Comparing the Effects of Tranexamic Acid and Mefenamic Acid in IUD-induced Menorrhagia: Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Intrauterine device (IUD) is a safe and efficient method for preventing pregnancy favored by many women. Menorrhagia is the most common complication of using copper IUD. We aimed to compare the effect of tranexamic acid and mefenamic acid on the reduction of copper IUD-induced menorrhagia. Methods In this randomized controlled trial, 84 women who were using IUD (TCu-380) with complaints of menorrhagia were randomly divided into two equal groups (mefenamic acid and tranexamic acid). The pictorial blood assessment chart (PBAC) was used to measure their bleeding rate. These groups used the capsules in two consecutive cycles and PBAC chart was completed for the samples in three consecutive cycles. The results were analyzed using statistical tests and SPSS software. Results Tranexamic acid significantly reduced the amount of bleeding compared with mefenamic acid in the first cycle (P < 0.05). A significant difference was seen in mean bleeding days in the two groups before and after treatment during the first month (P < 0.05). In the second cycle, both drug treatments were equally influential on the reduction of bleeding days and decreased the bleeding period. In both groups, a significant difference was observed between the first and second cycles of treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusion Treating IUD-induced menorrhagia (TCU380) using tranexamic acid was more effective than mefenamic acid in emergency setting for reducing bleeding days and amount of bleeding. Also, it had faster treatment effects in decreasing the amount and number of bleeding days.