Comparison of the efficacy and safety of norethisterone vs combined oral contraceptive pills for the management of puberty menorrhagia

Nita Patel, Shalin Patel, Rohit Damor, Manish Pandya
In: International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology · 2012 · vol. 1(3) , pp. 191 · doi:10.5455/2319-2003.ijbcp003512 · W2126131696
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-09 ⓘ

This study found norethisterone to be more effective and better tolerated than combined oral contraceptive pills for managing puberty menorrhagia.

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⚙ AI-generated deep summary by claude@2026-07, 2026-07-14 · read from full text ⓘ

This randomized study compared norethisterone versus combined oral contraceptive (COC) pills in 60 girls from menarche to age 19 with puberty menorrhagia, assessing changes in health-related quality of life (Menorrhagia Impact Questionnaire), estimated blood loss, and hemoglobin level over three treatment cycles. Both groups showed improved MIQ scores versus baseline, but the norethisterone group had a higher total mean MIQ score after three cycles (21 vs 17) and fewer treatment failures than the COC group. The authors conclude norethisterone was more effective and better tolerated, but the abstract does not detail adverse events, specific blood loss or hemoglobin changes, or provide a sample-size justification. The paper does not explicitly discuss endometriosis or adenomyosis; it was included in the corpus via a keyword match in the upstream search index.

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Abstract

Background: The most common cause of puberty menorrhagia is immaturity of the hypothalamic pituitary ovarian axis. Treatment is directed towards stabilizing the endometrium and treating the hormonal alterations. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of norethisterone and combined oral contraceptive (COC) pills for the management of puberty menorrhagia. Methods: A total of 60 young girls from age of menarche to 19 years with menorrhagia were randomized to receive either norethisterone or COC pills. The end points included change from baseline in health-related quality-of-life parameters, estimation of blood loss and effect on hemoglobin level. Health-related quality-of-life question scores at baseline and after treatment were calculated as mean for norethisterone group and COC pills group. Results: Norethisterone and COC pills treatment groups showed mean improvement in Menorrhagia Impact Questionnaire (MIQ) scores compared to baseline. However, the total mean score was higher in norethisterone group compared to COC pills group after three treatment cycles (21 Vs 17). The treatment failure was less in norethisterone group compared to COC pills group. Conclusions: Use of norethisterone was more effective and better tolerated compared to combined oral contraceptive pills for the management of puberty menorrhagia.
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Keywords

Adolescent, Puberty, Menorrhagia, Progesterone, Heavy menstrual bleeding, Combined Oral Contraceptive (COC)Abstract

Background

The most common cause of puberty menorrhagia is immaturity of the hypothalamic pituitary ovarian axis. Treatment is directed towards stabilizing the endometrium and treating the hormonal alterations. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of norethisterone and combined oral contraceptive (COC) pills for the management of puberty menorrhagia.

Methods

A total of 60 young girls from age of menarche to 19 years with menorrhagia were randomized to receive either norethisterone or COC pills. The end points included change from baseline in health-related quality-of-life parameters, estimation of blood loss and effect on hemoglobin level. Health-related quality-of-life question scores at baseline and after treatment were calculated as mean for norethisterone group and COC pills group.

Results

Norethisterone and COC pills treatment groups showed mean improvement in Menorrhagia Impact Questionnaire (MIQ) scores compared to baseline. However, the total mean score was higher in norethisterone group compared to COC pills group after three treatment cycles (21 Vs 17). The treatment failure was less in norethisterone group compared to COC pills group.

Conclusions

Use of norethisterone was more effective and better tolerated compared to combined oral contraceptive pills for the management of puberty menorrhagia. Metrics

References

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