Does Tranexamic Acid & Mefenamic Acid Stop Your Period?

If your periods are heavy or uncomfortable, mefenamic acid and tranexamic acid may be prescribed to you in order to decrease your menstrual flow. According to medical website patient.co.uk, tranexamic acid will lessen your menstrual flow but will not decrease the number of days you are bleeding.

Function

• Tranexamic acid and mefenamic acid are part of a class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. Tranexamic acid helps with blood clotting, while mefenamic acid reduces swelling in the uterus, according to the Cytyc article About Heavy Periods.

Effects

• Tranexamic acid or aminocaproic can reduce total blood flow by up to 50 percent, while mefenamic acid can reduce menstrual flow by 30 percent during the time that it is taken.

Debate

• Guy RK Fender conducted a study at the University of Cambridge and found only 4.5 percent of women were given tranexamic acid to control heavy bleeding, even though this recommendation could prevent hysterectomy in some cases.

Considerations

• Although mefenamic acid and tranexamic acid will reduce menstrual flow, they are unlikely to stop your period entirely.

Warning

• Tranexamic acid and mefenamic acid can cause upset stomach and gastrointestinal bleeding. Avoid alcohol and painkillers such as ibuprofen while taking either of these drugs. Follow your doctors instructions.