteda Treatment : This non-hormonal drug was first prescribed in 1986 to stop bleeding in people with hemophilia during dental procedures, helping to control excessive bleeding. Recently scientists discovered it also
reduced heavy menstrual bleeding in women, which led to its approval for the treatment of heavy menstrual cycles in November 2009.

Like Mirena, Lysteda also carries some risks, and can increase the risk of blood clots, heart attack or stroke. This risk also increases if women are already undergoing hormonal treatment, such as using birth control or hormone shots to prevent pregnancy. It can also cause pain in the abdomen, back, joints and muscles.

Are These Treatments Right for Me?

Like most treatments, Novasure, Mirena and Lysteda all carry significant risks. While they may treat heavy menstrual cycles, they can also decrease your fertility or cause additional pain. Women over 35 may not be eligible to use these treatments, either. Your physician can determine the best and safest treatment for you.