Boots pharmaceuticals launches Cyklo-F heavy period relief tablets

Boots Pharmaceuticals has launched a new treatment, Cyklo-F Heavy Period Relief 500mg Tablets, which contains tranexamic acid, for the reduction of heavy menstrual bleeding over several cycles in women aged between 18 and 45 years with regular cycles.

The new treatment is part of the Boots Pharmaceuticals range, and will be available throughout Boots stores in the UK from 15 February 2011.

Research shows that as many as 5.4 million women in the UK suffer with heavy menstrual bleeding. Of these, almost half (49%) are severe and regular sufferers[1].

Excessive bleeding, also known as heavy menstrual bleeding, causes significant problems and inconveniences for women, often interfering with their physical, emotional and material quality of life[2]. Sufferers feel that it affects them negatively, and that it often causes them embarrassment and places a strain on relationships, with their lives effectively going on hold each month1.

GP, Dr Dawn Harper said: 'Doctors define heavy periods or menorrhagia as blood loss of 60 - 80 mls (12 - 16 teaspoons) or more but I am yet to meet a woman who measures her blood loss. In practical terms, if you are prone to flooding, pass lots of clots or need to change your protection very frequently, then chances are your periods are heavy and you should be asking for help.

'Often my patients' heavy periods can be caused by fibroids, endometriosis, hormonal problems and abnormalities of blood clotting but for the majority of cases, the specific cause is not known. We refer to this as ‘dysfunctional uterine bleeding’.

'Heavy periods are very common, with around a third of women describing their periods as heavy, but that doesn’t mean they have to put up with it. Heavy periods may not be life threatening but they are often life changing. There are so many different treatment options available today that no woman should have to put their life on hold for several days a month because of heavy periods.'

Boots Pharmaceuticals Cyklo-F Heavy Period Relief Tablets, a new product in the over the counter (OTC) rangefor Boots Pharmaceuticals, works by reducing menstrual blood loss but not the length of the period, therefore improving the quality of life of the women who suffer with this condition. The tablets contain tranexamic acid, an effective, well-tolerated antifibrinolytic medicine, which works by reducing the menstrual blood loss. All those provided with the product should ensure they read the Product Information Leaflet for further information.

Women often accept their current conditions as normal, without realising that they are suffering from a heavy blood loss[3] i.e. the passage ofmore than 80ml of blood each period[4], andwhich can be easily treated. It has been estimated that only one in 20 women aged 25- 44 years present to their GP requesting treatment for the condition, which means that the majority of women are suffering in silence[5].

Periods are considered heavy when:

• Changes of sanitary protection every 2 hours or more is necessary
• There is a need to use double sanitary protection (i.e. tampons and towels)
• Large blood clots are passed
• Flooding occurs - bleeding through to clothes or bedding
• Sleep is disturbed by the need to change sanitary protection
• The prevention of normal activities (e.g. going out, working, shopping)
• Anaemia, fatigue, dizziness or paleness is present

Blood clots from menstruation are one of the most common causes of anaemia for women in the UK. Taking tranexamic acid can help women feel less tired. Heavy menstrual bleeding can lead to other health related problems that can impact women at other times throughout the remainder of the month.

Robert Gilbert, Director of Boots Pharmaceuticals says: 'We know that a significant number of women are regularly suffering with heavy periods, which is having a knock-on effect on their self-confidence, their lives and their relationships with partners.

'Being able to reduce menstrual blood flow so that women can stop putting their lives on hold every month would have a noticeable positive impact on women with this particular problem. It is concerning that so many women are suffering in silence. We suspect that they put the problem out of their mind when they are not on their period. We urge women to seek help from their GP or pharmacist. There are products available from Boots to help women manage their monthly cycle, including the availability of Cyklo-F.'