Key issues in the management of adolescents and young women with heavy menstrual bleeding

GYNECOLOGY ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 370-376
Author(s):  
Elena V. Uvarova ◽  
Irina А. Salnikova ◽  
Elena P. Khashchenko ◽  
Arina P. Sokolova

Despite high prevalence of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) in adolescents and young women, most recommendations are not specific for this population, which makes the diagnosis and management challenging. Gynecologists should be able to establish underlying causes of HMB, which most common are nonstructural in adolescents, and the severity of bleeding, to provide early diagnosis, using appropriate therapy for improving quality of life and iron deficiency prevention. First line management consists of hormonal therapy approved for HMB treatment, capable to normalize menstrual blood loss and iron metabolism parameters.

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
H Taylor ◽  
J Donnez ◽  
F Petraglia ◽  
K Gemzell Danielsson ◽  
S Renner ◽  
...  

Abstract Study question Are symptomatic improvements in women with UF observed after 24 weeks of linzagolix treatment with or without add-back therapy (ABT) maintained over 52 weeks? Summary answer Improvements in anemia, pain and quality of life previously reported at 24 weeks were maintained at 52 weeks. What is known already We previously reported that partial or full suppression of estradiol (E2) with once daily doses of either 100 or 200 mg linzagolix for 24 weeks, with or without ABT, were effective in reducing heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine fibroids, improving other symptoms such as pain and anemia and improving quality of life. Here we report the maintenance of effect on secondary endpoints after 52 weeks of treatment. Study design, size, duration Linzagolix is an investigational, oral GnRH antagonist being developed to treat HMB due to UF. PRIMROSE 1 (P1, USA, NCT03070899) and PRIMROSE 2 (P2, Europe and USA, NCT03070951) are randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trials, with essentially identical design, investigating the efficacy and safety of linzagolix with and without hormonal add-back therapy (ABT: 1 mg estradiol/0.5 mg norethindrone acetate) once daily for 52 weeks. Participants/materials, setting, methods Participants had HMB due to UF (>80mL menstrual blood loss (MBL)/cycle) and were equally randomized to: placebo, linzagolix 100mg, linzagolix 100mg+ABT, linzagolix 200mg, or linzagolix 200mg+ABT. After 24 weeks, subjects originally randomized to placebo or linzagolix 200mg were switched to linzagolix 200mg+ABT except in P1 where 50% placebo subjects continued placebo until 52 weeks. Secondary efficacy assessments included hemoglobin, pain (0–10 numeric rating scale) and health related quality of life (HRQL) on the UF-QoL questionnaire. Main results and the role of chance P1 trial subjects (n = 526) had a mean age of 42 years, pain score of 6.6 and HRQL total score (0–100) of 36.4 and 63% were Black. P2 trial subjects (n = 511) had a mean age of 43 years, pain score 4.8 and HRQL total score of 46.1 and 5% were Black. Mean baseline MBL was about 200 mL per cycle in both studies. In both trials, significant improvements compared to placebo observed at week 24 for secondary endpoints, including pain, anemia and QoL in all linzagolix treatment groups were maintained at 52 weeks. Mean±SD hemoglobin levels in anemic patients (<12 g/dL) increased from baseline by 1.7±1.9, 1.9±1.7, 2.2±2.4, 2.7±1.9 in P1 and 1.2±1.9, 2.9±1.8, 2.4±2.1, 3.0±1.4 in P2 in the 100mg, 100mg+ABT, 200mg/200mg+ABT, 200mg+ABT groups, respectively, compared to 0.6±1.8 with placebo (P1). Mean±SD change from baseline in pain scores were -3.3±3.1, -2.7±3.2, -2.6±3.0, -3.9±3.2 in P1 and -2.6±3.1, -2.6±2.8, -3.0±2.6, -2.8±3.0 in P2 in the 100mg, 100mg+ABT, 200mg/200mg+ABT, 200mg+ABT groups, respectively, compared to -0.4±2.5 with placebo (P1). Mean±SD change in HRQL total scores were 25.0±26.2, 34.2±30.1, 29.7±29.2, 38.3±29.2 in P1 and 16.8±24.0, 29.6±23.2, 31.9±26.8, 30.7±26.0 in P2 in the 100mg, 100mg+ABT, 200mg/200mg+ABT, 200mg+ABT groups, respectively, compared to 14.6±23.9 with placebo (P1). Limitations, reasons for caution Here we report data in both trials up to 52 weeks of treatment. No statistical comparisons were done at 52 weeks (the primary analysis was done after 24 weeks treatment). Post-treatment follow-up will provide more information in symptom recurrence after stopping treatment. Wider implications of the findings All linzagolix treatments provided sustained benefit. Two regimens previously identified for potential long-term treatment, 200mg with ABT and 100mg without ABT, provided sustained improvements of anemia, pain and associated quality of life. These different treatment regimens could be important to address the diverse needs of women suffering from uterine fibroids. Trial registration number ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03070899, NCT03070951


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 302-311
Author(s):  
Catherine Bergeron ◽  
Philippe Y Laberge ◽  
Amélie Boutin ◽  
Marie-Anne Thériault ◽  
Florence Valcourt ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Endometrial ablation/resection and the levonorgestrel intra-uterine system (LNG-IUS) are well-established treatment options for heavy menstrual bleeding to avoid more invasive alternatives, such as hysterectomy. OBJECTIVE The aim was to compare the efficacy and safety of endometrial ablation or resection with the LNG-IUS in the treatment of premenopausal women with heavy menstrual bleeding and to investigate sources of heterogeneity between studies. SEARCH METHODS We searched the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Web of Science, Biosis and Google Scholar as well as citations and reference lists published up to August 2019. Two authors independently screened 3701 citations for eligibility. We included randomized controlled trials published in any language, comparing endometrial ablation or resection to the LNG-IUS in the treatment of premenopausal women with heavy menstrual bleeding and a normal uterine cavity. OUTCOMES Thirteen studies (N = 884) were eligible. Two independent authors extracted data and assessed the quality of included studies. Random effect models were used to compare the modalities and evaluate sources of heterogeneity. No significant differences were observed between endometrial ablation/resection and the LNG-IUS in terms of subsequent hysterectomy (primary outcome, risk ratio (RR) = 1.13, 95% CI 0.60 to 2.11, P = 0.71, I2 = 14%, 12 studies, 726 women), satisfaction, quality of life, amenorrhea and treatment failure. However, side effects were less common in women treated with endometrial ablation/resection compared to the LNG-IUS (RR = 0.52, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.71, P < 0.001, I2 = 0%, 10 studies, 580 women). Three complications were reported in the endometrial ablation/resection group and none in the LNG-IUS group (P = 0.25). Mean age of the studied populations was identified as a significant source of heterogeneity between studies in subgroup analysis (P = 0.01). In fact, endometrial ablation/resection was associated with a higher risk of subsequent hysterectomy compared to the LNG-IUS in younger populations (mean age ≤ 42 years old, RR = 5.26, 95% CI 1.21 to 22.91, P = 0.03, I2 = 0%, 3 studies, 189 women). On the contrary, subsequent hysterectomy seemed to be less likely with endometrial ablation/resection compared to the LNG-IUS in older populations (mean age > 42 years old), although the reduction did not reach statistical significance (RR = 0.51, 95% CI 0.21 to 1.24, P = 0.14, I2 = 0%, 5 studies, 297 women). Finally, sensitivity analysis taking into account the risk of bias of included studies and type of surgical devices (first and second generation) did not modify the results. Most of the included studies reported outcomes at up to 3 years, and the relative performance of endometrial ablation/resection and LNG-IUS remains unknown in the longer term. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Endometrial ablation/resection and the LNG-IUS are two excellent treatment options for heavy menstrual bleeding, although women treated with the LNG-IUS are at higher risk of experiencing side effects compared to endometrial ablation/resection. Otherwise, younger women seem to present a lower risk of eventually requiring hysterectomy when treated with the LNG-IUS compared to endometrial ablation/resection.


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