Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce bleeding and pain associated with IUD use. NSAIDs should be considered first-line therapy; if NSAIDs are ineffective, tranexamic acid may be considered as second-line therapy. Prophylactic ibuprofen administration with the first six menses after insertion appears unwarranted.
Control of IUD-induced bleeding by three non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduced excessive IUD-induced bleeding. The effect of 3 different oral NSAIDs, namely indomethacin, Alclofenac, and flufenamic acid, on menstrual blood loss (MBL) and pain among women fitted with copper IUDs was studied and compared with a placebo on a randomized single blind basis. Each drug was given to 6 subjects (18 cases) over 2 consescutive cycles and was either preceded or followed by placebo for 2 more cycles. 1/2 of the cases on each drug started placebo medication in the 1st 2 months while the other 1/2 started by the drug. The oral treatment was begun on the 1st day of menstrual bleeding or spotting. Estimation of the daily MBL was done by the alkaline hematin method with mechanical extraction of sanitary pads. The 3 drugs tested in this study induced a significant reduction in MBL: maximum reduction by flufenamic acid medication, less with Alclofenac, and least with indomethacin medication. However, these reductions were not statistically different, and marked improvement in IUD-induced pain was observed under the effect of the 3 drugs.