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Management of heavy menstrual bleeding in Australian general practice: An analysis of BEACH data
Gail Ashworth1, Deborah Bateson2, Helena Britt3
1BSc (Physiotherapy), MPH, Acting Senior Epidemiologist, NSW Ministry of Health, NSW.
Insights
Australian GPs
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- General Practice
- Women's Health
Background:
- The study examines heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) management by Australian general practitioners (GPs) before the 2017 HMB clinical care standard.
- Focuses on HMB treatment trends and prescribing patterns in primary care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the rate and management strategies for heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) by Australian general practitioners (GPs).
- To assess HMB treatment patterns prior to the implementation of the 'Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) clinical care standard'.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from the Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health program.
- Data collection spanned from April 2000 to March 2016, focusing on HMB management.
Main Results:
- GP management of HMB increased over the study period.
- Combined oral contraceptive pills were the most common treatment, except for women aged 45-54.
- Low prescribing/insertion rates for the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) were observed, particularly in younger women.
Conclusions:
- Further education on patient and GP perspectives is needed to increase the uptake of the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS).
- Enhanced understanding and training can promote appropriate use of pharmaceutical treatments for HMB, aligning with clinical care standards.
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.
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