Ibuprofen prevents IUCD-induced increases in menstrual blood loss

Abstract

To study the effects of a copper-releasing intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) and a prostaglandin (PG) synthesis inhibitor, ibuprofen, on menstrual blood loss, 28 healthy women received either a Fincoid 350 or a ML Cu375 device and were then treated in a double-blind randomized manner with ibuprofen (1200 mg daily) or a placebo during their next three menstruations. The preinsertion menstrual blood loss (2 cycles) was normal for healthy women (median 38 ml) with no difference between women who subsequently received either Fincoid 350 or ML Cu375 and ibuprofen or placebo treatment. The median increase in menstrual blood loss after the insertion of an IUCD was 74% (P less than 0.01) in women receiving placebo treatment, and this rise was not dependent on the type of IUCD. Ibuprofen treatment prevented the increase in blood loss following IUCD insertion, but it failed to shorten the duration of menstruation. Four women reported side-effects (tiredness, irritability, sweating, dyspepsia) during ibuprofen treatment, and two women did so during placebo treatment. It is concluded that IUCDs with a large copper surface also increase menstrual blood loss, but that this increase can be prevented with ibuprofen treatment.