Tenoxicam versus lynestrenol-ethinyl estradiol treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding cases during adolescence

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of tenoxicam versus lynestrenol-ethinyl estradiol (L-EE) in the treatment of severe cases of dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) during adolescence.

Methods: Forty-eight patients with objective DUB completed a randomized comparative trial of treatment with tenoxicam (20 mg daily, n = 23) or L-EE (1 tablet containing 0.05 mg + 2.5 mg, respectively, 3 times daily, n = 25). Treatment was given during menorrhagia until bleeding ceased. Mean age of the patients was 13.74 +/- 2.1 years (range, 11-18 years).

Results: A significantly higher level of hematocrit (35.9% v 32.6%, t = 2.1, P = 0.0217) and hemoglobin (11.5 v 10.4 g%, t = 1.7, P = 0.0495), and significantly less hospitalization (5.75 v 8.33 days, t = 2.45, P = 0.0106) was seen in the tenoxicam group in comparison to L-EE group after completion of the treatment. Three patients were submitted to curettage and seven to transfusion in the group receiving L-EE, but no patients in the tenoxicam group required these procedures.

Conclusions: Tenoxicam is considered an effective medication for the management of DUB during adolescence.