The use of norethisterone to suppress menstruation in the intellectually severely retarded woman
Roxburgh, D.R.; West, M.J.
Medical Journal of Australia 2(7): 310-313
1973
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-729X PMID: 4746398 DOI: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1973.tb128175.xDocument Number: 503602
Norethisterone (Primolut-N) in an oral dose of 5 mg daily was given to 118 intellectually retarded women for periods of two to 30 months. A retrospective study showed that this dose of norethisterone was effective in producing amenorrhoea in 86% of the women. In those women (14%) in whom bleeding cccurred, it tended to recur at intervals of one to two months. In general, the bleeding was no more than that in a normal period. However, in three patients the bleeding, because of its severity or frequency, caused concern. No other side effects of the norethisterone were noted. The use of norethisterone was found to ease significantly the burden of nursing these severely retarded women. The metabolic effects and some of the possible dangers of long-term norethisterone therapy are discussed.