Treatment for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Approved.
{script_date format="%m/%d/%Y"}Treatment for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Approved.
Last month, the FDA approved a new treatment for heavy menstrual
bleeding (menorrhea). The medication, which will be supplied as an oral
tablet, is called tranexamic acid (Lysteda). It becomes the first non-hormone
type drug approved for this condition. It was first approved over 20
years ago to prevent bleeding during tooth extractions in persons who
had hemophilia, a hereditary bleeding condition. Researchers indicate
that Lysteda slows menstrual bleeding by stabilizing a protein in the
body involved in blood clotting. Side effects may are reported to include
headache, back pain, muscle cramps, anemia, and fatigue.
Heavy menstrual bleeding is reported to be a problem each year for
approximately 10% or 3 million women of child-bearing age living in the
U.S. Although heavy bleeding is reported by some women who experience
uterine fibroids, it can occur when there is no particular medical
problem present. When it occurs, heavy bleeding often disrupts daily
routines and a reduction in the quality of life, including lost time from
work or school.