The efficacy, side-effects and continuation rates in women with symptomatic endometriosis undergoing treatment with an intra-uterine administered progestogen (levonorgestrel): a 3 year follow-up

Abstract

Intrauterine progestogen is effective in symptom control throughout the 3 years on the device, and discontinuation is greatest between 3 and 6 months. For those patients with improvement in symptoms, it is an acceptable long-term alternative.

Role of levonorgestrel releasing intrauterine device in management of heavy menstrual bleeding: a conservative approach

“…15 Lockhat et al found significant improvement (P <0.05) in severity and frequency of pain and menstrual symptoms in 85% of patients. 16 In a study by Garg et al there was a significant reduction in the dysmenorrhea associated with adenomyosis after LNG-IUS insertion and pain reduced further with duration of treatment.…”

“…Along with the high contraceptive efficacy, LNG-IUS has shown benefits and improvement of symptoms in menorrhagia, adenomyosis and endometriosis. 4,5 LNG-IUS device has also been found to be cost-effective with less side effects and to increase the quality of life (QOL). 6 The QOL of women treated with the LNG-IUS is markedly improved, causing high levels of patient satisfaction.…”

Pharmacologic therapies in endometriosis: a systematic review

“…Eighty percent of removals took place within the first year after insertion and were determined mainly by persistent pain, although irregular bleeding and weight gain were also reported (179,180). Longer follow-up periods of up to 3 years revealed a statistically significant reduction in dysmenorrhea scores, with up to 87.5% of patients who maintained the device reporting improvement in pain according to a visual analogue scale (VAS) (180,181). In addition, the reduction in quantified menstrual loss was statistically significant from the third month of treatment onward (181).…”

Using Contraceptives for Gynecologic Conditions

“…In a study of 34 women with laparoscopically confi rmed endometriosis who subsequently used an LNG-IUD, among subjects followed for 3 years, most experienced a reduction in pain [ 40 ]. However, 40 % of subjects withdrew from the study due to persistent pain, bleeding, or weight gain.…”