Medications for Menstrual Disorders

Common name: tranexamic acid

This medicine may be given to lessen menstrual flow and cramps.

Problems may be:

• Headache
• Sinus and nasal problems
• Belly pain
• Muscle and joint pain
• Muscle cramps
• Anemia
• Fatigue

Oral progestins are taken during the premenstrual phase of the menstrual cycle. They can help prevent heavy bleeding. They are most helpful when taken for 21 days of each cycle.

Common names are:

• Medroxyprogesterone
• Norethindrone acetate
• Norgestrel/estradiol
• Natural progesterone

Problems may be:

• Weight gain
• Mood changes
• Breast tenderness
• Headaches
• Acne
• Spotting

Common name: levonorgestrel-releasing IUD system

An IUD may be used for up to 5 years. It helps reduce heavy bleeding. It releases progestin mainly into the uterus and cervix.

Problems may be:

• Irregular bleeding during the first 6 months
• Nausea
• Bloating

Common names are:

• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen sodium

Certain NSAIDs can lessen heavy bleeding and ease swelling.

Problems may be:

• Belly pain, cramps, or discomfort
• Heartburn
• Indigestion
• Nausea and vomiting

Common names are:

• Desogestrel/estradiol
• Ethynodiol/estradiol
• Gestodene/estradiol
• Levonorgestrel/estradiol
• Norethindrone acetate/estradiol
• Norethindrone/estradiol
• Norethindrone/mestranol
• Norgestimate/estradiol
• Norgestrel/estradiol

Birth control pills are often used to treat PCOS. This may be an underlying cause of amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea (too few periods).

Problems may be:

• Belly pain
• Nausea
• Swelling
• Weight gain
• Mood changes
• Breast tenderness
• Spotting between periods

Progestogen is available in many forms, such as oral pills, injections, IUD, and vaginal gel. Common names are:

• Oral pills—medroxyprogesterone acetate, norethindrone, levonorgestrel, megestrol acetate
• Injection—medroxyprogesterone acetate
• IUD—levonorgestrel
• Vaginal gel—progesterone

Progestogen may be used when the ovaries are producing estrogen. Women with an intact uterus who choose estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) must also take it. It can lower the risk of uterine cancer from taking ERT alone. Progesterone or progestin (synthetic progesterone) is available as replacement therapy.

Problems may be:

• Fluid retention
• Weight gain
• Headache
• Mood changes

Common names are:

• Oral pills (may be 1 pill or 2 separate pills of estrogen and progesterone)—conjugated equine estrogens and medroxyprogesterone acetate, conjugated equine estrogens and medroxyprogesterone acetate, ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone acetate, 17-beta estradiol and norethindrone acetate
• Skin patch—17-beta-estradiol and norethindrone acetate

Birth control pills are the most common treatment, but some healthcare providers suggest using HRT (estrogen and progesterone) for women with health problems like premature ovarian failure.

Problems may be:

• Uterine bleeding or spotting
• Fluid retention
• Sore breasts
• Headache
• Mood changes

Common names are:

• Bromocriptine
• Cabergoline

These medicines are used to treat amenorrhea that is due to excessive secretions of the hormone prolactin, a hormone related to pituitary tumors. Birth control should be used when taking this medicine.

Problems may be:

• Light-headedness, especially upon standing
• Nausea