Menstrual disturbances in perimenopausal women: What's best?

Abstract

It's best to start with nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which effectively reduce heavy menstrual bleeding (strength of recommendation [SOR]: B, systematic review of randomized clinical trials [RCTs]). Perimenopausal women with heavy bleeding not controlled by NSAIDs, or other forms of dysfunctional uterine bleeding, can benefit from continuous, combined hormonal therapy with estrogen and progestin; hormonal therapy with estrogen and a cyclical progestin; or a cyclical progestin alone (SOR: B, RCTs and a systematic review of RCTs). Intrauterine devices (IUDs) containing levonorgestrel also effectively reduce bleeding and may avoid surgical intervention (SOR: B, systematic review of RCTs).