Treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding with danazol

Twenty-six women completed a 6-month course of treatment with danazol (at various dosages between 200 and 800 mg daily) for menorrhagia due to dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Objective measurements of menstrual blood loss (MBL) were undertaken in 9 women, while the remainder merely recorded a detailed prospective but subjective menstrual calendar. A very substantial decrease in blood loss was recorded by all women, and the majority of women on 400-800 mg daily developed amenorrhoea by 3 months. Six women experienced episodes of prolonged or frequent bleeding or spotting throughout the 6 months. Three women used 200 mg daily throughout with a mean measured MBL falling from 95.3 ml to less than 14 ml per month after 2 months therapy. This may become a valuable therapy for menorrhagia for women requiring temporary medical management. However, possibilities for long-term therapy may be limited in some women by side-effects and metabolic effects.