Control of bleeding due to IUDs by a prostaglandin biosynthesis inhibitor.

To explore the possible clinical use of prostaglandin inhibitors in the control of IUD complications, 70 women with bleeding problems due to IUDs which had been inserted for at least 6 months were given indomethacin, a prostaglandin inhibitor. 25 others were given a placebo. Patients with active bleeding were immediately given the drug for 3 days; others were instructed to use it 2 days before and 2 days after menstruation. The dosage was 1 capsule (25 mg) orally 3 times a day. 90% of the menorrhagic test subjects had a satisfacory outcome (arrest of bleeding within 48 hours), as did 95% of the women with intermenstrual bleeding and 95% of those taking indomethacin prophylactically. .01). The main drawback of indomethacin use is gastric upset; rectal suppositories might reduce the incidence of this side effect. In addition, since the IUD is not 100% effective against pregnancy, there is a risk of exposing a fetus to the drug early in gestation.