NSAIDs Reduce Bleeding and Pain Associated with IUDs

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as naproxen and ibuprofen, can help reduce both pain and menstrual blood loss associated with intrauterine device (IUD) use.

These findings, from a recent Cochrane review conducted by Family Health International with funding from USAID, may have implications for IUD continuation because cramping and heavy menstrual bleeding are among the most common reasons why women stop using IUDs.

The review looked at 15 randomized controlled trials from 10 countries that studied use of NSAIDs as treatment of bleeding or pain associated with IUDs. The review found mixed results when considering trials of prophylactic use of NSAIDs around the time of IUD insertion. The authors encourage the use of NSAIDs as first line therapy when women with IUDs complain of pain and heavy menstrual bleeding, and they added that prophylactic use of NSAIDs around the time of IUD insertion appears unwarranted.

Read more about this review.

Source:

Grimes DA, Hubacher D, López LM, et al. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for heavy bleeding or pain associated with intrauterine-device use. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2006,October 18(4):CD006034.