A comparative study of hysterectomy and conservative treatment of menorrhagia due to dysfunctional uterine bleeding in women of low socioeconomic group

Objectives: this study was conducted to select a better option out of available medical and surgical interventions for treatment of menorrhagia due to dysfunctional uterine bleeding specially in women belonging to low socio-economic group. design & settings: this interventional type of study was conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology,bahawal victoria hospital bahawalpur,the duration of study was one year starting from 07-07-2004 to 06-07-2005. methodology: total 100 cases of menorrhagia due to dysfunctional uterine bleeding were selected on the basis of history,clinical examination and investigations. these patients were divided into two groups of 50 patients each. in-group a surgical intervention hysterectomy was performed and in-group b medical treatment was given for menorrhagia. results: results were compared on the basis of expenses of treatment,duration of hospital stay,number of follow up visits and complications of treatment. the average duration of hospital stay in (group a) was 6 times longer than group b. the expenses of surgical treatment were more than medical treatment. as compared to surgical group,the conservative group required more regular and long-term follow up which showed poor compliance due to financial reasons mainly. more complications were observed in conservative group than surgical group. conclusion: this study concluded that hysterectomy offered better,definitive and permanent cure for menorrhagia due to dysfunctional uterine bleeding as compared to medical treatment,among women (aged 40-45 years) belonging to low socio-economic group due to financial reasons mainly.