Don’t wait to offer oral treatments for heavy menstrual bleeding, says new GP guidance

Associate Professor Liz Marles said it was vital for GPs to take a menstrual history during health checks.
Associate Professor Liz Marles.

Women with heavy menstrual bleeding should be offered hormonal or non-hormonal oral treatment “at first presentation” rather than waiting until investigations are complete, according to updated guidance.

The 2024 Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Clinical Care Standard also suggests that patients could be offered a 52mg levonorgestrel-releasing IUD, provided there is no malignancy or other significant pathology.