Comparison of the effect of mefenamic acid and quince on the level of menstrual bleeding and hemoglobin: A randomized controlled clinical trial

IntroductionMenorrhagia is a common condition occurring in almost 30% of women. This study was conducted to compare the effects of mefenamic acid and quince on menstrual bleeding and hemoglobin levels in women.Materials and methodsThis triple-blind randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 146 women with heavy menstrual bleeding residing in Tabriz, Iran. Participants were divided into two groups through block randomization; one group was treated with quince (n = 72) and the other with mefenamic acid (n = 74). The quince group received a 250 mg dose of quince pill and the other group received a 500 mg dose of mefenamic acid pill every 6 h from their first day of menstruation to the fifth for three consecutive periods. Participants completed the menorrhagia questionnaire before and three months after the intervention and their hemoglobin levels were also measured before and three months after the intervention.ResultsThe mean scores obtained on the menorrhagia scale and the mean hemoglobin levels did not differ significantly between the two groups before the intervention (P > 0.05). After the intervention, however, the mean score obtained on the menorrhagia scale decreased significantly in both groups while their hemoglobin levels increased. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of these variables (P > 0.05).ConclusionThe results of the study show that quince pill is equally effective in reducing menstrual bleeding and increasing hemoglobin levels as mefenamic acid. Quince pill thus appears to be an appropriate alternative for mefenamic acid due to its fewer side effects.