Comparison of the Effect of Mefenamic Acid and Quince on the Level of Menstrual Bleeding and Hemoglobin: a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Menorrhagia is a common condition in women and is diagnosed in almost 30% of women. This study was conducted to compare the effect of mefenamic acid with that of quince on the level of menstrual bleeding and quality of life (primary outcomes) and menorrhagia severity and hemoglobin level (secondary outcomes). Methods & Materials: This triple-blind randomized controlled clinical trial was performed on 146 women with heavy menstrual bleeding in Tabriz, Iran. The participants were divided into two groups, 72 participants in quince group and 74 in mefenamic acid group, through block randomization. The first and the second groups respectively received one 250 mg quince pill and one 500 mg mefenamic acid pill every 6 hours from the first to the fifth day of menstruation for three consecutive cycles. The participants completed the menorrhagia questionnaire and 36-item Short Form Quality of Life Questionnaire (SF-36) before and three months after the intervention. The participants completed the pictorial blood loss assessment chart (PBAC) before the intervention and for three consecutive months after the intervention. The level of hemoglobin was measured before and three months after the intervention. Results: Six women from the quince pill group and four from the mefenamic acid pill group were excluded. The mean score of PBAC, SF-36, menorrhagia and level of hemoglobin before the intervention of one group did not significantly differ from those of the other group (P>0.05). After the intervention, the mean PBAC and menorrhagia scores decreased significantly in both groups. Also, the quality of life and level of hemoglobin increased in both groups after three months. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in this regards (P>0.05). Conclusion: The results show that the quince pill is effective in reducing the menstrual bleeding and improvement of the the quality of life and increasing the level of hemoglobin as much as mefenamic acid. Therefore, it seems that the quince pill could be an appropriate alternative for mefenamic acid due to its fewer side effects.