New Heavy Period Drug

Menorrhagia Most women have a period that lasts from 3 to 5 days. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days, but can range from 21 to 35 days.

Menorrhagia is the term used to refer to heavy menstrual bleeding (more than 80 milliliters of blood/menstrual cycle). According to the FDA, the condition affects about three million women in the U.S. In most cases, the cause is unknown. However, several conditions can trigger the symptoms. Some of the most common causes include: hormone imbalance, ovarian dysfunction (lack of egg production), presence of uterine fibroids or polyps, having an inherited bleeding disorder, use of medications that impair the ability of the blood to clot, having an intrauterine device (IUD), complications of pregnancy and, in rare cases, cancer.

Excessive menstrual flow can be very disruptive to daily activities. Women may need to change sanitary protection hourly. Clothing may be stained from menstrual leakage. Some women stay home from work or school because they are embarrassed by potential leakage or fear they will be unable to get away to replace sanitary protection.

Treating Menorrhagia Traditionally, excessive menstrual bleeding is treated in one of two ways – with medications (like oral contraceptives or hormones) or with surgery (removal of some of the endometrial lining or a hysterectomy). Christine O'Connor, M.D., Gynecologist/Researcher with Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, MD, says some women can’t or don’t want to take oral contraceptives or hormone therapy because it must be taken continually and carries an increased risk for blood clots. Surgery often eliminates the excess bleeding, but can lead to fertility problems, so it’s not a good choice for women who still want children.

Now there’s a new oral treatment for women with menorrhagia, called Lysteda™ (tranexamic acid). The drug works by stabilizing a protein needed for blood to clot. O'Connor says women take it only while they are having their period.

Lysteda was approved by the FDA on November 16, 2009. The drug was first used as an injection drug under the name, “Cyklokapron,” for preventing or reducing blood loss in hemophilia patients having a tooth extraction. Adverse reaction reported by women taking Lysteda include: headache, nasal and sinus problems, stomach or back pain, muscle and joint aches, muscle cramps, fatigue and anemia. The FDA warns that taking oral contraceptives while using Lysteda increases the risk for developing blood clots, stroke or heart attack.

For information about Lysteda: Xanodyne

For general information about menorrhagia: American Congress of Obstetricians and GynecologistsThe National Women’s Health Information Center