A randomized controlled trial of treatment options for troublesome uterine bleeding in Implanon users

Abstract

BACKGROUNDPilot data have indicated that both doxycycline alone and mifepristone combined with ethinyl estradiol (EE) are effective in stopping episodes of bleeding in Implanon users with troublesome bleeding. We compared four treatments against a placebo in Implanon users and tested whether repeated treatment improved subsequent bleeding patterns.METHODImplanon users aged 18-45 years were randomized to treatment with (i) mifepristone 25 mg given twice on day 1 followed by 4 days of EE 20 g; (ii) doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 5 days; (iii) mifepristone 25 mg given twice on day 1 plus doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 5 days; (iv) doxycycline 100 mg twice daily with EE 20 g daily; and (..