Volume 179 - Issue 8
Update on treatment of menstrual disorders
Authors: Martha Hickey and Cynthia M Farquhar
Med J Aust 2003; 179 (8): 454-455. || doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2003.tb05639.x
Published online: 20 October 2003
Published online: 20 October 2003
Martha Hickey,* Cynthia M Farquhar†
* Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Western Australia, King Edward Memorial Hospital, 374 Bagot Road, Subiaco, WA 6008; † Associate Professor in Reproductive Medicine, National Women's Hospital, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. mhickeyATobsgyn.uwa.edu.au
In reply: Eizenberg is correct in stating that the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system Mirena is currently licensed as a contraceptive in Australia and not explicitly for treatment of menstrual disorders. He is also correct in stating that vaginal hysterectomy would be a management option for Cases 1 and 2 in our article.1
However, the purpose of our article was to explore newer options in management of menstrual disorders. This does not mean that “traditional” therapies such as hysterectomy are to be overlooked or superseded, and we did not attempt to compare the new therapies with hysterectomy. Dysfunctional uterine bleeding, although disruptive, is a benign condition, and treatment is symptomatic. We believe that women should be aware of all available therapeutic options, including hysterectomy, so that they can reach an informed decision.
References
- Hickey M, Farquhar CM. Update on treatment of menstrual disorders. Med J Aust 2003; 178: 625-629. CGFDDIAJ