• Becky Naoulou and Ming C Tsai.
• Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
• Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2012 May 1; 91 (5): 529-37.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of tranexamic acid in the treatment of idiopathic and non-functional heavy menstrual bleeding.DesignSystematic review.PopulationWomen with a diagnosis of idiopathic and non-functional heavy menstrual bleeding treated with tranexamic acid.MethodsElectronic searches were conducted in literature databases up to February 2011 by two independent reviewers. We included all trials involving the efficacy of tranexamic acid for the treatment of heavy uterine bleeding. Pregnant, postmenopausal and cancer patients were excluded.Main Outcome MeasuresEffect of tranexamic acid treatment on objective reduction of menstrual bleeding and improvement in patient quality of life.ResultsA total of 10 studies met our inclusion criteria. Available evidence indicates that tranexamic acid therapy in women with idiopathic menorrhagia resulted in 34-54% reduction in menstrual blood loss. Following tranexamic acid treatment, patient's quality-of-life parameters improved by 46-83%, compared with 15-45% for norethisterone treatment. When compared with placebo, tranexamic acid use significantly decreased the blood loss by 70% in women with menorrhagia secondary to an intrauterine device (p<0.001). Limited evidence indicated potential benefit in fibroid patients with menorrhagia. No thromboembolic event was reported in all studies analyzed.ConclusionsAvailable evidence indicates that tranexamic acid treatment is effective and safe, and could potentially improve quality of life of patients presenting with idiopathic and non-functional heavy menstrual bleeding. Data on the therapeutic efficacy of tranexamic acid in patients with symptomatic fibroids are limited, and further studies are therefore needed.© 2012 The Authors Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica© 2012 Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

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