Treatments for menorrhagia evaluated

News release from the National Coordinating Centre for Health Technology Assessment

19 September 2007

New research commissioned by the National Institute for Health Research’s Health Technology Assessment (NIHR HTA) programme is investigating the effectiveness of alternative types of treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia), with the aim of developing a treatment pathway to help doctors decide about the best course of treatment for patients. Researchers will review the existing evidence about the clinical and cost-effectiveness of hysterectomy, the traditional surgical technique, compared with newer, less invasive techniques of endometrial ablation as well as the use of the Mirena coil.

Led by Professor Siladitya Bhattacharya of the University of Aberdeen, researchers will review the existing evidence about hysterectomy, endometrial ablative techniques (microwave endometrial ablation and thermal balloon ablation), and the Mirena coil to establish which is most clinically and cost-effective. They intend to evaluate the long term effectiveness of the different treatments, and using scientific modelling they aim to define a treatment pathway that sets out the most effective course of action, to aid clinical decision making.

“Heavy menstrual bleeding is a common problem in women of child bearing age. Over the last decade a number of less invasive treatments have been developed, with current guidelines now recommending their use before proceeding to hysterectomy. Yet it is thought that many women with menorrhagia suffer in silence because they are afraid that they will need a hysterectomy,” says Professor Bhattacharya. “We aim to evaluate all of the existing evidence to help us to establish the relative effectiveness of the different treatments, and then to develop a clinical algorithm to help guide doctors in delivering the best treatment for their patients.”

To view full details about the project visit www.hta.ac.uk/project/1616.asp

Notes:

  1. Up to 5% of women aged between 30-49 consult their GP about menorrhagia.

  2. In microwave endometrial ablation, a surgeon uses heat to burn away the lining of the womb. In thermal balloon ablation, a surgeon uses a balloon filled with hot water to heat up the lining of the womb and destroy it.

  3. The Mirena coil (also used as a contraceptive) involves the use of a medicated intra-uterine device.

Notes for editors


  1. The HTA programme is a programme of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and produces high quality research information about the effectiveness, costs, and broader impact of health technologies for those who use, manage and provide care in the NHS. It is the largest of the NIHR programmes and publishes the results of its research in the Health Technology Assessment journal, with more than 400 issues published to date. The journal’s 2006 Impact Factor (5.29) ranked it in the top 10% of medical and health-related journals. All issues are available for download free of charge from the website, www.hta.ac.uk The HTA programme is coordinated by the National Coordinating Centre for Health Technology Assessment (NCCHTA), based at the University of Southampton.
  2. The National Institute for Health Research provides the framework through which the research staff and research infrastructure of the NHS in England is positioned, maintained and managed as a national research facility.  The NIHR provides the NHS with the support and infrastructure it needs to conduct first-class research funded by the Government and its partners alongside high-quality patient care, education and training.  Its aim is to support outstanding individuals (both leaders and collaborators), working in world class facilities (both NHS and university), conducting leading edge research focused on the needs of patients. www.nihr.ac.uk

Contact details

Naomi Stockley, Programme Manager (Communications)
Telephone: 02380 595 646, Email: ns5@soton.ac.uk

Helen Nikandrou, Assistant Programme Manager (Communications)
Telephone: 02380 595 584, Email: h.nikandrou@soton.ac.uk

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