CHRISMED Journal of Health and Research: Published on 2019

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) is excessive uterine bleeding which is not attributed to pregnancy or any detectable uterine or systemic pathology. 

Patients suffering from DUB commonly complain about heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), irregular bleeding, spotting between periods, or spotting after sex. About 17.9% of Indian women suffer from DUB.

Diagnosis of DUB depends on detailed history, clinical examination, estimation of blood loss in menstruation along with complete blood count (CBC), ultrasonography and wherever possible hysteroscopy, biopsy, and magnetic resonance imaging.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

A significant percentage of women in India suffer from dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB), which has a negative impact on physical and social life. Norethisterone and low-dose combined oral contraceptive (COC) pills are used in the treatment of DUB. 

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of norethisterone and low-dose COC pills in reduction of blood loss in DUB.

When the improvement level was compared between the norethisterone and low-dose COC pills, it was found that there was no difference between the efficacies of two methods.

However, when the side effects were evaluated, it was found that the most common side effect of norethisterone was irregular menstrual bleeding and most common side effect of low-dose COC was nausea/vomiting. Considering the patient reported side effects, low-dose COC stands at a better position than the norethisterone.

Conclusion: Norethisterone and low-dose COC pills were found to be equally efficacious in reducing bleeding in DUB. Hence, any one of the drugs can be used in the treatment of DUB according to patients' profile.