An evidence-based guideline for the management of heavy menstrual bleeding

Aims. The objective of this guideline is to provide evidence-based recommen dations for the management of regular heavy menstrual bleeding in women wit h no detectable pathology. Methods. A multidisciplinary working party was formed which met on four occ asions over a 12 month period. The evidence from randomised controlled tria ls was summarised into evidence tables and guidelines were developed. A dra ft report was circulated in November 1997 prior to the final report which w as published in July 1998. Results. A diagnostic and treatment algorithm was produced (Figure 1) as we ll as a full text report. The cost of implementing the guideline was consid ered and overall net savings of $6 million were likely. Conclusions. An explicit evidence-based guideline on the management of heav y menstrual bleeding was produced. Both the Royal New Zealand College of Ob stetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners endorsed this guideline.