Management of heavy menstrual bleeding in Australian general practice: An analysis of BEACH data.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVES

The 'Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) clinical care standard' was released in October 2017. The aim of this study was to determine the rate and management of HMB by Australian general practitioners (GPs) prior to release of the Standard.

METHOD: Data collected between April 2000 to March 2016 (inclusive) in the Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health program were analysed for HMB management.

RESULTS

The rate at which GPs managed HMB increased over the study period. The combined oral contraceptive pill was the most frequently prescribed treatment, except among women aged 45-54 years. There were low prescribing/insertion rates of the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) for women aged 25-54 years, and none for patients aged 12-24 years.

DISCUSSION: Improved understanding of patient and GP perspectives, and further education and training, could increase use of the LNG-IUS and other pharmaceutical treatments where appropriate, as recommended by the HMB clinical care standard.